Can you cross the Dead Sea?

The distance is only 17 kilometres (10.6 miles) and the mineral-rich lake was calm, but the high amount of salt in the water makes it nearly impossible to swim normally. It has 10 times more salinity than the Mediterranean Sea, meaning bodies float to the top, and keeping under the water is difficult.



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That didn't stop 28 swimmers from swimming nine miles (14.5 kilometres) across it, from Jordan to Israel, in the first-ever Dead Sea Swim. Sponsored by EcoPeace Middle East, the event sought to raise awareness of its receding waters due to Israeli and Jordanian mining.

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The water is rich in salt and minerals, so it has a silky, thick consistency that will keep you afloat if you're swimming. But the buoyancy is not enough to walk on. You can, however, walk on large slabs of solid salt that form in the water, and along the shore.

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While the salt in the Dead Sea can certainly help open cuts or sores heal faster, the burning sensation is not an experience you might want to have while you're trying to float and relax. Be sure to cover up any cuts you have with a band-aid ahead of time for easy floating.

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On the one hand, it is possible to submerge your head in the Dead Sea, but on the other hand, it's not recommended due to safety concerns. It is one of the world's saltiest bodies of water with a salinity level of 34%. This high salinity makes it nearly impossible for any aquatic life to survive in its waters.

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Fact: You can – and you should. Pads might not be the best option, since they'll absorb water till they're soaked, and could get weighed down or fall out. Plus, they might be visible through your bathing suit. On the other hand, tampons are convenient and safe to use in water.

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While no evidence remains of the five cities of the plain (Zeboim, Admah, Bela or Zoar, Sodom, and Gomorrah) their sites are believed to be beneath the waters at the southern end of the sea. Archaeological sites near the Dead Sea include Masada, Ein Gedi, and Qumran (where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found).

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Don't fart. “Orifices tend to begin burning if they're left long enough in the water of the Dead Sea and this speeds up that process,” Rotem Guide warns. Another tip from the local pros is to avoid shaving 24 hours before taking a dip.

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Don't Splash or Dive The water is so salty that literally nothing can survive in it. That's why it's called the Dead Sea. So you want to be sure to avoid the water getting in your eyes or nose at all costs.

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If you think that water's high salt and mineral content will not let you drown, making it safe to swim in the Dead Sea, then you are wrong. The water will keep you afloat, but if you try to swim in it, then it is almost impossible. Also, the salinity of water will lead to eye irritation way worse than in ocean water.

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Even a small cut can make you cry here. Tip 8: How Long Can You Swim In The Dead Sea? Don't stay in the water longer than 10-15 minutes. Because of the salts and minerals, your skin will get very soft and you can get cut on the crystals easily.

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Go swimming in designated areas only The reason you should swim in a designated area is so that there are life guards on duty. On the plus side, there are no sharks or other nasties to worry about. Nothing lives in the Dead Sea except for small micro organisms.

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Most people don't drown in it; they trip, fall and swallow the water. The water's high sodium concentration disrupts the body's sodium balance, especially the calcium, magnesium and phosphorus levels, he continued. At the same time, it causes a pulmonary disorder, reminiscent of pneumonia.

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More than 8 million gallons of sewage from East Jerusalem is pumped downhill to the Dead Sea, raw and untreated, every day. That's not just a little icky for those of us who like to float in the lowest body of water on earth.

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Dead Sea Beaches Entry to beaches is free or low-cost, and you can often lather yourself with the famous mineral-rich mud right there, too. The public beaches have public bathrooms and changing rooms, and showers on the beach. You won't stay in the Dead Sea for long – it's not for swimming since you float upon entry.

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In the Dead Sea area, some people live in little towns and villages such as Jericho, Neve Zohar, and Neot HaLikar; while others live in a mode of settlement unique to Israel – “kibbutzim” (plural of “kibbutz”).

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The Dead Sea's extreme salinity excludes all forms of life except bacteria. Fish carried in by the Jordan or by smaller streams when in flood die quickly.

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