The Dead Sea is a natural wonder you can experience simply by lying down. Its shore lies more than 400 metres below sea level, the lowest dry land on Earth, and its water is so salty, roughly ten times saltier than the ocean, that it holds you up like a cushion. You cannot sink, which makes for a famously silly photograph of floating with a newspaper. The water feels oily and slick on your skin, and the minerals in the black mud that you can smear over yourself are said to be good for skin. After a few minutes in the water and a rinse under the freshwater showers on the beach, you are ready to lie in the sun and look across the water to the hills on the far side, which are in the West Bank and Israel. On the Jordanian side, the shore is lined with resort hotels that sell day passes, which include access to private beaches, pools, showers and changing rooms, and there are public beaches with simpler facilities. The sea is about an hour from Amman and roughly three hours from Petra, so it fits most easily into the start or end of a trip.
How it works
Most visitors reach the Dead Sea by taxi, private driver or tour from Amman, a drive of about an hour on a good road that descends steeply past a sign marking sea level. Resort day passes give you the most comfort and cleanest facilities, while public beaches are cheaper but basic.
Tours from Amman typically combine the Dead Sea with a couple of hours of free time and sometimes with a stop at Madaba or Mount Nebo. If you are coming from Petra, the transfer takes roughly three hours each way, so a night on the shore is more comfortable than a rushed day trip.
What to expect
The water is shockingly salty, and you should follow a few simple rules. Do not shave beforehand, and cover any cuts with waterproof plasters, because salt stings. Keep the water well away from your eyes, and if it gets in, rinse immediately with fresh water. Do not duck your head under, do not splash, and do not stay in longer than around fifteen to twenty minutes at a time, because the salt dries the skin and can irritate it.
Wear water shoes if the shore is rocky or the sand is hot, and remember that sun is intense here, although the air is dense with oxygen and the sun’s UV is partly filtered, so you can still burn. Drink plenty of water, because the heat and salt are dehydrating.
Making the most of it
Aim for the cooler parts of the day in summer, when the afternoon sun is intense, and in winter the water and air are pleasantly mild, so it is a year-round destination. Take a swimsuit you do not mind staining, as the mud and minerals can mark pale fabrics, and bring a towel and a change of clothes. If you want a quieter experience, choose a resort beach and avoid weekends, when locals fill the public areas.
Use the trip to rest after Petra, since it is the least strenuous day of any Jordan itinerary. People with open wounds, skin conditions or heart problems should check with a doctor before bathing, and children should be supervised very closely, because the salty water is dangerous if swallowed or splashed into the eyes. Pair it with a late lunch at a lakeside restaurant and the sunset over the water, which is one of the loveliest sights in the country.
What to expect
The experience
A float and a mud treatment at a public beach or a resort day-pass beach, usually reached by a transfer from Amman.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon, avoiding the strongest summer sun.
How long
Half a day to a full day including the drive.
Tips
Do not shave beforehand, keep the water out of your eyes, limit each dip to fifteen or twenty minutes and rinse well.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A uniquely relaxing, only-in-Jordan experience.
- Families
- Older children enjoy floating, but supervise closely and keep the water out of their eyes.
- Couples
- Resort day passes with a pool and a sunset over the water.
- Pair with
- Madaba and Mount Nebo, or the end of a Petra trip.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Why can you float in the Dead Sea?+
The water is roughly ten times saltier than the ocean, so it is far denser than the human body and holds you up.
How far is the Dead Sea from Amman?+
About an hour by road, and roughly three hours from Petra.
Can I use a public beach?+
Yes. Public beaches are cheaper but basic. Resort day passes give access to cleaner facilities, pools and showers.
How long should I stay in the water?+
Around fifteen to twenty minutes at a time, then rinse off with fresh water.
What should I avoid?+
Do not shave beforehand, avoid open cuts, keep the water away from your eyes and do not duck your head under.
