Swimming in the Dead Sea is, hands down, one of the top things to experience in Israel. Nowhere else in the world is there a body of water with such magical properties. Not only does the high concentration of salt make people effortlessly float in the water, but the water and the mud around it is said to be very beneficial for health and beauty.
When you visit Israel, no doubt you’ll want to make a trip to the Dead Sea and experience the magic for yourself. But before you go swimming in the Dead Sea, here’s what you should know.
Traveling to Israel? Check out my Israel page for travel tips and insight!
Go before it’s too late
I hate to break it to you, but if you want to see and experience the Dead Sea, you may only have a few years left to do so! The Sea is drying up very quickly due to the lack of water flowing into it and the number of factories nearby using up the water and minerals. It’s reported that the shoreline has been decreasing by as much as 3 feet (1 meter) per year and that the whole sea could be dried up in as little as 20-50 years! It’s one of those things that just can’t wait. If you want to see it, go see it now, before it’s too late!
Visit a reputable beach
Sure, there are places where you can just stop by and get in the water. However, it’s really important to visit a reputable beach, with the proper facilities. The main reason is safety. With the sea drying up, it’s leaving giant sinkholes in the ground, which can be dangerous. In addition, being at a reputable beach means having a lifeguard on duty. Just because you float in the water, doesn’t mean that it is impossible to drown. Weak swimmers may have trouble controlling their position in the water. It’s also really nice to have shower facilities onsite, where you have access to fresh water and where you can change out of your swim gear afterward.
To find a reputable beach, I highly recommend joining a tour. Tourist Israel is a fantastic company that offers many options for visiting the Dead Sea. You can opt to spend the whole day there, or you can pair it with tours in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, or Masada. And don’t worry about having to share the beach with dozens of other tourists- both times we visited there were only a handful of people, and it didn’t feel crowded at all!
READ » The Non-Hiker’s Guide to Hiking the Masada Snake Path
You really do float!
It’s one of the strangest, yet coolest things I’ve ever felt. Walking into the water initially, you have no idea that the Dead Sea is so much different than any other body of water. But when you get deep enough and kick up your legs to the surface, the weightlessness you feel is just incredible. It’s so easy to float, that when it’s time to put your legs back down you will have to struggle and fight for it. After swimming in the Dead Sea, you realize how hard you have to work to stay afloat in other lakes!
DO NOT shave your legs beforehand
Seriously. I can’t believe I didn’t even think this through. I shaved my legs the DAY BEFORE we visited the Dead Sea. It didn’t even dawn on me that the slight razor burn wouldn’t be healed in 24 hours. This fun little snafu resulted in stinging pain and red bumpily legs after swimming in the Dead Sea. Think: pouring very salty water over hundreds of tiny wounds on your legs. Good fun.
On this note, maybe it’s a good plan not to shave anywhere before swimming in the Dead Sea…
Check yourself for wounds
Going off of the whole shaving dealio, it’s a good idea to check yourself for other wounds before entering the water. My hubby was quickly reminded of his stubbed toe while swimming in the Dead Sea. Again, open wound plus salt equals a not so enjoyable feeling
You may have an allergic reaction
Even if your legs are deliciously hairy and you have no open wounds, you may STILL have an allergic reaction to the salt and mud! Can I get a high-five from all my sensitive-skinned travelers out there?!
Yes, sometimes the concentration of salt and minerals in the Dead Sea can cause skin irritation. And you may, like me, leave the water with itchy pink patches on your face, arms, legs, and belly. Not to worry though- with a good lotion they’ll clear up quickly!
Some visitors also report a stinging sensation in their more…sensitive areas. Don’t be alarmed if this happens to you. Just rinse off with fresh water and give your body a little time to heal.
READ » Traveling in Israel: Things that Surprised Me
Don’t forget the mud
Coating yourself in the thick, dark mud is half the fun of swimming in the Dead Sea! The minerals in Dead Sea mud are said to help lots of skin and other health conditions like psoriasis, acne, and more. Rubbing the mud on your skin and rinsing in the salty water will make your skin feel crazy smooth and soft!
However, it is a good idea not to put the mud directly from the sea onto your face and neck, as this mud hasn’t been filtered, and it can irritate the more sensitive skin in these areas. You can buy filtered Dead Sea mud from lots of beauty shops in Israel, that is safer to use on your face. You’ll also want to make sure not to rub the mud too hard into your body. The mud is filled with small bits of salt and minerals, and rubbing too hard could cause small skin abrasions. And again, open wounds plus salty water…
Try not to put your face or hair in the water
Another reason it’s a good idea not to use the mud on your face while swimming in the Dead Sea is because that would require you to rinse your face off in the crazy salty water. It’s just not a good idea to get your eyes and mouth near the water, because if any were to get in, that would be the end of your time at the Dead Sea. In addition, you will want to pull your hair up and avoid getting it in the water. All the minerals will make your hair dry and rigid, and it will take several rounds of shampoo and conditioner to get it back to normal.
Bikinis are fine to wear
Before visiting the Dead Sea, I was frantically googling the appropriate attire. I know that the Middle East is a more conservative area of the world, and I was worried that my two-piece suit might not be the best choice for the Dead Sea. After reading about it and going to the Dead Sea myself, I can confirm that it’s totally okay to wear a bikini. Israel tends to be a bit less conservative than its neighboring countries.
READ » Is it Safe to Travel to Israel?
Bring a waterproof camera
Swimming in the Dead Sea is fun, but taking photos makes it more fun! How can you even prove to your friends and family that you floated in the Dead Sea if you don’t have pics to prove it?! Just make sure to rinse off the camera with fresh water when you’re done.
Protective footwear is a good idea
The shore of the sea is covered in chunks of salt, and the seafloor goes back and forth between squishy mud and sharp salt chunks. The visibility of the water is not good either, so you can’t see where you’re walking in the water. To prevent any hurt feet, I recommend wearing some kind of waterproof protective footwear. You can do it without, but be prepared to step gingerly!
Your skin and bathing suit will feel really weird
While in the Dead Sea, your skin will feel soft and oily. But when you’re out of the water it will begin to feel almost sticky and dry. It’s a really strange feeling. You’ll feel that same sticky dryness on your swimsuit, towel, and anything else that has come into contact with Dead Sea water. A good washing will return everything to normal.
Shower and wash with soap when you’re done
When you’re finished swimming in the Dead Sea, it is a good idea to shower off with fresh water. Using soap will also help reduce that weird stickiness I mentioned. Washing will also help any stinging or irritation to your skin.
Re-hydrate really well afterward
Subjecting your body to highly concentrated salt water is a great way to dehydrate your body. You may not feel it right away, but an hour or two later you may feel tired, headachey and a bit grumpy. This is why it’s really important to re-hydrate your body after swimming in the Dead Sea.
Note: Thanks to Tourist Israel for hosting my tour to the Dead Sea. As always, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.
Have questions about swimming in the Dead Sea? Ask me in the comments below!
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66 Comments
I would love to go and experience the Dead Sea. Your article about the sea was really interesting.
Thanks for sharing
Love it. I first visited the dead sea at 18 when I was working on a kibbutz. When we got back we wrote a list on the wall of all the important things to do before going there. The top one was ensure you shave. Gosh we were horrid kids!
Gah! So mean! But probably something I’d do as a teen too XD
This was such an interesting post. Thanks for the tips on not shaving particularly. That would result in a lot of hurt for me haha. I cant wait to visit here after reading this…before its gone.
I would seriously love to do this one day! So sad it’s drying up more and more each year though, what a shame. The tip about not shaving your legs is an awesome idea – I would hate to be floating there and only thinking about my stinging legs :-/ Thanks for sharing these tips!
This is such a great guide! So many things I did not know about swimming in the Dead Sea!
This is such a cool experience! I can’t wait to try it for myself, seems like sooner will be better than later
Yes! Don’t wait!
This sounds like a great experience. I had no idea the Dead Sea was drying up!
Oh no! I didn’t realise that the Dead Sea was receding so quickly. That’s a bit sad that more isn’t done to protect it.
They have a couple projects in the plans, but it requires cooperation between a few different countries, and that makes it a bit more difficult.
I swam in the Dead Sea last year and I wish I had read this post beforehand!!
I was that person who got their hair wet and then it was weird and crusty and I basically had to use bucket loads of conditioner to fix it. Alsoooo going in with freshly shaved legs sounds SO painful (but totally understandable, I feel like I would have done this had I not been warned a few days before!)
Isn’t the crunchy hair SO WEIRD?!
Great article, loved the photos! Good information and I love the new look of your blog! Thank you!
Geez, I better get to the Dead Sea asap. I had no idea it was drying up so quickly! And such a great trip about joining a tour and finding a reputable beach with no sink holes. Thanks for a great post!
This post made me so excited because I’m going to the Dead Sea next week! Thanks for the tip about not shaving – I totally would have done that before going!
Great post! I’m a decent swimmer, but I find it super-hard to float in regular bodies of water – once I stop swimming, I literally start to sink 😛 It’d be nice not to have to worry about that somewhere haha.
These are all great tips! I’d love to visit someday 🙂
Such a helpful post. This is on my bucket list and will hopefully happen soon. The tip about rehydrating is one I haven’t heard before – super helpful.
Great article! This really makes me want to swim in the Dead Sea. The article is very informative and fun to read.
I loved reading this! Floating in the Dead Sea is one of my favorite things to do in Israel. Great post! You’ve really covered everything you need to know before going!!
This article was awesome and a good read! my friend swam in the Dead Sea last year and it’s definitely on my bucket list 🙂
My auntie spoke about her experience in the Red Sea the other day which really sparked my interest so I’m glad I’ve read your post. I can’t believe it may only be around for another few years. I’ll have to visit soon!
The Red Sea and the Dead Sea are two very different bodies of water! If you try to float like this on the Red Sea, you are going to struggle…
It is so much fun floating in the dead sea!! I see you floating on your stomach!! Loved that too. Such strange feeling!!
I didn’t realize the Dead Sea was drying up. This sounds like a memorable experience and unexpectedly has a few things in common with our trip to the Blue Lagoon (e.g. Mud masks and not getting your hair wet). Great tips – would have never thought about not shaving my legs.
I’ve always wanted to do this! Thanks for all the tips <3
Brianna,
Dead sea has been on my list for over 5 years. I was unsure of doing a solo trip to Israel and has been holding off. Really appreciate your tips and pinning it for later. If you have more tips on your travel, accommodation, culture etc… it would be greatly helpful!!
Cheers
I would have no problems going to Israel solo. I saw lots of women walking around the cities alone, and felt safe there.
I’ve heard lots about the Dead Sea, but I didn’t know that the coastline was receding so quickly. Definitely gives us travellers an impetus to head down to Israel and experience the sensation of staying afloat as soon as possible! 🙂
I hope I get the chance to do this. It sounds like it will be an experience of a lifetime. Thanks for all your tips. I will be prepared for this now.
OMG this is such a cool experience! I really appreciate all of these Dead Sea tips! I would’ve never considered shaving the day before as a no no. Glad you mentioned it.
It is a bucket list item to go swimming in the Dead Sea! Thank you so much for the safety tips- I never would have thought about the possibility of sinkholes. Also, great information about attire- I would have been googling that too!
Great article. I got all the information needed for visiting the dead sea in Israel. The pictures are amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Loved this post and loved these tips! I really feel like you answered every single question I could have had about visiting the dead sea, from leg shaving to bikinis! Great work 🙂
I was in Jordan recently and actually didn’t go to the Dead Sea as the beaches were just not appealing at all, and super expensive too.
Wonder if it’s better on the Israeli side…
Anyway, it looks like you had a lot of fun (other than the bumpy legs, ouch!!)
It must be so much fun! I haven’t been to Israel, but I did float in a salt mine in Cape Verde and it was hilarious. We had to be super careful with our eyes and when we put our feet down (which was super difficult when floating), it was very, very hot down there. After floating, I put on my dress without showering. After it dried, it was totally hard from the salt in the fabric 😀
Oh this looks so incredible. I never thought of the shaving issue and LOVE your recommendation on not to shave, well anywhere. I chuckled out loud at that park. I can imagine the salt/wound problem too. OUCH! This is such a great guide. I need to visit Israel and this amazing natural wonder – especially for the mud!!
These are all really great tips and some I wouldn’t even think of! I would love to go to the dead sea one day – and hopefully before it dries up!
Have been in the dead sea on the other side i.e the Jordan side. You end up discovering all the cuts on your body as they start burning as soon as the salty water touches them.
It’s so true!
These are really great tips to prep for a visit. I especially like that you’ve researched appropriate swimwear and I love the tip about not shaving your legs. That salt burn would not be fun to deal with!
I lived in Israel for 3 years and was by the Dead Sea a few times. It is so pitying to hear that it might dry out, but totally understandable. Israel is super west-oriented and you can wear a bikini, a mini skirt, tight pants, open blouses or whatever, just like in any other western country 🙂 Nice to read you enjoyed the Dead Sea so much, hope you enjoyed the rest of the country too.
Very helpful and interesting post. Thank goodness I stopped using blades on my skin! I’ve always wanted to visit the region but I’m really concerned about safety and Israel’s disregard of international law.
Love this 🙂 One of my favorite things my parents have ever done was float in the Dead Sea, I hope to one day! 🙂
This is super helpful post, especially the part about not shaving my legs…. LOL. That would have stung! And I didn’t realise the Dead Sea was receding. Much like a lot of the natural wonders of this world, best to explore it all now before its gone.
Oh my gosh thank you so much for sharing this post!! My mum always tells me stories of her visit and I’ve never really seen what it’d actually be like, but this is just perfect! I’d absolutely love to visit the dead sea, it looks like such an awesome thing to experience. GREAT tip about the leg shaving, will definitely be remembering that one!
This is such a great post! The tip about not shaving did make me giggle. I’ve made that mistake too many times before going to get a pedicure. They put the salt scrub on my legs and I want to kick them! LOL! I hate how the sea is receding-so sad!!
This looks like such a wonderful experience! I’d definitely like to do this someday…I had no idea the sea was drying up though 🙁 Hopefully I’ll make it there in time!
Such fortune to have this amazing experience! Saddening to hear that such an iconic place has such a short future in the forecast. Great safety tips, I didn’t realize that there were such sinkholes, so would plan for a reputable beach for sure. Fantastic pics!
I’ve been wanting to go here so bad! Didn’t have time to check it out when I was in Israel last time but it looks so fun.
Good tip for not shaving! I would never have thought about that, but it makes total sense. I would love to experience a dip in the sea. Sad to hear that it is shrinking! I better go soon!
I think shaving is the same as how people getting wax are advised not to go swimming at least 3 days after the session? But I’m glad that you have t his guide. Although I am not going to be able to visit the dead sea this year, it has been on my list for ages. 🙂
Such great tips and things that might not cross your mind beforehand! We are looking at traveling to Israel this summer and would love to try this! Definitely pinning for later! Cheers from Copenhagen, Erin
Oh I wouldn’t have thought of the sharp salt chunks, but that totally makes sense after you pointing it out. I have sensitive little baby feet so I’m sure I’d be crying without water shoes hahaha. I never thought that just floating/swimming in the dead sea would dehydrate you, so the drinking water tip is super helpful!
Such an informative article, great tips here! Especially the one about not shaving beforehand… 🙂
So cool! This is definitely on my bucketlist!! I saw a video last year of people training to swim across the lake, it looked so cool. Salt is so amazing. And I totally cringed as soon as I saw you shaved-ouch! 🙂
I have never heard that the dead sea is dying 🙁 Maybe it really worth hurrying up.
Great reminder to head there sooner than later. I have been longing to go to Israel as a whole as a Christian pilgrimage and to know that time is limited is sad. Thanks for the heads up on shaving! Yikes I can only imagine how much that would sting.
That’s on my bucket list! Gotta visit soon! The not shaving right before is an interesting tip. I never thought of that. Looks like an interesting experience.
What a fabulous adventure in Israel! I want to swim in the Dead Sea too! My good friend Mike needs to read this post ASAP. He’s planning a trip there in May. I’m sending him a link to this post right now…
The Dead Sea is so high on my list of places to go! I enjoyed this post a lot. THANK YOU for writing about the aftermath of shaving your legs. I hadn’t even considered such a thing!!
Wow! This looks like a super cool experience. It’s sad the sea is dying and is expected to vanish in a few years. Hope to plan a visit soon! Thanks for the helpful tips. Your pictures are simply amazing and perfectly describe the splendidness of the sea.
I visited the Dead sea 20 years ago when I was in Israel. It was such a cool and amazing experience. I remember smothering myself with mud and I had a little cut and it was stinging so much! Yes, definitely avoid shaving your legs! Would love to go back as my husband hasn’t been. I better plan a return trip soon seeing as the sea is drying up, and there’s only a few years left to see it.
I have swum in the Dead Sea, in Jordan. You’re right, you do float effortlessly in it and that’s really amazing and I agree, you need to wash with soap thereafter, just to get the salt off yourself. The mud is meant to have healing properties but you’re right, you can never know with sensitive skin, it might have an allergic reaction so it’s always good to be safe. Very good tip on not shaving right before going for a swim, I can imagine it must sting really bad, with all that amount of salt! Never really thought about it like that 🙂
I swam in the dead sea when I visited Jordan last year – it was such a fun experience, but I agree with the whole cuts/shaving thing! All the salt had me going “oh, eek, oh” haha! x