Maagan Michael Birdwatching Park – Visitor Guide

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel offers tours at Maagan Michael Birdwatching Park. Join us to learn what to expect!

Map

Maagan Michael Birdwatching Park is south of the kibbutz of the same name, which is situated on the coast between Caesarea and Atlit.

You can park at the “Tourism Parking Lot.” From there, it is about a five-minute walk to the Maagan Michael Birdwatching Park.

Directions for drivers: Link to Waze and Link to Google Maps
Directions for public transport: Link to Moovit

Interactive map of the area:

Parking

Free parking. At the parking lot, you will see signs to the Birdwatching Park.

Entrance Fee

You can enter the Birdwatching Park only as part of a tour. You can book a tour on the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel’s website.

I booked tickets about 2 months in advance, and the price was 45 NIS per person (prices may vary by tour type).

Opening Hours

There are tours available at different times, including sunrise, morning, and day tours. You will see more animals in the morning or evening, so I recommend those times.

We joined a morning tour for families that began at 9:30 and ended at noon.

When is the best time to visit Maagan Michael Birdwatching Park?

Some birds inhabit these pools year-round, while others visit only during migration. To see the most species, I recommend visiting during migration season, typically March–April and October–November.

Walking Tours at Maagan Michael Birdwatching Park

We parked in the parking lot and walked a few minutes to the birdwatching center, where we met our guide.

Each family received a pair of binoculars along with a leaflet detailing the bird species found in this area.

Tip: Arrive early to secure a good pair of binoculars.

Viewpoint

We began our visit at a viewpoint. Our guide told us about the history of this region, including how the land changed from swamps to agricultural areas and later to fish ponds.

From this viewpoint, you can see Taninim Stream Nature Reserve, the pools, and the sea. Here are several photos:

Note: There is a metal fence between Taninim Stream Nature Reserve and Maagan Michael Birdwatching Park. So you cannot pass between them.

At the Pools

From the viewpoint, we headed to the pools. We explored several pools, climbed to a viewpoint, and then returned. We walked for nearly two hours and covered approximately 2 kilometers. Most of the time, we either stood or sat while our guide explained various types of animals, with a particular focus on water birds. Here are some of my photos: