At about 430 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea shore is the lowest point on land. The water is roughly ten times saltier than the ocean, and the mineral-rich mud has drawn people here for centuries. It's a natural spa day you won't forget.
How do you do the Dead Sea in luxury? Stay at a five-star resort on the Jordanian shore, like the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar with its nine pools and big spa. Coat yourself in the mineral mud, float for no more than 20 minutes, shower right after, and give the rest of the afternoon to the spa.
Key facts
- Where it is: about an hour's drive from Amman.
- The numbers: about 430 meters below sea level, with water about 34% salt (the ocean is about 3.5%).
- Where to stay: Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa or Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea.
- Floating rules: no shaving for 24 hours before, no water in your eyes, 20 minutes at a time.
- Our trip: two nights at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, with a complimentary spa treatment, on the Jordan Experience.
The Science Behind the Experience
People come for the mud, the salt water and the sun, and many travelers with skin or joint complaints say they feel better after a few days. Talk to your doctor if you're going for a medical reason.
Dead Sea Resorts
| Property | Category | Why We Like It |
|---|---|---|
| Kempinski Hotel Ishtar | 5-star | Nine pools and a big spa; where our Jordan Experience stays |
| Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa | 5-star | Spa and infinity pool |
| Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea | 5-star | Village-style layout, Zara Spa |
| Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea | 4-star | Easy, good-value option |
What Makes the Dead Sea Unique
The Dead Sea is shrinking. Its level drops by about a meter a year, mostly because water from the Jordan River is diverted before it arrives. The shoreline you see today isn't the one your parents would have seen.
Photo: Tommaso Delton / Unsplash
Dead Sea Fast Facts
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About -430m (lowest point on land) |
| Salinity | About 34% (vs. about 3.5% for the ocean) |
| Length | 50 km |
| Minerals | Magnesium, potassium, calcium, bromide |
| Shrinkage rate | ~1 meter/year |
The Floating Experience
You don't swim in the Dead Sea. You float. The water is so dense that you bob on top of it like a cork, which is strange and delightful and oddly calming.
Photo: sander traa / Unsplash
Tips for floating:
- Don't shave for 24 hours before (the salt stings)
- Don't splash water in your eyes (it burns intensely)
- Limit floating to 20 minutes
- Shower immediately afterward
- Apply the mineral mud before floating for maximum benefit
The Dead Sea is the soft landing at the end of a Jordan trip. Before it, you might be climbing to the Monastery in Petra or sleeping in a bubble suite in Wadi Rum, so pack for all three with my guide to what to wear in Jordan.
It's part of our Jordan Experience. Float with us. You've earned a slow afternoon.
Destination Guide
Destination Guide
Destination Guide