Floating at the lowest point on earth and drinking at the lowest bar in the world, experiencing the Dead Sea is definitely a bucket list destination.
Discover the secrets to the best experience at the Dead Sea
How long do I need at the Dead Sea?
Many group tours are half days to the Dead Sea and somewhere else. My first trip I teamed it with visiting Jerusalem which meant we visited Kalia Beach. The second trip we doubled up with Masada and went to Ein Bokek beach. Half a day here is enough. You can of course to choose to stay at one of the resorts but I would advise that unless you are using it as a pit stop you don’t need to stay.
Which beach should I choose, what is the difference?
There are two main beaches that you can float in the sea at; Kalia and Ein Bokek. Group half day trips will usually take you to Kalia Beach as it’s closest. The main difference is Kalia has the Lowest Bar in the world, mud on the sea bed and attracts a great number of people. Ein Bokek is the luxe version but with no mud on the seabed but a far more beautiful beach.
Kalia Beach
The first thing that struck me was how it felt like stepping into a resort, complete with a café, shops, and even changing rooms. But be prepared- this is not an enjoyable experience. It’s a big communal room (there were cubicles for those that were more modest).
If you are coming straight from your hotel then I would wear your swimmers under your clothes to make the changing room a quick experience. There are lockers with codes on so you can safely leave not just your clothes but your jewellery too. And they are free. You can buy or hire towels from the shop or just bring your own (and a plastic bag for it to get back to your hotel in).
The sea bed made up of the famous black mud so is incredibly slippy. It is also pure and natural, so if you have sensitive skin, test it before covering yourself! If your skin can take it then you literally scoop it off the floor of the sea, come out of the water and apply! There is a trick where you can buy / bring a magnet and once it’s dry then the magnet will lift the mud off leaving all the amazing properties. I did not get this far. I put a little bit on my cheeks to start. Within a few minutes they were stinging and obviously it can’t wash it off in the salty sea so headed for the outdoor showers. I didn’t do my whole face or I would have been a beetroot! I also found my legs nipped a little in the water even though I had left it a day since shaving.
After all the obstacles your reward is to then float. That’s it, no trick – you just float so don’t worry if you aren’t a swimmer. It is important to shower after there are outdoor and then those back at the changing rooms. Ready to then pop to ‘The lowest bar in the world!’. Whilst I am all about rooftops and views but this place was a bucket list moment too! Just by the beach, two for the price of one and naturally when I saw a Dead Sea margarita on the menu, well I couldn’t not! (It was the saltiest margarita I’ve ever had!) But be careful as the sea is so detoxing you could feel quite sick if you hammered it!
Overall it’s a bit of a cattle experience. Showers, changing rooms, lockers – doesn’t feel a calm, luxury experience at all! BUT one hundred percent worth it.
Ein Bokek
Now this was is the luxe version of visiting the Dead Sea based in the south basin. I’m glad it was my second time or I would not have appreciated Kalia Beach as much if I had done it the other way round! This is a hotel resort but you don’t have to stay. We opted for a half day spa at Milos – a weirdly Greek inspired hotel. We were given a robe, towel, locker and mud. The big difference is that Kalia beach there isn’t mud on the sea bed here but you can still enjoy the benefits of its minerals with a packet bought. This stuff did not sting me! 🙂
The changing facilities were not great. 2 showers off 2 toilets. Very strange! But most people are staying the night so have their own rooms but still. There was an indoor salt float tank for those who want to practice the art of floating but you don’t need to – head straight out to the beach!
As this is a resort you can grab a cocktail or bubbles to attempt to float with. It is harder than it looks whilst also clinging onto your sliders so you can make a dignified exit!! You can then make your way to the terrace bar for a well earned rose.
Dos and Don’ts for the Dead Sea
• Don’t shave anything for a day or so before you get to the Dead Sea – the minerals in the water will make every scratch sting.
• Do not wear jewellery in the sea – almost everything except 24-carat gold will instantly tarnish (though it can be cleaned).
• If you are wanting a bikini insta shot then don’t wear your favourite one as they can discolour and I would opt for a swim suit as getting and out is not an elegant experience!
• Phones – now you can’t go all this way and lock it away with no evidence of your fabulous floating though many do. I did not. I planned ahead and brought a waterproof case for it.
• Once in do not splash or dunk your head – if water gets in your eyes, it will sting! This isn’t time for actually swimming in the sea. It’s all about floating and boy do you float! It’s quite quite incredible.
• Weather – as we went in winter & spring I was surprised at warm it was – we were told in the summer you can’t get burnt as it so low into the ground! If you come in summer or even in winter its recommended drinking lots of fresh water – the Dead Sea’s dry heat (up to 47°C) can quickly suck you dry of precious bodily fluid
• Sea Shoes – Both beaches have a salt rock sea bed as you initially enter. At Kalia there is an overpriced tourist shop to sell some if you didn’t bring any like me or you can just use flip flops or sliders – just don’t let them float off!
• There are also 28 minerals in the water so whilst this is amazing for your body it can also be a lot for your body – so they advise 30 minutes.
Which ever beach you choose, this is an incredible experience especially as they say the Dead Sea is disappearing a meter a year – so one day it may not exist.