Many remember the beaches of the Sea of Galilee as vibrant and crowded, filled with karaoke, barbecues and a leisurely stroll along the stream banks until reaching the water's edge. However, the reality has changed: some beaches are now designated as quiet, the water level has risen, leading to the closure of other beaches, and even a few new beaches have opened.
Israel's top:
Around the Sea of Galilee, there are currently 31 guarded beaches, with rescue services on hand. Eleven of them are in the city of Tiberias, while 15 beaches belong to the Kinneret Municipal Union and are defined as "quiet beaches" where music and the use of amplification systems are prohibited.
Sea of Galilee
(Avi Arish)
Four additional beaches belong to the Emek HaYarden Regional Council, and one to the Migdal Beach Local Council. Some of the beaches are highly organized and offer beachgoers a variety of accompanying services, camping options and even unique attractions.
It is important to note that, according to an Interior Ministry decision, pedestrian access to the guarded beaches operated by the local authorities is free of charge. However, at most beaches, you will be charged for parking.
During the summer vacation period, from June 30th to the end of August, there is an active shuttle service that transports visitors to different beaches around the lake. The shuttle service is free, allowing visitors to save on parking fees. The free shuttle service operates in a regular pattern, covering the entire Sea of Galilee on weekends (Friday and Saturday), and starting from August 18th, it also operates from Sunday to Thursday (Green Line and Blue Line).
Additionally, a shortened free shuttle service operates in the eastern beaches - from Tzemach Junction to Ma'ale Gamla Junction and back to Tiberias - from Sunday to Thursday, starting from July 30th to August 17th (Red Line and Yellow Line).
Amnon Bay Beach
Amnon Bay Beach is situated in the impressive bay on the northern edge of the Sea of Galilee and is particularly popular among families. It’s a “quiet beach” and playing music is prohibited, but barbecuing is allowed.
The beach provides picnic tables, showers, shaded areas with natural tree cover, restrooms (without hot water), and even mobile phone charging stations.
The beach is fully accessible for people with disabilities, including a direct pathway to the waterline and accessible changing facilities. Adjacent to the beach, there are designated camping and lodging areas, as well as a caravan parking lot (without infrastructure connections). Pedestrian entry to the beach is free, but parking requires a fee.
- Free pedestrian entry
- Lifeguard services available
- Quiet beach atmosphere
- Restrooms and showers (without hot water)
- Full accessibility for people with disabilities
- Barbecuing is allowed
- Food kiosk available
- Camping options available
Northern Hukok Beach
A quiet beach located in the northern part of the Sea of Galilee, known as the "Green Beach" due to its prohibition on bonfires and barbecues within its premises, preserving its peaceful ambiance.
The beach features lawns, shaded areas and playgrounds for children. Chairs, sunbeds and tents are available for rent for overnight stays. The beach is fully accessible for people with disabilities, including a direct pathway to the waterline and accessible changing facilities. Pedestrian entry to the beach is free, but parking requires a fee.
- Free pedestrian entry
- Lifeguard services available
- Quiet beach atmosphere
- Restrooms and showers (without hot water)
- Full accessibility for people with disabilities
- Barbecues are prohibited
- Food kiosk available
- Camping options available
Bora Bora Beach
The beach is located in the northern part of the city of Tiberias, at the foot of Mount Reket. Surrounding the beach are natural springs, and it is situated in one of the most pristine and untouched areas remaining around the lake. The Ohana family, who operate the beach, make significant efforts to preserve its natural beauty.
They designed the beach in the original Bora Bora style, inspired by the French Polynesian island in the Pacific Ocean, where the family patriarch resided in the 1980s.
The beach structures are constructed from bamboo and wood, and the numerous shaded areas are meticulously maintained. The beach offers a variety of water sports activities, and occasional beach parties are held on-site. Entry to the beach requires an admission fee.
- Admission fee required
- Lifeguard services available
- Beach atmosphere can be lively
- Restrooms and showers available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Barbecues are prohibited
- Restaurant and food kiosk available
- No camping options available
Ganim Beach
Operated by the Municipality of Tiberias, Ganim Beach spans a wide area of shaded lawns and has undergone significant upgrades totaling approximately NIS 2.5 million ahead of the 2023 bathing season.
The beach is not designated as quiet, but the use of amplification systems is prohibited, and it is forbidden to light barbecues. The beach’s Aqua Fun water park, Israel's first floating water park, features facilities of varying difficulty levels, including trampolines, slides, bouncers, obstacle courses, climbing walls, swings and a water sports play area with water polo, water ball, courier races and more.
In the past, the beach also offered camping options, but at the time of writing this article, they are not available. Admission to the beach is free, but there is an admission fee for the floating water park.
- Free admission (Water Park requires payment)
- Emergency services available
- Beach is not quiet
- Facilities and showers are available
- Full accessibility for people with disabilities
- Barbecuing is prohibited
- Cafeteria available
- No camping options
Degania Beach
Degania Beach, a strip of shoreline spanning over 3,000 square feet with a beachfront stretching about 250 feet, has been revitalized and developed by the Kinneret Municipal Union and funded by Mekorot.
It opened in early 2023 after being closed for extensive construction work, including the establishment of an underground water pipeline as part of a water supply project to the Kingdom of Jordan, in accordance with the peace treaty signed in the 1990s between the two countries.
The beach is strictly prohibited for swimming, primarily intended for peaceful relaxation and its restoration focused on creating a tranquil environment, with the removal of disturbances from the water, construction of rocks and paths, installation of benches, landscaping, and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
The beach also features the first community library located on the lake's shore, offering a unique reading experience against the backdrop of the Sea of Galilee, allowing book enthusiasts to access it at any time of day.
- Free pedestrian entrance
- No lifeguard services available
- Quiet beach
- No facilities and showers
- Full accessibility for individuals with disabilities
- Barbecuing is prohibited
- No cafeteria
- No camping options