The Breach Beach
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
ATTENTION
The Breach Beach is an undeclared beach, i.e. there are no lifeguards on this beach and the sign there says it is a forbidden bathing area.
Why is it so? Well, any reasercher who will dare contacting the local authorities will be assured by the Hertzeliya beach department that this strip of sand is in Tel-Aviv's jurisdiction. As our brave reasercher goes on fearlessly further into the abyss of local bureaucracy and phones the beach department of the city of Tel-Aviv, he is amazed to be informed that this particular beach is not under Tel-Aviv's authority at all. In the next two weeks this courageous reasercher is going to be bounced back-and-forth between automatic and human telephone operators, all trying to switch him/her over to the correct extension. With the phrase 'Please hold' echoing ferociously in his/her head, bits of self assurance scattered about him/her, our weary reasercher is terminally switched to the honorable head of the beach department of Hertzeliya. After an excruciating conversation with the above VIP (in which he/she will be inquired to his/her age, social status and the reason for asking for such a precious piece of information) the reasercher will learn that a beach matching the description of the Breach Beach is simply an undeclared beach.
There isn't anything dangerous there, it's simply the regulation of the local authority to forbid bathing in undeclared beaches.
A simple walk to the south end of the beach and a turn of 180 degrees will reveal a sign which reads: "End of Tel-Aviv juristicion", i.e. the Breach Beach is technically the south most beach still in Hertzelia's juristicion. So this lovely slice of the mediterranean was just neglected by the devoted local bureaucracts. If you take a 300 meters walk to the north or south from the Breach Beach itself you will stumble upon a lifeguard post, as you have entered a declared beach.
Why is it called The Breach Beach?
As mentioned above, the beach is not open to public, and there's a fence there to prevent people from getting to it. But, as you may have guessed, there is a breach in the fence. The breach is big enough to fit one or two people at a time.
What's so special about this beach?
The breach in the fence is a long way to walk from any residential area, so a vehicle is required in order to get to it. In Israel, a person has to be 17 years old to be able to have a driver's license, so there are few people below this age on the beach. Also, because of the somewhat foul way of getting into this beach, it is populated only by people who will use its unconventional entrance, i.e. young people (below 30).
A beach vollyball net has been erected at the beach, and usually there are some folks walking around selling cold drinks (including beer), popsicles, etc. Some have even setteled in fixed spots. A beach-chair rental service is also available.
Surfers are not a common view around this beach, and it's definitely not a good place for boating or fishing. There's a sign which forbids flying aeroplane models there.
A great deal has been said about the rare concentration of good looking people as there exist on this beach. All complete and utter truth, not the slightest exaggeration noted.
Where is it and how do I get there?
The beach is in the shore of the city Hertzeliya, Israel.
Getting to the Beach from the South
The best way to get there is using the Ayalon highway, getting off at the Glilot interchange, followed by a left turn towards Haifa. The next intersection will have three lanes for turning left, and another one for turning right. The rightmost lane from which you can turn left is recommended, because about 30 meters after the intersection there will be a small turn to the right.
Getting to the Beach from the North
The only way to get there from the north is using the Coastal Road (in Hebrew, "Kvish Ha'hof"). You'll need to recognize the Glilot intersection (don't confuse this with the Glilot interchange, which you are not suppose to encounter at all). The road signs aren't the clearest. When approaching the intersection a shopping mall can be seen to the left and a country club (also poorly signed) to the right. At the intersection keep straight, better use the rightmost lane because about 30 meters after the intersection there will be a small turn to the right that you must take.
Either Way
Having reached a small T intersection, which resembles more the shape of the letter Y, turn right. About hundered meters further 1 there will be a very small entrance 2 to the parking area to the right. Somewhere a few hundered meters ahead is the breach. The best way to find the breach is to find the spot where the most cars are crowded together, or just follow somebody that's walking along the fence northbound. If you still can't find it - just ask someone.
Parking Tips
The dirt road isn't rough and almost all cars can travel on it. However, a very low car is not recommended, as its bottom might scratch the ground in some places.
As you may or may not know, Israelis are very impolite drivers, and the parking area near the beach can get very crowded (especially on Saturdays). If a mess is visible in the horizon, just park where it is possible and take a 5-minute walk to the breach. If it is too late and the mess is all about, there are little dirt "roads" splitting from the main one. Those can be entered and parked alonged. Some of them even lead back to the entrance/exit from the beach parking area. Carefulness is advised as these paths are inlaid with patches of soft sand that 2 by 4 cars can get easily stuck in.
