The Dead Sea is one of the most special places we visited during our tour of Jordan. The area is located at 427 meters below sea level, making it the lowest point on earth. Due to the high salinity in the Dead Sea, you float on the water here, which is a very special experience. In addition, the water and mud of the Dead Sea has a healing effect, so that you come home completely zen and with soft skin. I am happy to share my tips for visiting the Dead Sea in Jordan with you, so that you too can enjoy this unique experience to the fullest.
Tip 1: Drive along the coast to the Dead Sea
We drove from Wadi Rum, in the south of Jordan, to the Dead Sea. The first part we drove a beautiful route through the mountains, after which we finally arrived at the long road along the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea really lives up to its name. There is no sign of life anywhere in or around the water. There are no animals and there is no greenery. I actually expected that there were some places where you could enter the Dead Sea, but the sea is separated from the land by high cliffs. Would you like to go into the water? Then pay a visit to Wadi Mujib. Here you can walk the adventurous Siq trail in a large gorge full of water. Unfortunately it had rained very hard during our visit to Jordan, making the Wadi Mujib impassable. Still, I don’t want to withhold this tip from you.
Tip 2: Book a night in a resort
Normally I wouldn’t necessarily recommend staying in a resort. However, if you want to visit the Dead Sea, this is the best option. Unfortunately, there are no nice villages or ‘normal’ accommodations on the Dead Sea. There is a public beach, but the entrance to this beach costs about 25 euros per person. The other beaches belong to the different resorts. It is possible at a number of resorts to purchase a day pass of around 75 euros to visit their private beach. An overnight stay in a resort will cost you around 100 euros for two people and is therefore quickly cheaper than a day pass or the public beach. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea, which is located right on the Dead Sea. It is a beautiful and large resort with nice swimming pools and many restaurants. Together we paid €98 per night including a delicious breakfast. We also received free towels, sunbeds, drinking water and mud when visiting the Dead Sea. So enjoy a day and night of luxury when you visit the Dead Sea.
Tip 3: Don’t shave before entering the Dead Sea
The tip I came across pretty much everywhere before visiting the Dead Sea was not to shave before entering the water. This seemed a bit exaggerated at first, but the Dead Sea’s salinity is 34%. This is no less than ten times higher than in a normal sea or ocean. The water burns enormously if you have just shaved or if you have a wound somewhere, not to mention the feeling when you get the water in your eyes. So I would really advise you to leave your razor for 1 to 2 days before you visit the Dead Sea and to tape off any wounds before entering the sea. I also advise you not to stay in the Dead Sea for more than fifteen minutes at a time.
Tip 4: Fall backwards and move slowly
Because the water in the Dead Sea has such a high salt content, it is difficult to really swim. You also immediately see that the water has a kind of thick oil-like structure because of the salt. The best way to enter the Dead Sea is therefore to slowly let yourself fall backwards onto your back so that any splashes don’t hit your face. I just kept my sunglasses on just in case. You will see that you float by yourself and that it is even difficult to push your legs down in the water. Try to move as slowly as possible and just enjoy the weightlessness.
Tip 5: Take advantage of the healing properties of the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea has a lot of healing properties. Centuries ago, people came here because they thought the water was magical. In addition to a lot of salt, there is a high amount of minerals in the water. These 21 active minerals are said to help with problems such as psoriasis and osteoporosis. Moreover, these minerals, in combination with the fact that you are far below sea level, ensure that you do not burn. Many people still go on special medical trips to the Dead Sea. Because the water is around 22 °C all year round, the Dead Sea is crowded all months of the year.
Tip 6: Enjoy soft skin through the Dead Sea mud
Besides the water full of minerals, the mud from the Dead Sea also has an almost magical effect on your skin. That is why there is a large container with Dead Sea mud at almost every resort to rub yourself with. Getting mud out of the sea yourself is going to be difficult, because you’d rather not have your head under water here. It is recommended to float in the Dead Sea for 10 minutes first. Then cover yourself completely with the Dead Sea mud and let the mud dry in the sun. This acts like a natural sunscreen. Once the mud has hardened, rinse off in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. I recommend that you also rinse off with a shower with normal water afterwards. My skin has literally never felt so soft. Dead Sea mud is a popular ingredient in various care products for a reason and many celebrities swear by this mud.
Tip 7: Take old swimwear and water shoes with you
As beautiful as your new bikini is, I really recommend taking old swimwear to the Dead Sea. The water and mud can really discolor your favorite swimwear. I also noticed that my (luckily old) bikini had become so stiff that all the elasticity was gone. So preferably wear something that you don’t necessarily want to wear again afterwards. In addition to old swimwear, I would recommend that you also bring water shoes. There are many sharp stones and rocks on the bottom. Since you can’t really swim, you will have to walk into the sea yourself for the first part. Water shoes or bath slippers are therefore very welcome.
Tip 8: Bring a book or magazine for taking the classic photo
It’s super cliché of course, but be sure to bring a book or magazine for some classic photos in the Dead Sea. That way you can see even better that you float. Moreover, it is wonderful to read a book or magazine while floating, something different than on a beach bed. I do not recommend bringing a newspaper. We have seen a lot of people stunt with the newspaper from the hotel, but due to the wind and the size of the newspaper, the newspaper quickly falls apart or pieces blow away.
Tip 9: Visit the Dead Sea as the last destination in Jordan
If it fits with the rest of your travel planning, I would recommend saving a visit to the Dead Sea for the end of your Jordan trip. It is the perfect place to take a rest and enjoy all the beautiful things you have seen in Jordan. Especially in combination with a night in one of the resorts, this is the perfect place to relax. Moreover, after a visit to the Dead Sea, you will come home with a wonderfully soft skin from the water and mud. The Dead Sea is just an hour’s drive from Amman International Airport.
Tip 10: Don’t wait too long with your visit to the Dead Sea
Would you also like to float in the Dead Sea? Then don’t wait too long. The Dead Sea is the lowest point in the world and unfortunately the water has already decreased by 30% in recent years due to global warming. According to several scientists, the Dead Sea will even completely disappear in 50 years. So book a ticket to Jordan quickly and enjoy this unique experience before it’s too late.
Floating in the Dead Sea was a truly unique experience for me. It is so special to feel almost weightless and to lie on the water. It was a perfect ending to our Jordan trip. Besides a visit to the Dead Sea, there is much more to see and do in Jordan. View all our tips for a trip through Jordan here.
