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Does the Dead Sea stink?

The water of the Dead sea itself isn't particularly stinky - it's the sulphur baths (e.g. at the Ein Gedi spa) which leave the smell that takes a while to wash out (of suits, towels, hair...)



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If you stay in the Dead Sea for too long, the high salt concentration may dry out and irritate your skin, and if ingested, can cause discomfort.

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Is the Dead Sea OK to swim in? You cannot actually swim in the Dead Sea. 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.

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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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Don't stay in the Dead Sea longer than 10-15 minutes. The salt water irritates your skin, and after 15 minutes it can start to sting. Remember that the Dead Sea is about 10 times saltier than typical oceans and seas. On that note – Don't splash!

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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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Whilst boats can easily float in the Dead Sea like a human body, the water's buoyancy makes it impossible for boats to effectively move through the lake.

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As a large body of salt water, the shores of the Dead Sea glitter with crystallized sodium chloride, where the sun evaporates the water, in colors of white and turquoise.

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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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You can't walk on the water of the Dead Sea. 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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Scientists believe that the Dead Sea will never disappear entirely, but 2050 will be the tipping point when the Dead Sea will be so salty that the salt will block water from evaporating, leaving a small pool of slimy sludge.

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Entering the Dead Sea: Be extremely careful not to get the water in your eyes, ears, nose, or mouth. If you do, have a friend lead you to the fresh water showers commonplace at public beaches. Do not put your head underwater; floating on your back is preferable in order to avoid this.

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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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