“Eilat (pop 55,000) is the southernmost town in Israel, isolated from the rest of Israel by the Negev desert. It is situated on 7 kilometers of Red Sea coastline between the borders of Egypt and Jordan and enjoys spectacular views of the Gulf of Aqaba. Originally a stategic military outpost, Eilat’s first incarnation was as a port, used for importing goods from Asia, such as oil and vehicles. In the 1970s tourists began visiting Eilat, attracted by the coral reefs, sandy beaches and the dry and sunny desert climate. The town began to develop and tourism became its main industry.

Today, the 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) North Beach area is full of hotels with opulent names like Herod’s Palace and Queen of Sheba. The Tayelet promenade extends the length of the beach front and hosts numerous stalls, street artists, restaurants and fashionable shops. The promenade has great views of the bay and each evening is full of tourists strolling its length. The southern beach, which has the coral reefs, is protected by the Israel Nature Reserve Authority. It has many public beaches and excellent scuba diving centers. The Navy and commercial ports are situated between the south and north beaches.” -Wikitravel