Eilat in Winter: Weather, Sea and Things to Do, Month by Month

Eilat in winter is mild, mostly sunny and rarely wet. The city's tourism site, eilat.city, puts winter averages at about 20°C by day and 10°C at night, and the sea averages around 23°C in December. The one thing that can really disrupt a trip is rare but heavy rain, which can close the roads in and out of town.

Below is what October, November, December and January feel like on average, what is open and when, and what to check before you set off. The temperatures are long-term averages from climate and weather sites, so treat them as a guide, not a forecast.

How warm is Eilat in winter, really?

Climates to Travel describes winter, December to February, as very mild and sunny, with rare rainfall. eilat.city gives winter averages of about 20°C by day and 10°C at night.

Evenings are cooler. Average night-time lows are around 12°C in December and 11°C in January. Climates to Travel also notes that cool spells can bring lows of about 5°C or slightly below, with daytime highs of around 15°C. Pack a warm layer for evenings, even if the forecast looks sunny.

Sources also disagree on when "winter" starts. eilat.city says it lasts about three to four months, from November to February, with January the coldest month. Climates to Travel counts only December to February. Rather than argue about the label, it is more useful to look at each month.

Eilat in winter, month by month

Month	Average air temperature (min-max)	Average sea temperature
October	22.3-33.9°C	about 27°C
November	16.8-28.2°C	about 25°C
December	12.1-23.2°C	about 23-23.5°C
January	10.6-21.6°C	about 20.5-22°C

Air temperatures are from Climates to Travel. Sea temperatures combine theweather.co.il and Climates to Travel, which give slightly different figures.

October: still summer in all but name

With average highs close to 34°C, October is not winter weather. At about 27°C, the sea is at its warmest of these four months. If you plan walks or outings, the cooler hours of the morning and late afternoon will be more comfortable than midday.

November: warm days, milder evenings

Highs average around 28°C and lows around 17°C, so days are noticeably less hot than in October. The sea is still about 25°C.

December: mild days, cool nights

Daytime highs average about 23°C and nights drop to around 12°C. Sunny afternoons can still suit the beach, but you will want a jumper or light jacket once the sun goes down.

Eilat in January

eilat.city names January as the coldest month. Average highs are about 21.6°C and lows about 10.6°C, and the sea averages roughly 20.5-22°C depending on the source. If you are after winter sun in Israel at this time of year, expect mild days and pack for cool evenings.

Can you swim and snorkel in Eilat in winter?

Yes, though the water is cooler than in autumn. In December the average sea temperature is about 23-23.5°C, and by January it is roughly 20.5-22°C. According to theweather.co.il, some swimmers prefer a wetsuit in winter.

If you plan to snorkel, the Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve, run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, publishes separate winter hours. As of October 2026, they are:

• Sunday to Thursday and Saturday: 09:00-17:00
• Friday and holiday eves: 09:00-16:00
• Entry closes one hour before closing time

Check the official site for current hours and prices before you go. If you want to dive rather than snorkel, ask a dive centre directly what you need and what conditions are like on the day.

Desert days out: start early

The nature reserves around Eilat run on winter hours and close in the afternoon, so plan to set off in the morning.

The Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve, also run by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, lies on Route 90 between Yotvata and Samar, 35 km north of Eilat. As of October 2026, its winter hours are 08:30-16:00 Sunday to Thursday and Saturday, and 08:30-15:00 on Fridays and holiday eves. Entry closes one hour before closing time.

Timna Park is another option for a desert day. Opening hours on other websites differ, so go by the park's own site. As of October 2026, it lists opening hours of 08:00-16:00, Sunday to Saturday, and says visitors may stay in the park until sunset. Check the official site for current hours and prices before you drive.

Cooler or grey days: indoor options and shopping

If a cool spell makes the beach less appealing, the Underwater Observatory Marine Park is an option for seeing marine life without getting wet. As of October 2026, it opens seven days a week, 9:00-16:00. Check the park's site for current hours and prices.

Shopping is another option for a cooler day. According to TaxAtlas, many purchases in Eilat are exempt from VAT (Israel's value added tax). If you are unsure how this applies to a particular purchase, ask in the shop.

Winter events: Hanukkah and the winter jazz festival

If you are planning around Hanukkah, see our guide to Hanukkah in Eilat 2026 for the dates, the school break and things to do. We don't repeat those details here.

Music fans may know Eilat for its traditional August jazz festival. According to eilat.city, a winter edition, the Red Sea Winter Jazz Festival, has run alongside it since 2011. Published dates for the next edition differ between sources, so check the official festival site before you plan a trip around it.

Rain and flash floods: what to check before you drive

Rain in Eilat is rare, but heavy winter storms can cause flooding. In one past winter storm, The Times of Israel reported that police closed all highway access to Eilat, and flooding on Route 90 closed the city's northern exit.

This can happen early in the season too. In October 2026, Ynetnews reported that heavy rain was expected around Eilat, the southern Negev and the Arava, with possible road closures.

Before you drive south, or set out on a desert day trip, check:

• Weather warnings from the Israel Meteorological Service (IMS)
• Road-closure updates from the Israel Police

If roads are closed or warnings are in force, follow the instructions in those official updates and change your plans rather than trying to get through.

Practical tips

• Pack in layers. From December, expect mild afternoons and cool evenings, and bring a warmer layer in case of a cool spell.
• Watch Fridays and holiday eves. Both nature reserves above close an hour earlier on those days. Friday is the eve of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest on Saturday.
• Arrive well before last entry. At the Israel Nature and Parks Authority reserves, entry closes one hour before closing time.
• Check before you drive. Look at IMS warnings and police road updates on the day, especially after rain.
• Know your airport. Ramon Airport is 18 km north of Eilat, next to Be'er Ora, and opened on 21 January 2019 (Wikipedia). Check routes and schedules with your airline.
• Confirm hours and prices. Any of the times in this article can change. Use each attraction's official site for current details.

FAQ

Is Eilat warm in winter?

By day, mostly yes. eilat.city gives winter averages of about 20°C by day and 10°C at night, with sunny days. Cool spells can bring lows of around 5°C, so bring a warm layer for evenings.

Can you swim in the sea in Eilat in December?

Yes. Average sea temperatures for December are about 23-23.5°C, depending on the source. Some swimmers prefer a wetsuit in winter.

Does it rain in Eilat in winter?

Rarely, but heavy storms can cause flooding that closes roads in and out of the city. Before driving, check official IMS warnings and police road-closure updates.

Which is better for a warm break: October, November or December?

It depends on how much heat you like. October averages highs near 34°C, November around 28°C and December around 23°C. Over the same period, the sea cools from about 27°C to about 23°C.

Are attractions open shorter hours in winter?

Some are. The Coral Beach and Hai-Bar Yotvata nature reserves have winter hours, with earlier closing on Fridays and holiday eves and last entry an hour before closing. Check each official site for current hours.

Is the Red Sea Winter Jazz Festival in November or February?

Published sources currently disagree about the next edition's dates. Check the official festival site for confirmed dates before booking around it.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Eilat this winter, you are welcome to see our suites. Central Park Residence is a complex of 25 fully equipped holiday apartments in the centre of Eilat, 6 minutes' walk from the sea and next to Eilat's leading shopping and entertainment centres. Each apartment has a full kitchen and a private balcony, which can make a longer winter stay easier. Check-in is from 16:00, and we do not take arrivals on Saturdays. Current prices and availability are on our booking page, or you can ask us on WhatsApp at +972-50-555-1930.