The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth's land surface — its shore sits about 430 metres below sea level — and its water is roughly ten times saltier than the ocean. You don't swim here; you lie back and float, effortlessly, while the mineral-rich mud is slathered on for its skin benefits. It's about an hour from Amman and a natural final stop on a Petra loop.
The essentials
- Elevation
- ~430 m below sea level — the lowest land on Earth
- Salinity
- ~10× the ocean — you float without trying
- From Amman
- ~1 hour (~55 km)
- From Petra
- ~2.5–3 hours
What you do here
The whole experience is the float: wade in, lean back and let the water hold you up while you read a newspaper for the classic photo. Most people also coat themselves in the black mineral mud, let it dry, then rinse it off in the sea. Public and resort beaches line the northern shore, with showers, loungers and sunsets over the water toward the hills of the West Bank.
Keep your head up and your face out of the water — the salt stings eyes and any cut fiercely — and don't shave the day before. Don't swim or dive; just float. Rinse off with fresh water afterwards, and limit your time in to around 15–20 minutes.
How it fits with Petra
Because it's close to Amman and on the way back from the south, the Dead Sea is the classic finale of a multi-day tour: Petra and Wadi Rum first, then a float on the way home. Our 2-day tour is the most popular version; see all tours for longer loops.
