You can’t skip visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan. It is the lowest place on Earth and one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth, which means that yes, you’ll really float in the Dead Sea!
Floating in the salty water of the Dead Sea is surely an awesome experience but there are a few things you need to know before going there.
Here you are our essential tips for visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Interesting facts about the Dead Sea:
– The Dead Sea isn’t actually a sea – it’s a lake!
– It is the lowest place on Earth and at 423 meters below sea level the region is mostly hot, barren desert.
– The sea is long and not very wide so, from the Jordan side you can see the Israel bank.
– It’s the high concentration of salt that makes the water so dense that humans can float on top of it. The Dead Sea has an average salinity of 33.7 %, which is about 10 times saltier than ordinary seawater.
– The Dead Sea earned its name because plants and animals cannot survive in it for the high salinity.
– Unfortunately, the Dead Sea is shrinking – and it’s shrinking fast. Environmental impacts are causing the Dead Sea to recede by one meter every year, which sadly means that at this rate the lake won’t last forever.
– Are there other Dead Seas on earth? Yes! It isn’t actually the saltiest sea on earth, it just happens to be very accessible, and safe to swim in. That’s why it’s earned its reputation as the most popular salt sea in the world.
Should you go to a resort or public beach?
When planning your visit to the Dead Sea, the first thing you’ll want to decide is whether you’d like to go to a resort beach or a public beach. There are pros and cons to both choices.
Dead Sea resort beaches
The north-eastern edge of the Sea is home to several resorts. Every resort has its own stretch of private, well-maintained beach for easy access to the Dead Sea. On resort’s beach you’ll find sunbeds, freshwater showers, Dead Sea mud for sale and many other amenities.
You can choose to book a night at the resort or to buy a day pass to use the resort’s beach and amenities, both options are quite pricey though.
Dead Sea public beaches
Visiting a public beach is what the locals do (and what we did)! The beaches are a little bit souther, and they are easily accessible off of the Highway.
The most common public beach to visit is called “Amman Touristic Beach,” which is about 2 kilometers south of the Dead Sea resorts. The entrance costs around 30 euros and the beach offers dressing rooms, freshwater showers and Dead Sea mud.
There are more beaches that offer swimming access, they aren’t all “official” but they are perfect! We opted to pull over at one of these unmarked beaches, and we were glad we did cause we had the shoreline entirely to ourselves!
Just put “Dead Sea free swimming” on Google map and you’ll end up in the beach we visited.
Tips for visiting the Dead Sea
1- Don’t stay too long in the water
Because the water is so salty, it’s incredibly dehydrating so you’ll only want to soak in the sea for a max 10-15 minutes. I know this might not seem like enough time…but believe me, it is!
2- Protect your feet
Walking in and out of the sea on barefoot can be quite challenging. Water shoes are a good thing to bring because the salt rocks can be quite sharp.
3- Don’t forget to shower right after
It’s important to rinse off your body with regular water as soon as you get out. It can become uncomfortable if you don’t get all the salt rinsed quickly. If you are going to a public beach don’t forget to buy a tank of water, you’ll probably won’t find a shower there
Pretty sure you don’t want your eyeballs to feel like they’re on fire, so don’t splash and don’t dip your head underwater.
5- Don’t shave before floating
Yes, you’ve heard it right! Forget your razor at least 2-3 days before you’re planning to get in the water. Also, if you have any visible cuts make sure to bandage those before entering the water. And if you have invisible cuts you will surely find out once you’ve entered the Dead Sea.
6- Don’t wear your new bikini
The high level of salt can easily ruin the color or the texture of your swimsuit. It’s better to use an old one just to be on the safe side.
7- Don’t get your camera or phone wet
Keep your electronics on dry land! The saltwater will also do some damage to your phone or camera if you drop it.
Floating in the Dead Sea is a true bucket list experience. If you follow these simple tips while visiting the Dead Sea we’re sure you will have an amazing time!
Leave A Comment