Find out the different characteristics of Israel’s many beaches and choose the best filming location for your productions in Israel.

Israel has two coastlines; the west has the Mediterranean and the south has the Red Sea. Israel also has shorelines around two lakes that, confusingly, are named as seas; the Sea of Galilee and The Dead Sea.

When looking into beaches filming in Israel, there is an incredible amount of choice on offer. This article will look at the characteristics of the beaches along each of these stretches of water;

The Mediterranean – Israel’s ‘Continental strip’ along the west coast,
The Red Sea – at the Southern most tip of Israel, in Eilat
The Sea of Galilee – in the lush North of Israel
The Dead Sea

Choosing a company involved in production services in Israel will have its own individual focus; historical, travelogue, feature film, short segment, music clip etc. Incorporating beach scenes into your film will certainly add color and atmosphere to your production. Choosing the right beach, however, is vital and each location has its own special feel and geographical features.

1. Filming in Israel

Feature films, music clips and travelogues often try to capture shots of golden, sun drenched beaches and the glistening, azure sea. All four ‘seas’ are great for shooting beach life in Israel; showing both the tourist/locals ‘hot’ spots eisure pursuits of locals. Each beach has its own particular ambiance and this summary should help you to determine the best settings to suit your production in Israel.

Tel Aviv: Gordon and Frishman Beaches plus others. These beaches have a lively atmosphere and are frequented by a mix of tourists and Israelis. They are surrounded by luxury hotels and snack bars, and are filled with tourists, soaking up the sun and frolicking in the sea. Israeli visitors to the beach tend to summon up the energy to play paddleball.

One other beach to point out is the ‘Separated Beach’ in Tel Aviv. As orthodox religious Jews are required to dress modestly in the company of the opposite sex, beach pursuits are somewhat hampered. This beach has allocated days for men and women, so that they can unwind in the company of friends and family and finally get some sun on their skin.

Over the summer you are likely to catch a beach party in Tel Aviv; when holiday makers and locals mingle together, enjoying the cool evening air and the even cooler beer. With the latest summer sounds blasting over the PR system and the beach alive with laughter and chatter, Tel Aviv’s beach parties make memorable, colorful shots. The atmosphere is very different at night and footage would illustrate the young, funky side to Tel Aviv, buzzing with vitality.

If a beach party is not quite the scene you are looking for, how about Drums Beach? Every Friday there are drumming sessions at sunset – a wonderful sound to match a stunning view.

Another great and particularly local activity, is the Israeli circle dancing which takes place on Saturday night, close by to the beach

Netanya has a very similar feel to Tel Aviv. The beach in Netanya is at the bottom of a hill which has been cultivated into attractive gardens, with a winding path that leads down to beach level. Generally, Netanya is less crowded than Tel Aviv but offers similar shots. It also has Israeli circle dancing in its main square, at the top end of the gardens.

Sea of Galilee – Ein Gev, Resort Village Beach. The Sea of Galilee (also known as The Kineret) is a freshwater lake that is warm, yet invigorating. Only guests of the resort are allowed access to this particular beach but it is considered to be the nicest on the Sea of Galilee green lawns and date palm groves that lead onto the sand. This is a peaceful setting which lacks the hyperactivity of Tel Aviv. Further down the coast there are public beaches which also provide wonderful views and offer the shade of long rows of eucalyptus trees.

Dead Sea – Ein Gede and Ein Bokek Beaches. The Dead Sea is a unique, natural phenomenon that cannot be seen or experienced anywhere else in the world.

The Dead Sea is 400 meters below sea level and is famed for being the lowest point on earth. The thermo, mineral-rich springs are renowned for their warmth (an inviting 38°C) and their healing properties. The dense salt content of the sea (ten times that of other waters), creates the added novelty of giving bathers a sense of weightlessness and causes them to float. The combination of the weightless sensation and the warmth of the water results in a truly remarkable and relaxing sensation.

As well as the healing spas, the Dead Sea is famed for its purifying black mud that is made up from deposits originating from the hot sulphur springs. Sold worldwide as an effective skin treatment, it is packed full of vitamins and when massaged into the skin it absorbs the toxins and invigorates circulation. It is also a wonderful conditioner for the hair. There are many spas on the shores of the Dead Sea that have masseurs on hand to provide bathers with a mineral enriched mud massage.

The Dead Sea is a truly stunning sight; with the warm, gentle waters providing a stark contrast to the surrounding rugged scenery. The resort is a spectacular filming location, situated at the foot of the Judean desert cliffs, with the Mountains of Moab to the east, an hour away from Jerusalem – which gives an optional site for filming in Jerusalem.

As well as the lakeside activities, there are more varied pursuits close by;
- desert jeep tours and camel rides,
- mountain biking, rappelling and hiking,
- desert barbecues and Bedouin feasts

The incredible and unusual scenery of this location, coupled with the unique qualities of the spa and the associated activities that take place, make a wonderful filming opportunity that would be of interest to a broad audience, but in particular travelers and the health conscious.

Eilat – Coral Beach Nature Reserve. Eilat is famous for its coral reefs which offer awe inspiring snorkeling experiences, where coral formations, colorful fish and sea urchins can all be viewed beneath the clear blue waters. Other water sports, such as scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking, yachting and waterskiing are also available.

The other main attraction in Eilat is the Dolphin Beach where bathers get the chance to swim alongside these friendly creatures or watch as they leap in and out of the warm Red Sea waters.

Haifa – Carmel Beach. The northern coast also has some lovely beaches. In Haifa there are golden sands and a variety of sea sports and boat trips. The scuba diving at this location is unlikely to capture exotic sea life or corals but you may just travel back in time if you stumble upon the underwater archaeological excavations that are located beneath the Haifa waters.

The Western Galilee – The Achziv Coast spans from Nehariya up to Rosh Hanikra. The beaches have inlets and sandstone ridges. The wildlife is exotic, with star fish, octopi and even dolphins. Rosh Hanikra has a cable car traveling right to the top of the cliff, which affords stunning views of the surrounding area.

So there you have it – after reading these descriptions you can see that filming beaches in Israel can cover a wide range of activities, take in an eclectic variety of distinctive scenery and provide input into a film covering water sports, health spas, sunbathing sunsets, and more. We hope that our advice on choosing the right beach for your travelogue or documentary will help you select the best location to suit your production in Israel.

Filming Beaches in Israel

Israel has four ‘seas’ and many beaches but the filming possibilities at these locations are literally endless.

Biblical Productions is a leading company in the field of production services in Israel . We cover all areas of film and television production, including documentaries, feature films, commercials, music videos, and promotional films. Biblical Productions
guides you during the process of filming in Israel

Article Source: Filming in Israel: Beaches