Sea of Galilee Swim

שחיית כנרת

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Sports & AdventureSea of Galilee
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCompetition, enduranceWhat sets this swim apart is its scale and
Language["he"]Currency: ILS
CategorySports & AdventureFestival type
The story

Sea of Galilee Swim in Sea of Galilee

Each autumn around Rosh Hashanah, thousands of swimmers cross Lake Kinneret from Ein Gev to Tiberias in an open-water event running for more than fifty consecutive years, choosing between roughly 1.5-kilometer and 3.5-kilometer courses. Boats and rafts stationed along the route let tired swimmers rest and continue, and the crossing draws over ten thousand participants in recent editions.

Every autumn around the Rosh Hashanah holiday, thousands of swimmers enter Lake Kinneret near Ein Gev and head for a finish line in Tiberias, taking part in an open-water event that has run for more than fifty consecutive years and now ranks among the largest mass swims of its kind anywhere in the world.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What sets this swim apart is its scale and open-water safety design: rafts and support boats positioned continuously along the course allow any of the thousands of participants to pause mid-swim rather than exit the water, making the event accessible to recreational swimmers rather than only competitive athletes

02

The mystery stays covered

Crossing the lowest freshwater lake on Earth, timed to coincide with the Jewish New Year, also gives the event a symbolic weight beyond its athletic scale

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Many participants treat the crossing as an annual personal ritual tied to the Rosh Hashanah season rather than a one-time athletic event

Water and renewal

Living ritual

returning year after year as part of marking the Jewish New Year

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Sea of Galilee Swim, plan transport around the exact Sea of Galilee venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Wear a swimsuit suited to open-water conditions, and consider a wetsuit if you run cold, since Kinneret water temperatures in autumn can feel cooler than expected despite mild air...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Sea of Galilee Swim, stay near the part of Sea of Galilee you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["he"] · ILS

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map32.80 N, 35.59 EOpen in Google Maps

Sea of Galilee, Northern District, Israel

Nearest airportADJ — Marka International (Amman Civil)
TransportFor Sea of Galilee Swim, plan transport around the exact Sea of Galilee venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Sea of Galilee Swim, stay near the part of Sea of Galilee you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Sea of Galilee via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Sea of Galilee, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearWear a swimsuit suited to open-water conditions, and consider a wetsuit if you run cold, since Kinneret water temperatures in autumn can feel cooler than expected despite mild air temperatures.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Israel and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Sea of Galilee Swim?

Sea of Galilee Swim is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Sea of Galilee Swim take place?

The festival is listed in Sea of Galilee, Israel. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Sea of Galilee, Northern District, Israel

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLgalileemsa.org.il
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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