Tel Aviv Activities: Surf, Pool, Tayelet

November 5, 2026

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Tel Aviv is a flat coastal city where the sea, the beachfront promenade and the sports habits of its residents shape most of the things to do. Costs are in shekels (ILS, written ₪), and cards are widely accepted.

Surfing and stand-up paddleboarding

Hilton Beach is the city’s best-known surf beach, and the municipality describes it as dog-friendly, with lights that allow night surfing. Charles Clore Beach also gets good waves. Surf and paddle only in the open sea. The lower Yarkon River is not a place to paddle or swim, and boats belong on the lake in Ganei Yehoshua park.

Swimming season and lifeguards

The official bathing season runs from May to October. The municipal schedule lists lifeguard hours of about 07:15 to 16:45, stretching to 17:45 in June, and swimming without a lifeguard on duty is forbidden and dangerous. A black flag means bathing is prohibited. From November to April, treat the beach as a place to walk rather than swim, since winter storms bring rough water and there is no lifeguard cover. The municipality lists 13 beaches, including Frishman, Gordon, Bograshov, Hilton, Metzitzim and Charles Clore, on its beaches page .

Gordon Pool

Gordon Pool, at 14 Eliezer Peri Street on the seafront, is an Olympic-size saltwater pool. Published figures put adult entry at around ₪65 and a child ticket at around ₪52, with long weekday hours from early morning to 21:00, a late Friday close at 19:00 and Saturday hours of about 07:00 to 18:00. Sunday opens in the afternoon. Prices and hours change, so check before you go.

The Tayelet promenade

The seafront walking and cycling path runs from the Tel Aviv Port south to Jaffa and links the beaches, kiosks and viewpoints. Early morning and late afternoon are the cooler times, and the promenade is flat, so it suits bikes, scooters and strollers. Shared scooters are meant for adults, and riders should follow the helmet and pavement rules posted in the app.

Matkot on the sand

Matkot, a paddleball game played with wooden bats and a rubber ball, is the soundtrack of the city’s beaches. Bograshov, Frishman and Gordon are central beaches where games are easy to spot. Bring your own bats, keep clear of swimmers and play near the water’s edge where the sand is firm.

Boating in Ganei Yehoshua

Yarkon Park, also called Ganei Yehoshua, has a lake where pedal and row boats are the main activity. Keep to the lake and do not swim there or in the river.

Planning around Shabbat

Trains and standard buses stop from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening, and the Red Line light rail does not run on Shabbat. Free weekend bus lines called Na’im Busofash fill part of the gap, and beaches, cafes and pools stay open. Markets close on Saturday.

Compare lessons and rentals through Tel Aviv surf and paddle activities and check the exact meeting point and gear list.