Dead Sea

The lowest place on Earth

Sitting in a car winding down the Jordan Valley road from Amman, you pass a sign that reads “Sea Level” and then, a few kilometres further, another that reads “100 metres below sea level.” By the time you reach the Dead Sea shore, you are 430 metres below the level of the world’s oceans — the lowest point on the Earth’s surface. The descent is visible: the air thickens slightly, the landscape becomes more arid and heat-shimmered, and then the Dead Sea appears: a vast flat expanse of blue-grey water fringed by white salt crystals, with the Judean Hills of the West Bank rising behind it.

The Dead Sea is not a destination for days. It is a destination for an afternoon — extraordinary in its way, but the experience itself (float, apply mud, shower, lie by pool, repeat) takes a few hours. What makes the Dead Sea worth your time is the combination of the physical novelty, the therapeutic properties that devotees take seriously, and the peculiar beauty of the landscape. The minerals in the water — magnesium, potassium, bromine, iodine — have been exploited for skincare for centuries, and the region has attracted wellness tourism since the Roman period.

The Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve is directly adjacent to the Dead Sea shore, and the Siq Trail (a water canyon hike) makes an adventurous addition to a Dead Sea day — though note that the Siq Trail is only open April through October. The hot springs at Hammamat Ma’in, an hour’s drive south, offer another variation on the mineral water theme.

Getting to the Dead Sea

From Amman (1 hour)

The Dead Sea is 65 kilometres west of Amman, a 1-hour drive down a switchback road through the Jordan Valley. Most visitors come as a day trip from Amman. Taxis from Amman to the Dead Sea area charge approximately 25-35 JOD one-way (agree the price before departure); most drivers will wait for 2-3 hours while you use the resort facilities and return for an agreed fee. Alternatively, book a day trip from Amman that includes transport and sometimes a resort day pass.

Dead Sea full-day trip from Amman Dead Sea private half-day trip from Amman

By organised day trip

Several operators run Dead Sea day trips from Amman that include transport plus entry to a resort beach (sometimes with lunch). These are particularly useful for solo travellers who do not want to negotiate the taxi logistics, or families who want a guaranteed sun-lounger and pool experience without the complexity of booking separate resort day passes.

Some operators combine the Dead Sea with Madaba and Mount Nebo in a single day — an efficient way to cover central Jordan’s main sights. See our Madaba and Mount Nebo guide for how to structure this itinerary.

Self-drive

A rental car makes the Dead Sea easy. The road from Amman is well-signed and takes about 1 hour without traffic. Parking is available at all the resorts. If you are combining Dead Sea with Madaba (1.5 hours from Amman via the longer scenic route through the Jordan Valley), a car is the most practical option.

The floating experience: what to know

How to float

The buoyancy of the Dead Sea water means you float automatically — no effort required. The recommended posture is on your back, arms outstretched, legs extended. Do not attempt to swim in the standard sense; the density makes conventional swimming strokes nearly impossible and slightly comical. Just lie back and let the water hold you.

Important: do not splash water into your eyes or mouth. Dead Sea water in the eyes is extremely painful and will send you back to the shower immediately. The salt concentration is also corrosive to exposed cuts and scratches — minor wounds sting significantly on contact. Check your skin before entry and cover any cuts if possible.

Stay in the water for a maximum of 15-20 minutes at a time. The high mineral concentration is therapeutic but the body absorbs minerals rapidly, and longer sessions can cause dehydration or dizziness. After floating, shower thoroughly at the resort facilities — Dead Sea water and salt residue are damaging to swimwear and jewellery if left on.

The mud

Dead Sea black mud is rich in minerals (primarily magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, and bromine compounds) and has been used in skincare since ancient times. The standard procedure at most resorts: collect mud from the designated area, apply it liberally to skin, wait 10-15 minutes for it to dry, then wade back into the Dead Sea to rinse off. Some resorts offer mud that has been collected, processed, and put into containers — more sanitary but less entertaining than the authentic shore-side experience.

The skincare benefits (moisturising, anti-inflammatory, mildly exfoliating) are real enough to have built a multi-billion-dollar industry. Whether you notice any difference after a single session depends on your starting point. Most visitors find the ritual enjoyable regardless of therapeutic effect.

Sunrise and the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea at dawn, before the air temperature climbs and before the resort facilities open, has a particular quality. The water is mirror-flat, the light comes from behind the Judean Hills, and the salt flats along the shoreline glitter. Several photographers specifically travel to the Dead Sea for sunrise shoots. If you want this experience, drive down from Amman by 5:30 am and find a viewpoint along the Dead Sea Highway — no resort entry required for photography from the road.

Where to access the Dead Sea

Resort day passes

The Dead Sea shoreline is predominantly controlled by hotel resort properties, which charge a day-use fee for access to their beach, facilities, and pool. The major resort stretch is centred around the town of Sweimeh, roughly 50 kilometres from the Dead Sea Highway junction.

Kempinski Ishtar Dead Sea — One of the most visually dramatic resort properties in Jordan, with a stepped infinity pool system descending towards the sea and excellent spa facilities. The Anantara Spa at the Kempinski is considered among the best Dead Sea wellness experiences.

Mövenpick Resort Dead Sea — The most established large resort on the Jordan side, with well-maintained facilities, a strong beach section, and a reliable day-use programme.

Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea — A more affordable option for day use, with pool access and beach entry at lower rates than the luxury properties.

Day-use fees at the major resorts typically include sun lounger access, beach access, and use of pools. Costs vary significantly by season and property — budget approximately 30-60 JOD per adult at mid-range resorts; the luxury properties charge more. Pre-book during peak season (October-March) as day passes sell out.

Dead Sea day pass with optional holy sites combination

Public beach access

A small public beach access point exists on the Dead Sea Highway south of Sweimeh at the Al-Ameer public beach. Facilities here are basic — no sun loungers, limited showers, modest changing rooms — but the floating experience is the same, and there is no entry fee beyond a nominal parking charge. This is the budget option; bring your own water, towels, and supplies.

What to combine with a Dead Sea visit

Madaba and Mount Nebo (1.5 hours north)

The Byzantine mosaic map of the Holy Land at St George’s Church in Madaba and Moses’s traditional viewpoint at Mount Nebo make natural companions to a Dead Sea day. This combination — Dead Sea in the morning, Madaba and Nebo in the afternoon — is the standard day trip from Amman and covers central Jordan’s main attractions in a single long day.

Wadi Mujib Canyon and Siq Trail

The Wadi Mujib Biosphere Reserve sits directly adjacent to the Dead Sea, 30 kilometres south of Sweimeh. The Siq Trail is a guided water canyon hike that involves wading, scrambling, and swimming through a narrow gorge. It is one of the most dramatic physical experiences in Jordan — challenging, wet, and genuinely exciting. Booking is required through the RSCN (Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature); see our Wadi Mujib guide for details. Note: the Siq Trail is closed November through March due to flash flood risk.

Hammamat Ma’in hot springs

About 1 hour south of the Dead Sea resort area, the Hammamat Ma’in hot springs tumble down a rocky gorge in a series of thermal waterfalls — temperatures reaching 45°C in some pools, cooler in others. The contrast between the scalding springs and the cool plunge pools is what most visitors come for. The Evason Ma’in Six Senses resort controls the best access point; day passes are available. See our Hammamat Ma’in guide.

Dead Sea and Hammamat Ma’in hot springs full-day tour

When to visit the Dead Sea

Best: October to May

The Dead Sea is technically accessible year-round, but the experience changes dramatically with the season.

October through March is ideal. Air temperatures sit between 20-28°C — warm enough for outdoor swimming and sunbathing, cool enough to be comfortable on the walk between pool and sea. The resort facilities are at their best and the crowds are manageable outside Jordanian public holiday weekends.

April and May are excellent: temperatures climbing but not yet extreme, the landscape is green after winter rains, and the light is beautiful.

Summer (June to September): an honest assessment

The Dead Sea in summer is a paradox. Air temperatures routinely exceed 40-45°C, which makes standing on the salt flats a genuinely uncomfortable experience. However, the Dead Sea water temperature remains between 32-35°C — hot, but refreshing relative to the air. The ultra-violet index is also lower at the Dead Sea than elsewhere because of the extra air column above (being 430m below sea level); you are less likely to burn than you might be at the same temperature on a beach elsewhere.

If you must visit in summer: arrive at 7 am, use the water and pool until 11 am, then retreat entirely to air-conditioned resort facilities. The midday Dead Sea is not a place to linger.

Dead Sea shrinkage

The Dead Sea is shrinking — it has lost approximately one-third of its surface area in the past 50 years, primarily due to water diversion from the Jordan River for agricultural and industrial use. The visible evidence: salt flats and sinkholes where water once lapped the shore, and resort beaches that have had to build piers and walkways to reach the receding waterline. This is not a reason to avoid visiting, but it is context worth having — the Dead Sea you visit today is a fragment of what it was a century ago, and the trend is ongoing.

Practical information for the Dead Sea

• Bring water — the hot, dry environment causes rapid dehydration; resort water and drinks are expensive
• Leave jewellery and watches in your hotel room — Dead Sea water corrodes metals rapidly
• Wear an old swimsuit — the mineral-rich water can stain and degrade fabric, particularly white or light colours
• Waterproof sandals are useful for navigating the salt-encrusted shoreline
• Bring a waterproof phone case if you want underwater photos — regular phones and cameras should be kept away from the water
• Towels are sometimes included in resort day passes; confirm in advance
• ATMs: use ATMs in Amman or Madaba before heading to the Dead Sea — ATMs are scarce in the resort area

How the Dead Sea fits into a Jordan itinerary

The Dead Sea slots naturally between Amman and the southern circuit. Most visitors either:

1. Visit as a day trip from Amman, then continue south to Petra via the King’s Highway (stopping at Madaba and Karak), or
2. Include the Dead Sea as a recovery day after Petra and Wadi Rum, before flying out from Amman.

The second option is underappreciated — arriving at the Dead Sea after 2 days walking around Petra and a night in a desert camp is genuinely restorative. The mineral soak takes on a different quality when your legs are tired from 800 Monastery steps.

See the 5-day Jordan itinerary which positions the Dead Sea between Amman and Petra, and the 7-day Jordan itinerary which adds a day to the Dead Sea before the southern loop.

Frequently asked questions about the Dead Sea

Can you actually float without trying?

Yes. The salinity (around 34%) makes the water significantly denser than the human body. You float involuntarily on your back. You cannot sink even if you try. The experience is disorienting in the best possible way — nothing you have swum in before will have felt like this.

Is the Dead Sea actually dying?

It is shrinking. The Dead Sea has lost approximately one-third of its surface area since the 1970s due to water diversion from the Jordan River. The shoreline has receded significantly, creating sinkholes and salt flats where water once stood. The Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal project (a water conveyance scheme from the Red Sea) has been discussed for decades but remains unbuilt. Visit now rather than waiting.

How long should you float in the Dead Sea?

15-20 minutes maximum at one time. The high mineral concentration means your body absorbs salts rapidly; more than 20 minutes can cause dizziness or nausea. After floating, shower immediately. Most visitors float twice — once in the morning and once before leaving.

Is the Dead Sea good for skin conditions?

There is peer-reviewed evidence supporting the Dead Sea’s benefits for psoriasis and certain eczema types — the magnesium-rich water and the specific UV light spectrum at this altitude (with reduced UVB and relatively higher UVA) have documented therapeutic effects. Short-term visitors may notice improved skin texture after even one visit. The multi-week Dead Sea treatment programmes (some requiring a physician referral) are a separate category.

Do I need a resort day pass to access the Dead Sea?

No. The public Al-Ameer beach on the Dead Sea Highway offers free-to-low-cost access. Facilities are basic (limited showers, no sun loungers). If you want a sun lounger, pool, food service, and proper showers, a resort day pass (approximately 30-60 JOD at mid-range properties) is the better option.

How far is the Dead Sea from Amman?

About 65 kilometres and 1 hour by car. Taxis charge approximately 25-35 JOD one-way from Amman city centre.

Plan your Dead Sea visit

Book your resort day pass in advance if visiting during peak season (October-March) or on weekends — the main Dead Sea resorts sell out their day-pass allocations. If you plan to combine the Dead Sea with a Wadi Mujib Siq Trail hike, book the RSCN trail in advance through the official RSCN website (the trail has a daily capacity limit). For transport from Amman, a private guided day trip is the simplest option for first-time visitors.

See our Dead Sea floating guide and Dead Sea mud guide for experience-specific detail, and our wellness and spa hub for the full Dead Sea region therapeutic options.

More related tours

• From Amman: half-day tour to Dead Sea and Crystal beach
• Dead Sea full-day tour from Amman
• From Amman: 5-hour Dead Sea experience with lunch & return
• From Amman: Jerash and Dead Sea full-day tour