The Dead Sea is the lowest point on dry land, about 430 metres below sea level. Its water, nearly ten times saltier than the ocean, makes you float effortlessly: you lie back to read a newspaper, you do not really swim. On the Jordanian side, bathing happens mostly at the resort hotels on the east shore, about an hour from Amman. The level drops year after year, and free access points to the shore are rare and have no facilities. To pick a hotel, see which hotel day pass to choose.
Highlights
Floating
Walk in slowly to waist height, then sit back: the water carries you. Stay on your back with your eyes closed, for 15 to 20 minutes at most.
Authorised swimming zones
Resorts mark out a swimming area with parasols and fresh-water showers; on a beach with no sign or lifeguard, swimming is not recommended.
Views of the west shore
In clear weather you can see the hills of the West Bank and Israel across the water, from the beach or from the road.
Mud bath and spa
The black Dead Sea mud is applied to the skin and rinsed off; most resorts sell it or offer it by the water, and some have a spa that is charged separately.
Practical info
Tips
- Rules for bathing: do not put your head under water, do not shave the same day, remove jewellery and contact lenses, never dive, and if water gets in your eye, rinse it with fresh water at once. Shower afterwards.
- Entry prices found at resorts (a 2025 guide and 2026 offers, to be confirmed): about 20 to 25 JOD at simple places, 30 to 45 JOD at a mid-range hotel with a buffet, and up to 75 JOD at luxury resorts. Details in the hotel day pass.
- The Kempinski reserves its facilities for its guests. Visitors report the paid public beach of Amman Beach at 20 to 25 JOD, with basic facilities; reviews of its quality vary.
- The Dead Sea Panorama Complex at Ma'in is a viewpoint with a small museum; about 2 JOD according to undated guides. For a natural spa, see the Ma'in hot springs.
- In summer it is above 35 °C and the sun reflects off the water: sunscreen, a hat and plenty of drinking water. Do not bathe in the Dead Sea with an open wound.
- Combine it with the Bethany baptism site, Mount Nebo or Madaba, and do not count on more than half a day of bathing.
How to get there
The resorts are on the north-east of the sea, about 45 minutes to 1 hour from Amman by car (a round-trip taxi with waiting time is 40 to 70 JOD according to a guide). A Jett bus links Amman to the resorts (about 10 JOD one way according to a recent guide, to be confirmed). Also from Madaba (about 40 minutes) or Amman. See car rental. If you prefer to drive, you can rent a car for the day.
Opening hours
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