Dead Sea, Amman

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The Dead Sea is famous for being the lowest point on earth, as well as the site at which ancient Biblical scrolls have been found. It is also becoming very popular, recently, as a health resort, both because of the extremely salty water that allows for people to float in the Sea, and for the curative properties of the mineral-rich mud found in the Sea. While there are a number of important Biblical sites on the Israeli side of the Sea (actually, it’s a lake), the Jordanian side is monopolized by hotels and resorts, as well as amusement park-type attractions for those who are not staying overnight. I arrived at the Sea at about 8am on a cold February morning, and the area was relatively dead (no pun intended). The lack of fauna (because of the lake’s salinity) and the barren views of the yellow cliffs and mountains around the Sea make this a desolate place indeed, one that is excellent for pictures that evoke the emptiness of the place.

If your not going to Israel than make your way along the dead Sea Highway and take a float in the Dead Sea.

The dramatic Jordan Rift Vally is more than 400m below seal leven when it reaches he Dead Sea.

The lowest point on Earth. The mud is great for your skin and the sea is so dense with salt you will float!

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This trip is in my opinion a must if you come to Jordan.

So much of the middle east conflict and history is mixed up with religious issues, and this trip covers the ground that some of these issues arose from.

My trip included, Malaba, the mosaics, Mt Nebo, The Baptismal site, and the dead sea.

It's a strange feeling at the baptismal site, when you get to the River Jordan, after the actual baptismal site, there is a place where you can be baptised in the river if you bring a priest with you, BUT on the other side of the river is the same for Israel. Both side have armed guards there and their respective flags are flying, yep, Israel is only 20 meters away.

You need your passport for this trip as the baptismal site and the dead sea resorts are in a military zone.

Certainly if you are in Jordan you should really experience the unreal feeling of floating in the dead sea.

The Dead Sea is a landlocked Sea that has huge volmues of salt in it allowing people to float with ease.

Unless you stay at one of the hotels, you must go to Amman Beach and pay 12JD to enter the complex. Once inside, you can hire towels etc, use the other facilities (shop, showers, buffet extra cost, pools), or head down to the sand and the sea.

This place is below sea level and is very hot, so I advise arriving early. When I went, I arrived at 10am, and was the only person there. By 12, it was jam packed.

The sea has a slimy texture and the floating is cool, but if it gets in your eyes, nose or mouth, or if you have open sores, OUCH!!!

There is theraputic mud by the beach, but you have to pay so I didn't bother.

This is a great experience.

Minibus from the Western bus station in Amman (2JD). Even though the driver may say Amman Beach, he will drop you about 4 miles away. Either hitch (easily done), or get a taxi 3JD.

Getting back, hitch to the drop off point or any local village, then bus back to Amman.

I was told it was very difficult, but picked up a hitch in under 5 mins outside the Amman Beach on the main road.

We spent one day at the Dead Sea, but to my surprise all the hotels in the area charge a access for use of there facilities !!!!! We just happened to visit the Kempinski Hotel and they allowed us in for free since we were staying at the Kempinski hotel in Amman...otherwise it's a steep 20 to 30 JOD to enter and use there facilities....

Otherwise it's a cool experience....one cannot drown, the salt content won't let you sink....as a matter of fact you must push you legs down in order for them not to float back up !!! A must do !!!!!

A fantastic day trip from Amman is to go to the Dead Sea. Here you can enjoy yourself swimming and making a bath of sun in one of the beaches along the sea.

More information on my Jordan page.

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Hired a taxi from my hotel in Amman to spend a half day here. I entered the Dead Sea via the grounds of one of the hotels built on its shores. There was a small charge, but it meant that you had a changing area & a locker for your valuables whilst you took a dip. Once you had finished there were shower facilities there you could use.

A few tips for the Dead Sea, the sand there can get very hot & burn you feet. On walking into the sea some of the sea bed can be rough, equally there were areas where you sunk in the mud. After walking out to a depth of a few feet just raise your legs & gently fall back in the water. It is such an amazing feeling when you don't sink. You can then just lay there in total relaxation, the only noise you hear is the laughter & squeals of delight as new visitors experience it for the first time.

Always be aware though of the strength of the sun there & most importantly don't get any of the water in you eyes, believe me it does sting. If you have cuts on your body they'll hurt too. Once out just wash all the salt & mud off as soon as you can.

I was told that the best hotel to stay in is the Kipinski. The beaches are wonderful and the accomodation is amazing.

Just don't forget if you're only going there for a day trip, take extra clothes and always carry bottles of water with you. And what ever you do DO NOT get water in your eyes! It's called the Dead Sea coz nothing can survive in there! I actually had to taste it and let me tell you it was horrible! hahahaha If you do get it in your eyes, just wash it out with LOTS of water.

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it is a very fun loving and very thrling experiance in a trip to dead sea where u will experiance the point that is the most low point under the sea level in the world , atrip to the dead sea is not just a trip over there it is has a very other goals like a healimg site for self and body image just the swimming in the dea sea is a healing one alone with all the rich menieral water of the dead sea , as well as the very nice hotels and resorts that provide more of these services .also u will have a very big welcome in jordan .

The Dead Sea is one of the most bizzare experiences! To go into water and to float is just crazy! There is no not floating about it...you go in the dead sea and you float!

When you get there go up to the shore and dig under the sand - in no time at all you will come across mud - this is the dead seas therapeutic mud and will make your skin feel incredible - let it dry and then go in and wash it off in the saltiest water you will ever encounter!!! Then just relax and float!

Amman Beach is the developed area of the Dead Sea, there you will find a clean beach and facilities - such as a restaurant, toilets and showers.