Dead Sea Fun in Jordan

This page contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.

The Dead Sea is like nowhere else we’ve been. And after years of permanent travel that’s something that’s getting harder to say.

In a barren landscape of brown and beige craggy mountains the deep blue lake has an otherworldly effect, the ultra calm water shimmering as sunlight hits the surface.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth at 400m below sea level. The water is land-locked so with nowhere else to go the water evaporates leaving a dense mix of salt and minerals that is devoid of plant and animal life.

Dead Sea, Jordan

Other than the dramatic landscape the attraction for visitors is the strangely buoyant water that is perfect for floating effortlessly. It’s nearly impossible to sink and you can even stand up within it—the dense water keeping you upright.

The buoyancy enables you to do things you wouldn’t usually do in the sea—like reading a newspaper.

Simon reading a newspaper in the Dead Sea, Jordan

It was blissfully relaxing to float in the sea. I’d been ill the day before and even the walk from our seafront hotel room had been an effort, but within the warm water I forgot any stomach pains and it took no energy at all to bob along on the surface, gazing at the desert mountains that seemed so out of place next to the glistening water.

Simon and Erin floating in the Dead Sea, Jordan

We’d heard that the Dead Sea smelled and that the high salt content—ten times saltier than sea water—would sting your skin, but we didn’t have any problems. It helped that we didn’t have any cuts and that we’d taken everyone’s advice and not shaved beforehand.

As well as floating, a popular activity at the Dead Sea is covering yourself in the soft, mineral-rich mud that’s been known for its health benefits since biblical times. Simon was reluctant to get muddy—it might be the memory of the people at our yoga retreat in Nepal who turned orange after their mud treatment—but he came around and we joined in the fun. Our skin really did feel soft afterwards.

Simon and Erin covered in mud at the Dead Sea, Jordan

We were at the Dead Sea on the weekend and the pools at the Holiday Inn resort where we stayed were busy with Jordanian families and loud pop music (and some very inappropriate hip hop by the kids pool!), but down on the beach it was fairly quiet with a fun atmosphere as everyone smeared on mud and took silly photos. There was a contrast between Europeans in tiny bikinis and Jordanian women swimming in all their clothes, but it felt relaxed and accepting.

Holiday Inn resort beach at the Dead Sea, Jordan

As the sun sets over the Dead Sea you can see the lights of Jerusalem on the other side of the great lake, the fading light softens the landscape, and the water glows orange.

Sunset at the Dead Sea, Jordan
Sunset at the Dead Sea

As we left our resort and drove along the Dead Sea Highway we got a sense of the scale of the place. It’s 80km long so we drove for quite some time with red rocky mountains on one side and views from above of the green water and crystallising salt on the other.

Dead Sea, Jordan from above


The Dead Sea is a magical place and definitely worth visiting when in Jordan for a unique and relaxing experience.

Read about more of our Jordan Highlights or for an alternative look at the Dead Sea see Simon’s illustrated guide to things to do in the Dead Sea.

A big thank you to Visit Jordan who hosted us during our stay in Jordan.

12 Comments

  1. We were meant to go to Jordan this year via Turkey and Syria. Unfortunately the overland trip got cancelled for obvious reasons. So jealous of you guys!

    Reply ↓

  2. Your photos are amazing and have inspired me to have a mud bath in the Dead Sea! This is definitely on my glampacker bucket list!

    Reply ↓

  3. Thanks to this post… now we want to go there too. For sure it will be an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing :)

    Reply ↓

  4. The Dead Sea really is a wonder. iIt is amazing everytime I get to go.

    Looks like you were able to experience a really calm day, with still water and low crowds!

    Glad you enjoyed Jordan and the Dead Sea.

    Best,

    @eculturesdaniel

    Reply ↓

    • Oh does the water get choppy? I assumed it was always calm. We got there early in the morning so it was peaceful despite being the weekend. We’d love to go back.

      Reply ↓

  5. I have wanted to go to Jordan for quite some time, and reading about your adventures and highlights has only solidified that desire. Your pictures are incredible! :)

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Required fields are marked *. Your email address will not be published. By clicking the Submit button, you give consent for us to store your information for the purposes of displaying your comment and you accept the terms of our Privacy Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.