Floating on the Dead Sea

Bathing in the salty waters of the Dead Sea is an unforgettable and fun experience. The Dead Sea is so dense that it's impossible to swim in it andyou float. And that's regardless of your build! Surprisingly, it's possible to read a book or take a nap without ever drinking a cup, and that's no bad thing given the salinity of the water, which would make digestion difficult... very difficult.

However, don't stay in it too long, as the salt will attack and you'll soon be itching. What's more, beware of small wounds, even those you wouldn't suspect, which will make you suffer!

Rich in minerals, Dead Sea water has soothing, purifying and beneficial properties. As well as the sea, there's the mud and the salts. On certain beaches, you can smear yourself with mud and leave to dry in the sun to improve the appearance of your skin, toning it and making it soft. This black mud, formed from sediments, is used for cures and skin care. Cleopatra was already a fan of these treatments, which enabled her to maintain her milky complexion.

This mud is also effective in the treatment and prevention of numerous conditions such as psoriasis,acne and rheumatism. The salts, used as bath salts, have a soothing and relaxing effect and purify the skin.

The banks of the Dead Sea are better developed on the Israeli side than on the Jordanian side. In Israel, there are several beaches where you can swim for free or for a few shekels, the country's currency. The best-known areEin Gedi (free) andEin Bokek (free), but there's also Kalia Beach (18 shekels), Biankini Beach (80 shekels), Neve Midbar Beach (85 shekels), Segregated Beach (free, but separated into male and female sections) and Zohar Hot Springs Beach (free). They all have freshwater showers to rinse off after your swim.

In Jordan, the shores of the Dead Sea are wilder, so the panorama is much more striking! However, the only equipped beaches are to be found in the top-of-the-range establishments north of the water's edge, a few dozen kilometres from Amman: Kempinski, Marriott, Hilton, Mövenpick, Crowne Plaza... As a result, prices can be quite high: expect to pay between JOD 25 and JOD 50 a day, and don't hesitate to negotiate for half-board!

The high salt content for which the Dead Sea is world famous is also responsible for its drying out. The water has lost a third of its surface area over the last fifty years. It is so dry that a wide strip of cracked land now divides it into two distinct basins.

The main cause is the increasing over-exploitation of the Jordan River, the Dead Sea's main source of fresh water. Another cause is the evaporation of large volumes of water due to salt mining. These two causes are thought to be responsible for the evaporation of 300 million cubic metres of water a year.

To save the Dead Sea, Jordan, Israel and Palestine have reached an agreement to build a canal linking it to the Red Sea. A sort of perfusion that would raise the water level. In practical terms, they plan to set up a pumping system from the Gulf of Aqaba (north of the Red Sea). Some of the water extracted will be desalinated and distributed to the countries taking part in the project, while the rest will be used to supply the Dead Sea. To be continued...

In Jordan :

In Israel:

The Dead Sea offers a bathing experience that is unique in the world and provides amazing benefits for visitors, so it's a must-see on your next trip to Israel or Jordan!

🗓️ When should you visit the Dead Sea?

The average annual temperature around the Dead Sea is 30°C, with minimal rainfall. The best months to swim in the Dead Sea and discover this very special site are from October to May, as temperatures can reach record highs during the summer.

In Jordan, you can get to the Dead Sea on your own: it's only an hour's drive fromAmman via routes 40 and 65. A taxi can take you there for around 20 JOD (around twenty euros). However, it is very difficult to get there by public transport.

In Israel, route 90 runs alongside the Dead Sea and serves its various beaches. It takes 45 minutes to drive from Jerusalem and 1h30 from Tel Aviv via route 1 to reach Kalia Beach, north of the Dead Sea. Taxis can be quite expensive, but from Jerusalem you can take the Egged 486 bus, which stops at several beaches. Please note that buses do not run on the Sabbath!