Can You Swim In The Dead Sea

So you want to swim the Dead Sea but are confused about whether it is a good idea or not? Well, you have landed on the right webpage as here I am going to cover all of the essential things that help you decide whether swimming in the Dead Sea would be the right idea or not.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started –

Can You Swim In The Dead Sea? If yes, How?

The Dead Sea is a salt lake surrounded by Jordan and Israel. It is heavily famous for its high saline content. The sea is considered dead because it has a very high buoyancy. That means it is almost impossible to dive deeper into the sea because of its mineral and salt density.

The Dead Sea is considered a primary tourist place, and its waters are said to have healing capabilities.

Therefore, if you wish to swim in the Dead Sea, you can do so, but preventive measures must be taken. To swim in the water body, you must swim on your back and move around with the help of your hands. It is usually advised not to swim in the Dead Sea face down since the salty water can be hazardous to you.

Why Is It Called The Dead Sea?

The Dead Sea got its name due to the stark lack of movement in the water body. The lake’s water is so rich in minerals and salts that it is nearly impossible for plants or organisms to survive.

The Dead Sea is also referred to as the Salt Sea due to the very high percentage of salts present in the water. It is pretty surprising, but the salinity level of the lake is as high as 35%, making it one of the most saline lakes in the world.

Tips & Rules For Swimming In The Dead Sea?

If you are planning to swim in the Dead Sea, you must keep in mind a set of rules to avoid facing any mishaps. Below, we have shared some of the best tips that you can follow to swim safely in the Dead Sea –

• Swimmers are suggested not to let the salty water enter their eyes and not to rub them in case the water does enter their eyes.
• Do not enter the water if you have shaved recently since it can cause a burning sensation. Similarly, do not attempt to drink the water as it can cause you to choke.
• Even though other water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding are allowed in the Dead sea, you must not splash the water around, and you should not try to dive into the sea waters.

Can You Drown In The Dead Sea?

Even though it seems quite impossible, you can end up drowning in the Dead sea. It is possible to get drowned if you drink the saline water or try to swim face down in the water body. Therefore, I highly recommend following the guidelines that we shared above.

Unlike swimming in Alaska, where you can face health consequences like hypothermia, you may face health problems like gastrointestinal and respiratory illness. Even there have been multiple drowning cases in the Dead Sea. However, it usually happens if an aged or disabled person tries to swim without assistance or people don’t follow the recommended guidelines.

Can You Dive To The Bottom Of The Dead Sea?

If you wish to dive into the Dead Sea, it is possible to do so, but it will be quite challenging. However, it requires more professional equipment, face masks, and weights to dive into the Dead Sea.

Usually, only professional divers equipped with proper gear dive into the sea. Even if you are not an experienced diver, you can attempt to dive into the sea but only with the help of a professional diver.

Is It Free To Swim In The Dead Sea?

Yes, you can swim in the Dead Sea for free, even though there are paid alternatives. But if you wish to do it for free, you must access the sea from Jordan and reach the Wadi Mujib canyon, where you can park your vehicles for free as well.

The distance of the Dead Sea is barely 100 meters from the mentioned checkpoint. You can also check out a freshwater lake situated nearby if you follow a trail that goes in the opposite direction of the Dead sea.

Benefits Of Swimming In The Dead Sea

Since we have mentioned that there are several benefits of swimming in the Dead Sea, let’s take a look at how the saltwater lake can help you improve your health.

Primarily, the Dead Sea helps treat skin conditions and issues like joint pain since it is loaded with salts and minerals that are therapeutic to your body. It is also notable that swimming in the dead sea also helps in improving the nervous and circulatory systems of your body.

What If I Drink From The Dead Sea While Swimming?

Drinking the water from the Dead sea is not beneficial to you at all, and it can affect your body majorly. If you consume salt water from the Dead sea, you can have issues with your kidneys and heart due to electrolyte imbalance.

If you end up consuming vast amounts of saline water, then it can be fatal to you, and you must detoxify it. It can also lead to high blood pressure, seizures, or a coma.

How Long Can You Stay In The Dead Sea?

Swimmers are advised not to swim in the Dead Sea for more than ten to fifteen minutes. Even though it seems like a very short amount of time, you must keep in mind that the salt levels are very high in these waters.

If you stay for more extended periods, you can end up suffering from dehydration which can affect your body irreversibly. You can also have issues related to your skin, and you can also suffer a heat stroke.

Why Can’t You Put Your Face In The Dead Sea?

You are not allowed to put your face in the Dead Sea because it can end up causing severe irritation to your eyes. You can slowly end up consuming the water by mistake, which can affect your health drastically.

Are There Sharks, Fish, Etc In The Dead Sea?

Due to the extreme saline nature of the Dead Sea, plants and sea animals can’t survive in the water body. Despite the severe lack of flora and fauna, a multitude of bacterial organisms has been able to survive in the waters.

As of right now, there are more than 80 distinct species of green sulfur bacteria, cyanobacteria, and fungi that are surviving in the water body as well as the surrounding regions.

Can Children Swim In The Dead Sea?

Yes, children are allowed to swim in the Dead Sea. However, it is advised to monitor them at all times. If someone is unable to assist a child while they are swimming in the Dead Sea, it could cause health problems to them if they consume the salty water.

How Clean Is The Water Of The Dead Sea?

The Dead Sea is clean enough that people can bathe and swim in it, but there have been some instances of sewage release in the Dead Sea. Measures have been taken by both the surrounding countries to stop any such activities.

But if industrial advancement keeps on happening and proper measures are not taken, the natural state of the water body can be irreversibly affected.

Is The Dead Sea Shrinking & Evaporating?

Yes, due to overheating, extreme changes in temperatures, as well as disturbances in the ecosystem, the Dead Sea has been evaporating at a rapid rate.

It is estimated that about a meter of depth evaporates every year due to increasing temperatures. There were measures supposed to be taken for the issue, but both countries have not come up with a collaborative plan. So, for now, the Dead Sea is shrinking, and all preventive measures are on hold.

Best Places To Stay Near The Dead Sea?

If you are planning to visit the Dead Sea, you can refer to the places mentioned below for a splendid stay. Here are some hotels that you can book for your visit to the Dead Sea.

• Herods Dead Sea Hotel
• Leonardo Club Hotel
• Isrotel Ganim Hotel
• Kibbutz Ein Gedi Hotel
• Oasis Dead Sea Hotel

If you do not wish to stay at a pricier place, you can also choose to reside in homestays as well. Here are some cheaper options for you to consider.

• Metzoke Dragot Hostel
• Kfar Hanokdim Bedouin Camp
• Kalia Guest House
• Biankini Resort
• Almog Holiday Village

This was all the information that you might have required before swimming in the Dead Sea. You can always let us know if there are any factual errors.

With that said, here I am wrapping up this article. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot them in the comment section below. Our team will try to respond ASAP.