A traveler's guide to Dead Sea
This is a half-day of water, not a week of swimming. Pair it with the road, and respect the salt.
The Dead Sea is a beach only in the sense that you lie in water at the edge of a desert. You float. You do not dive, and you do not put your face in. The Jordanian shore near Sweimeh is the calm, resort version, with the hills of the other side in the haze.
When to go
October to April is when standing outside is reasonable. Summer at this elevation of heat is harsh even though the water is the attraction. Mornings are the humane hours.
The beach
Resort beaches and public access sit along the highway. The shore can be pebbly and salty underfoot. Sandals are the right choice. Facilities matter because you will want a serious shower.
In the water
Walk in, sit back, and keep the water out of your eyes and mouth. Any cut will announce itself. A few minutes is enough for the trick, and longer is a personal decision. Rinse with fresh water before you think you are done.
If you only remember this
- Do not shave the morning you go in.
- Jewelry and a nice watch stay in the room. The salt is not kind.
- Drink more water than the float suggests. The air is dry.
- Amman is under an hour. The Dead Sea is a day trip or a one-night stop.