The resort city of Eilat, Israel boasts an incredible collection of sea life in the waters off its shores, and one of the best places to check it out is at the Coral World Underwater Observatory Marine Park. The park's 360,000-liter Red Sea Reef Aquarium, for example, holds a vast coral colony with 400 different species of fish, including herbivores, predators, and colorful reef dwellers of all kinds. The Sea Turtle and Stingray Pool, meanwhile, is one of the best places in the Middle East to see eye-to-eye with hawksbill and green turtles, who swim freely as caretakers see that all their turtle needs are attended to. (Try to time your visit to coincide with the daily feedings at 12:30 p.m.) The park's largest pool is dedicated to the kings of the sea, where toothy sandbar sharks circle menacingly and chow down on less fortunate fish. As entertaining as the aquariums are, the Red Sea itself is the main attraction here. In a special viewing chamber 100 feet offshore, visitors can safely descend beneath the waves to see the mysteries of the deep pass right before their eyes. You never know who might show up. Coral World is just minutes from Le Méridien Eilat.

[image via Eilat Coral World]