Tel Aviv's seashore is within walking distance of Dizengoff Square. A promenade runs the entire length of the beach. Most beaches have free showers and facilities for changing. The cleanest beaches are behind the Dan and Sheraton hotels (Frishman to Gordon sts.) and at the Hilton Hotel.
In a slightly more remote location, the Bat Yam Beach, 4.8km (3 miles) south of Jaffa, is wide and sandy, and gets crowded only on hot Saturdays in summer; the sea here is usually a bit cleaner than in downtown Tel Aviv. From Ben-Yehuda Street, you can take bus no. 10, which begins its run at the City Hall. June to September there is an admission fee of NIS 12 ($2.60).
A word of caution: Swimming at Israeli beaches can be dangerous. The problem is a totally unpredictable undertow that can be hazardous even for a strong swimmer. It's safe, however, to swim at beaches where guards are stationed. Pay attention to the safety symbols along the beaches in the form of small flags. The color of the flag tells the story: Black means absolutely no swimming in the area, red warns you to be especially cautious, and white indicates that the water's fine. Tel Aviv's city beaches are protected in many places by a system of breakwaters and are the safest in the area.
