Beit Yanai Beach

Beit Yanai (“House of Yanai”) is a small settlement and community of farmers with a population around 450. Formed in 1933 by settlers from Poland and Lithuania, this settlement is in the Sharon plain in central Israel. Known for its beach of the same name, this coast ranks among the best in Israel thanks to its long and wide stretches of white sand along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Apart from swimming and sun worship, this beach is popular for those who love to kite surf, and anglers who enjoy casting their lines along the shoreline.

The remnants of the original timber jetty in the form of wooden poles mark the place where immigrants came ashore in numbers after the reestablishment of Israel at the end the Second World War. As well as offering a poignant reminder of Israel’s history the old wooden stumps make for a great photo opportunity.

Just six-kilometres north of the city of Netanya, parking is plentiful near the kiosk and a per car entrance fee is levied by the Israel Parks and Nature Authorities. This covers the cost of providing lifeguards in season, as well as keeping the beach clean. Facilities include change rooms and showers along with a choice of restaurants from which to choose. Overnight camping is allowed, making it popular among campers in search of family-friendly, quiet, and spotlessly clean beaches.

The white sand beach and crystal blue water with a warm average temperature of 25°c (77°f), makes for pleasant bathing during the long summer season. Three beaches - Nuweiba, Mikhmoret and Beit Yanai - link up to provide a 5 km (3-mile) stretch of pristine sand overlooking the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean. Beit Yanai Beach is one of the leading beaches for kite surfing along this coast, and attracts surfers from all over Israel and beyond. Look out to sea and there are dozens of colourful parachutes in the air whipping surfers seemingly effortlessly across the waves.

Besides being a kite and board surfing paradise, Beit Yanai also has a reputation for natural beauty, which attracts outdoor enthusiasts who come to see and be seen.