By Solomon Wiesen, TLV Beaches. Last reviewed October 2026.
Yes, you can enjoy the Tel Aviv beach in winter, but you should not swim. The city’s lifeguard season for 2026 ran from 25 March to 10 October, and the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality says that swimming without lifeguards on duty is dangerous and forbidden. From mid-October to late March, the beach is for walking, surfing, cafés and sunsets rather than swimming.
This guide covers what the beach is like from October to March, when the water is warm enough, and what is still open. For the full list of beaches, see our guide to all Tel Aviv beaches.
Can you swim in Tel Aviv in winter?
Not legally, and not safely. Lifeguard stations close at the end of the bathing season, and the municipality asks people to swim only at declared beaches while lifeguards are working. Winter storms also bring big waves and strong currents to the Mediterranean coast. In some past years the city kept one lifeguard station open into the late autumn, so check the municipality’s official beaches page for this year’s arrangements before you go in.
If you want a warm swim in winter, go south. The Red Sea in Eilat stays much warmer than the Mediterranean; see our guide to the beaches in Eilat.
Tel Aviv beach weather by season
| Period | What to expect | Swimming |
|---|---|---|
| October | Still warm and sunny; the lifeguard season ends on 10 October. | With lifeguards until the season ends |
| November to March | Mild days, cooler evenings and most of the year’s rain; occasional storms with high waves. | No lifeguards |
| Late March onward | Spring sun returns; the new lifeguard season opens. | With lifeguards (2026 season opened on 25 March) |
Sea temperatures off Tel Aviv range from about 18°C in the coldest months to about 29°C in August, according to long-term averages. Our page on Tel Aviv beach temperatures has more detail. For forecasts and rain warnings, check the Israel Meteorological Service.
What to do on the beach in winter
- Walk or cycle the promenade. The Tayelet boardwalk runs along the whole coast and is busy all year.
- Watch the surfers. Winter swells are the best of the year. Hilton Beach and Maravi Beach are the usual spots.
- Sit at a beach café. Many beachfront cafés stay open on sunny winter days.
- Catch the sunset. The sun sets earlier, and clear winter evenings are some of the best of the year. The lawns at Charles Clore face Jaffa’s old skyline.
- Go to the port. The Namal has restaurants and shops right on the water.
Winter safety on the Tel Aviv beach
- Stay off the breakwaters and rocks in a storm; waves can sweep over them.
- Do not go in the water when there is no lifeguard, even on a calm day.
- Learn the beach flags: a black flag means no swimming at all.
- Read our beach safety and theft prevention guide before you leave a bag on the sand.
Where to stay for a winter beach trip
A sea-view room is worth more in winter than in summer: you get the storms and the sunsets without the crowds. Our list of beachfront hotels in Tel Aviv shows which hotels are a short walk from each beach.
FAQ
Is Tel Aviv worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want mild weather, empty beaches and good sunsets. You will not be able to swim at lifeguarded beaches between mid-October and late March.
When does the Tel Aviv beach season start and end?
In 2026 the lifeguard season ran from 25 March to 10 October. The municipality publishes new dates each year.
How cold is the sea in Tel Aviv in winter?
Around 18°C in the coldest months, compared with about 29°C in August.
Where can I swim in Israel in winter?
Eilat, on the Red Sea, is the warmest place to swim in winter. Always swim only where lifeguards are on duty.
I created tlvbeaches.com to showcase to tourists and visitors a bit about how amazing the beaches of Tel Aviv are!
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