Ein Maboa Spring in Nahal Prat Nature Reserve Opens Free to Public with New Facilities

The Nahal Prat Nature Reserve, featuring the unique Ein Maboa spring, has officially opened to the public free of charge as of Wednesday, coinciding with the start of the summer vacation. The site now includes a newly constructed parking lot with approximately 60 spaces and a safe pedestrian path connecting the parking area to the reserve entrance. Additionally, the restroom facilities have been renovated for visitor comfort. The reserve is open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with entry permitted only through prior registration on the Nature and Parks Authority website.

Ein Maboa is a rare pulsating karst spring located in the steep channel of Nahal Prat (Wadi Qelt). It is the middle spring among three major springs flowing between Ein Prat upstream and Ein Qelt downstream. The spring’s water emerges in rhythmic pulses, intermittently drying between flows, a phenomenon caused by groundwater accumulating in karst cavities and releasing suddenly when full. This pulsating behavior is extremely rare, with only about 100 such springs worldwide.

The spring pulses mainly during the summer months when rainfall is low, causing the water level in the underground cavities to fluctuate and produce the characteristic intermittent flow. In winter, abundant rainfall maintains a continuous flow as the cavities remain filled. The Nature and Parks Authority highlights the ecological and geological significance of Ein Maboa and encourages visitors to experience this natural wonder responsibly.