The Dead Sea is the most frequented beach vacation spot in the country (after Eilat) for Israelis and tourists alike. With it’s spa-like qualities, it’s hard not to see why everyone heads there. At 430 meters below sea level, it’s the lowest point on dry land in the world. From it’s high percentage of saline (about 35% compared to 3.5% in a normal ocean), it allows bathers to float. It’s a truly unique experience.
On the way down to the Dead Sea, if you take the bus you may stop at a gas station along the way and there will be camels there. You can pay to ride them during the break, but you can also just take selfies with the camels. I don’t know how they’re treated so it’s best to just leave them be.
When visiting the Dead Sea, there are several areas to visit to. I usually visit Ein Bokek, since it’s the most populated and that’s where most of the hotels and shopping centers are (now with tax free malls!).
Neve Zohar is a few minutes south, and is mostly made up of guest cottages and B&Bs.
Passing Masada National Park to the north, which is also a must visit if you’re in the area, is Ein Gedi, a natural oasis. The nature reserve is the perfect place to go when the temperature gets too high, but during the summer months it’s completely packed. The beach is free of charge.
At the very end of the Dead Sea are three lesser-known beaches. Kalia, Neve Midbar, and Biankini Beaches all share the same strip of beach, but are completely different from each other. Kalia is very conservative and mostly international tourists, Neve Midbar is mostly partying and younger people coming on day trips, and Biankini is a mix of everything and has a restaurant and is close to some hotels. These three beaches do charge an entry fee, so make sure to bring cash since some places don’t accept card.
Some notes about the water: Do not try to swim in the water, you might end up splashing salt water in your eyes and you don’t want that. Wear goggles or sunglasses for extra eye protection. Most of the beaches are rocky from the salt, and wearing shoes to get into the water is advised. The high salt volume in the water will make you float, and it is so relaxing. There are also plenty of chairs around for you to just sit in and enjoy the water.
Being at the lowest point on the planet, the sun is very strong. The hottest it got while I visited in April was around 33° C (91.4° F), but keep in mind it is very humid and the rays from the sun make it feel warmer than it is. Also, the sea water basically becomes a bath at a certain temperature. Make sure you are drinking a lot of water, I can’t tell how many times people get sick because they aren’t drinking enough. There are cold water filters, water fountains, and ice buckets almost everywhere. Stay hydrated! The salt also may solidify and your skin will become flaky, but it washes off right away in fresh water.
A must do while at the Dead Sea is definitely to cover yourself in mud and just bake. The mud is rich in minerals that’s amazing for your skin and can help relieve some skin conditions. There are some beaches that have the tubs just sitting out, but you can also buy packs from the stores nearby in Ein Bokek. There are several different kinds of products, but from my experience just buy from the kiosks and DO NOT pay more than 5 shekels for a ~500 ml bag. They’re all more or less the same, so it’s not worth it to spend more than you have to. With the mud, just slather it on all over (you may need help getting your back) and hang out while it dries. The cold mud will feel great in the hot sun. You’ll know it’s dry when it starts lightening in color and begins to crack. Once the mud is fully dry, you can either hop in the outdoor shower or just head right back into the sea. Expect super smooth baby skin and enjoy!
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International Itinerary 