The Dead Sea is unlike any other beach I’ve been to, and things work differently when in the water here. Therefore, I have here some Dead Sea tips for floating in the Dead Sea.
Tips for Proper Floating in the Dead Sea
- Walk into the Dead Sea until the water is around knee-high – this should be a safe depth for everyone to float in, though you can actually float in water that’s much shallower
- Lean back and sit down, as you would sit down in a chair
- Float!
- Getting up is a little more difficult though
How to Get Up
- Bring yourself/float as close to shore as you can
- Once your hands easily touch the ground, you should be able to use them to lift you onto your feet
- Stand up and get out of the water
Getting up and out of the water like this will help prevent you from flipping over and getting water into your eyes and mouth. It’s very unpleasant. It also keeps you from splashing, which helps keep water out of other peoples eyes and mouths! It makes getting up safe for everyone! More on safety at the Dead Sea in a minute.
Getting Mud
The best way to get mud is to ask others where they got it. People here in Israel are very friendly, especially to tourists, and are more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Depending on the beach you’re at, you’ll either be told where to pull it out of the ground, or that you need to go buy it. More on this in my beaches of the Dead Sea post.
Tips as to What to Avoid in the Dead Sea
- Don’t get the water into your eyes. It hurts. The water is 10-15 times more salty than ocean water.
- Avoid splashing. You might get water in your eyes, or in someone elses. It’s not pleasant.
- Don’t get it into your mouth, either. It doesn’t hurt, but it’s pretty gross tasting.
- No peeing/farting in the water! Orifices tend to begin burning if they’re left long enough in the water of the Dead Sea and this speeds up that process. My first time in the Dead Sea I was 5 years old or so, and it was pretty awesome until things started burning. I ran out screaming.
- DON’T SHAVE at least 24 hours before going into the Dead Sea. Same reason as above. It burns.
- Don’t take any jewelry into the Dead Sea. The high salt and mineral concentration is good for our skins, but not so great for metals. Lets not find out that what you thought was pure metal isn’t. Rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces…take all of it off before going in the water. Leave it at your hotel. Or in a locker. Or in your bag. Anywhere besides on you going into the Dead Sea.
There are the things I usually tell people before heading in…what else would you tell people to make their experience better? Let me know in the comments!
If you’re looking for a list as to what to bring to the Dead Sea, I’ve got one of those.
And a guide about the different beaches of the Dead Sea, too.