Dolphin Reef

Dolphin Reef at the Red Sea resort of Eilat, southern Israel, is a site where a mesh  barrier is constructed, in a horseshoe shape, to define an area of the reef where there is a resident population of “bottlenose” dolphins. The strange fact is that the barrier is not to keep the dolphins inside but to keep snorkelers and divers out of the area (unless they are willing to pay).

 The barrier is certainly not sufficient to keep the dolphins in the enclosure as they can easily jump over the water level tops of the nets. The dolphins probably choose to stay because they get regularly fed but they also choose to interact with visitors to the attraction, snorkelers and divers in guided groups. The feeding is not associated with interaction with people in the water and hence the dolphin encounters are  because of their own curiosity and desire to play. Unless you happen to be very lucky and get an interaction with a randomly encountered dolphins this is possibly one of the most natural dolphin interactions available. Several of the dolphins which regularly attend this site have been born there.

 There are also floating piers and platforms for those who do not want to go in the water and the whole area has a very nice beach. From experience of a dive at the site in the 1990s snorkelers have as much, if not better, chance of a quality dolphin interaction as fully equipped scuba divers. However the interaction is not guaranteed, you pay your money and take your chance.