Bat Galim Beach
Good for: family fun, Safe swimming, Partying, beach lovers, sunbathing
Not good for: sunrise
- Address
- Bat Galim
Lonely Planet review for Bat Galim Beach
Ports tend to make a mess of the coast so it's not too surprising that Haifa's beaches are infamously toxic and strewn with garbage. Case in point is Bat Galim Beach , considered one of the best surf breaks in the country and host to international competitions - surfers constantly lament its piles of rusting metal, bricks, concrete, disused furniture and other refuse.
Traveller reviews for Bat Galim Beach (2)
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great for real swimming, the beach is clean and calm
haifa1 recommends this,
First note that Bat Galim has separate beaches for swimming and surfing. so you end up in the right part, ask for the swimming beach, or visit during windy days the kite-surf and surfing strip, closer to the mountain head.
Many of the worlds beaches offer you only a place to stand and be splashed by waves, the main attraction of bat galim beach is that you can actually swim, pool-like, the water is calm between 3 wave breakers and also beyond.
Good for: family fun, beach lovers, Partying, Safe swimming
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Great beach but a poor promenade
jaapvangoor recommends this,
They say also here a part of the beach is a religious beach. The religious beach is only a small part of the beach and not the best part (many stones under the water). The best part is on the other side of the wavebreaker with the showers and bathrooms. This is a small beach complete with shadowmakers. The beach itself is relatively clean and has rough sand. Quite flat and great for sunbathing. The beach lowers easily in the water and you can walk for quite a bit. The water is relatively clean, but this depends on the weather conditions. We have been there 3 days now. The first day the water was bright and clear and you could see for more than 1.5 meters. The next day was a bit murky, but still clean as it was only from the sand at the bottom. Later that day it was quite clear again and we saw millions of fish near the big breaker. Here they also do a lot of fishing and it is spectacular to see thousand small fish jump out in a hurry to escape some bigger fish. Today the water was murky as well. We had a strong wind in shore. This meant that there were many loose plants in the water and many small plastic objects. Later it was better again.
Great was when some kitesurfers made a show and even did this in the little bay between the two big breakers.
I was told that during the season the beach is guarded and there are many buoys to mark the save swimming area. The season is already finished in october as both lifeguard houses are closed.
On friday and saturday it is quite busy. Specially on saturday or sabbath. During the week and outside the season it is quiet. Most people who go here seem to be Russian speaking and the beach seems to be the favorite spot for retired people, but that could be because of the time of the year.
The beach is about 5 minutes by bus from the city centre. Or a good 20-30 minutes walk (a bit down hill). To the left of the beach there is a promenade. Great view, but the derelict buildings give it a strange atmosphere. Easy walk to the cablecart up mount Carmel.
Locals say this is not the best beach.Good for: family fun, sunbathing, Sunsets, Safe swimming
Not good for: sunrise
