No Noodle is Necessary When You "Swim" in the Dead SeaTen Things to Know Before You Go Bobbing in the Dead Sea
I try to avoid tourist traps when I'm traveling, but there is no way that I was skipping an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea, and truth be told, it is an experience for sure. But there are definitely a few things you should know before taking the plunge:
1) There is no such thing as swimming in the Dead Sea. When you sit your butt down in the water, it essentially feels as though you're floating in a pool with a plastic noodle. Only there's no noodle. Your feet and shoulders rise and bob, and it takes a few seconds of getting used to.
2) The salt that lines the sea bottom is rough on your feet, and will cut you up severely if you don't wear water shoes of some kind. (Naturally, I chose to wear the dorkiest ones I could find, and opted to put a picture of myself wearing them on the Internet). Protect your feet and plan accordingly.
3) Fast Facts: The Dead Sea is actually not a sea at all, but a lake that's made up of about 30 percent salt. It is the lowest place on earth at 417 feet below sea level. Its properties have been known to cure skin conditions and help with respiration, and its mud is used in spa treatments in the many hotels along the shoreline...
4) Being wrapped in mud is a very weird sensation. Being wrapped in mud and then wrapped in a blanket and then left in a dark room for 20 minutes feels a bit like being made into a human mud-bun.
5) Do not shave at least two days before you plan to take a dunk in the Dead Sea, and be prepared if you have any open cuts or sores while you're swimming, as you will quickly learn the real meaning of putting salt in one's wound.
6) Plan ahead and bring a prop for the iconic photo op. I brought along my National Geographic yellow rectangle.
7) Don't put your face in the water if you can avoid it. My photo op was marred by the fact that I had just gotten a bit of seawater in my eye. Believe me when I tell you that it burns.
8) Wear an old bathing suit, as the water often discolors whatever you're wearing.
9) Rinse what you're wearing thoroughly after you've gotten out of the water. I waited to rinse my ugly water shoes, and there's now a persistent layer of grime that I believe may need some industrial-strength cleaning. Perhaps I will sacrifice them to the Dead Sea gods.
10) Unless you intend to work on a skin condition, I wouldn't plan on an extended stay in the region. There's not a lot happening at the Dead Sea itself (this place is kind of dead...) and many of the hotels tend to look a bit on the shabby side, as the harsh conditions there have weathered them. If you do want to stay, be sure to look at all of the options available, from the Kibbutz Ein Gedi, which came highly recommended by my tour guide, Ziv, to camping in the desert, to staying at the youth hostels at nearby Masada and Ein Gedi. The surrounding region is increasingly offering more hiking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities so there's much more to do than just float (more on those options coming soon).
Read More: King Herod's spectacular three-level palace-fortress cascading down the north face of Masada was the subject of a recent National Geographic magazine cover story, photo gallery, TV special, and even video game. You can take a 3D tour of it here.
Photo: Janelle Nanos
7) Don't put your face in the water if you can avoid it. My photo op was marred by the fact that I had just gotten a bit of seawater in my eye. Believe me when I tell you that it burns.
8) Wear an old bathing suit, as the water often discolors whatever you're wearing.
9) Rinse what you're wearing thoroughly after you've gotten out of the water. I waited to rinse my ugly water shoes, and there's now a persistent layer of grime that I believe may need some industrial-strength cleaning. Perhaps I will sacrifice them to the Dead Sea gods.
10) Unless you intend to work on a skin condition, I wouldn't plan on an extended stay in the region. There's not a lot happening at the Dead Sea itself (this place is kind of dead...) and many of the hotels tend to look a bit on the shabby side, as the harsh conditions there have weathered them. If you do want to stay, be sure to look at all of the options available, from the Kibbutz Ein Gedi, which came highly recommended by my tour guide, Ziv, to camping in the desert, to staying at the youth hostels at nearby Masada and Ein Gedi. The surrounding region is increasingly offering more hiking, bicycling, and other outdoor activities so there's much more to do than just float (more on those options coming soon).
Read More: King Herod's spectacular three-level palace-fortress cascading down the north face of Masada was the subject of a recent National Geographic magazine cover story, photo gallery, TV special, and even video game. You can take a 3D tour of it here.
Photo: Janelle Nanos
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alas my trip must have predated photography, as I have no photo of myself here. Love your iconic triangle. How do you resist putting your face in it like a frame?
Loved the piece. Keep up the good work!
Thanks. I'm going to be there in about 2 weeks. This his handy to know.
Gary Arndt
Everything-Everywhere.com
Looks like so much fun! Still on the ever expanding list of places to experience.
I guess salt imports aren't really an issue here ;). Sounds like a lot of trouble to try and bob around in the Dead Sea, but still looks interesting!
Wow, that was an awesome trip even though you didn't swim. The experience is something you can brag about ^_^ Nice place, uh?
Giggle (cause I did) all you want, but please make sure that you do not fart/break wind while in the water.
A vacuum is created and all the sudden you've sucked up a substantial amount of water which is pretty painful.
Also, pay attention to the "Not Shaving" tip!
Wow, that's one tip I did not personally experience, thank god. But it's a good one to keep in mind.
gsegall said...
I've been to the dead sea many times, and it IS AMAZING!!!
You walk in, turn around and lay baaaack and you just float...its like your sitting on a char or something.
But make sure to not shave ANYWHERE, and carefull of cuts, even small ones will get notices when your floating in salt. And even thought your in water, DO NOT dunk!!!
on a side note, there is a place across form the dead sea called "Ein Gedi", which is bacially a nature preserve with georgous water falls...IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT!!! its like 10 min away, and deffenetly worth the trip.
I am an american but travel alot, and Israel is NOT as dangerous or scary as the media makes it seems.
Enjoy!!
The Dead Sea has two coastlines and if you visit Jordan on the eastern side (as I did whilst working there) the sea bottom is fine, no shoes needed.