If one of your life goals is to ride in a submarine, here’s your chance. The Yellow Submarine (tel. 37 63 37), leaving from the Observatory dock, takes you on an expensive trip 60 meters down. The 50-minute dive costs MIS 139.50, but frankly you see more from the tanks or out snorkeling.

One of Eilat’s newest attractions is Dolphin Reef (tel. 37 18 46 or 37 34 17, fax 37 59 21), just past the port on the #15 bus. The beautiful beach features dolphin and sea lion shows every hour between 10am and 4pm, as well as non-stop nature films, a bar and a cafeteria. For NIS50, you can swim with the dolphins yourself. (Open daily 9am-5pm. Admission NIS18.)

Eilat is perfectly located for birdwatching, as migratory groups flapping north from Africa stop at the salt ponds north of the lagoon and in the northern fields of Kibbutz Eilot from mid-February through May. More than one million birds of 30 different species have been counted in the area. The International Birdwatching Center (tel. 37 42 76) in the Commercial Center coordinates local tours (US$5 for a walking tour, US$50 for a jeep tour) and educational programs from the GTTO. A birdwatchers’ festival, usually held in late March, features daily excursions,extended trips, lectures, and films. Write to the International Birdwatching Center” Eilat (IBC) at P.O. Box 774, Eilat 88106 for additional information on the festival. (Open Sun.-Thurs. 9am-lpm and 5-7pm, Fri. 9am-lpm.)