Israel Red Sea Health & Hospitals

No specific vaccinations are required to travel to the Red Sea, but it is recommended to consult with your physician 2 months before leaving. Your Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B should all be up to date before leaving. An international health insurance policy is highly recommended. Most insurance policies do not cover divers, so check if you need additional insurance for this. When traveling to the Red Sea with its desert environment, the three major hazards are dehydration, sunburn and an upset stomach. Drink plenty of mineral water and isotonic drinks (like coke and sprite), use high-factor sunscreens, and wear a hat and sunglasses. A change in diet often results in upset stomachs. Never drink tap water, and check the seal on bottled water. Prefer cooked food or peeled fresh fruit/vegetables, and use mineral water to brush your teeth, and to wash fruit/vegetables. Eat in restaurants that are busy, and where both the establishment and the staff look clean.

Public toilets are better avoided. Use the toilet facilities of mid to top-range hotels, and of western-style or tourist restaurants. Toilet paper, if available, should be disposed off in the bins provided, as local toilet systems can only take so much of it. If you travel to the desert, dont throw toilet paper away or bury it, take a plastic bag with you and dispose of it later.

Even though most pharmacies are very well supplied and any medication can be obtained without prescription, a basic first aid kid is also a good idea. It should contain painkiller/antipyretic/anti-inflammatory tabs, antihistamine tabs & cream, decongestant, multi-vitamins/iron, wide spectrum antibiotic, seasickness tabs, intestinal antiseptic, diarrhea tabs, rehydration salts, antiseptic solution, antibiotic spray & cream, anti fungal cream/powder, insect repellent, sting relief cream/spray, bandages, plasters, adhesive & sterile dressings, non-sticking antibiotic dressings, gauze, steri-strips, cotton wool, syringes & needles. Check the expiry dates on all medicines and prescriptions. When traveling, it is highly recommended that you keep the written prescription with your medication. Many of the larger Hotels in the Red Sea have a doctor on call, and the bigger cities have private hospitals, of which some offer very reliable medical care, are clean and equipped with latest technology.

Israeli Red Sea Local Time & Weather

Time: GMT/UTC plus 2 hours