Swimming, boating and picnicking at Nitzanim Lake
Nitzanim Lake (Agam Nitzanim) is a not-well-known gem located on the coastal plain between Ashkelon and Ashdod. The lake was formed when quarrying operations breached an underground aquifer, creating a large but shallow freshwater lake. Entry is free. Reasonably priced dairy and meat meals and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be purchased. Nearby Nitzanim Beach and sand dunes form the Nitzanim Sand Dunes Nature Reserve.
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Directions: Enter “Nitzanim Lake” into Waze and click on “אגם ניצנים."
Admission: The lake is open for individuals on Friday and Saturday throughout the year. During the winter it is only open if it is sunny. During the rest of the week, it is open only for groups. Admission is free. There are restrooms but no showers. The place is kept quite clean. Unless you anticipate the place being very crowded it is not necessary to bring your own seating. No food or drinks are permitted to be brought into the premises. This is their Hebrew website.
Public transport: Enter “אגם ניצנים“ into Moovit and click on “פארק הנופש אגם ניצנים.” The nearest bus stop is a 1.8-km/22-minute walk.
There are green lawns and shaded seating with tables. There is a nice sandy beach. An area is demarcated off for swimming for children. This is quite shallow and is ideal especially for small children. There is no lifeguard, but because there are no waves and the water is shallow so that it is all very safe. You will probably want to supervise your younger children and you can even do this while sitting in a chair in the water. Footwear for the water can be helpful, since although the beach is sandy, there are some areas with pebblesץ. There are also hiking trails.
There are both meat and dairy food stalls. The meat stall is kosher supervised and offers hotdogs, schnitzel, and hambergers with French fries. On Saturday there is a non-kosher meat stall. Snack foods and non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are available.
Renting a kayak by the hour is well worthwhile (although no one is counting the time). The lake area is quite extensive and you wind your kayak through very beautiful openings between the reeds. In other words, this is not a boating lake in which you just go round and round. Lifejackets are provided. The kayaks will comfortably hold either 1 or 2 adults. Up to 2 children can also be accommodated if they are young and can be fitted between the legs of the adults.
If you prefer ocean swimming, Nitzanim Beach is 2 to 3 km from the lake, and has lifeguards, picnic arbors, parking, toilets and a restaurant.