What is the saltiest lake in the world?

The most saline water body in the world is the Gaet'ale Pond, located in the Danakil Depression in Afar, Ethiopia. The water of Gaet'ale Pond has a salinity of 43%, making it the saltiest water body on Earth (i.e. 12 times as salty as ocean water).



While the Dead Sea is the most famous, the title of the saltiest body of water in the world actually belongs to Gaet'ale Pond in Ethiopia, located in the Danakil Depression. This small pond has a salinity of approximately 43%, making it significantly saltier than the Dead Sea (which sits around 34%). The water is so saturated with salt that it feels oily to the touch and remains at a constant temperature of about 50°C due to volcanic activity. Another strong contender is Don Juan Pond in Antarctica, with a salinity of over 40%. It is so salty that it almost never freezes, even in temperatures as low as -50°C. In the Western Hemisphere, the Great Salt Lake in Utah fluctuates but rarely exceeds 27% salinity. These hypersaline environments are hostile to most forms of life, but they are fascinating to scientists in 2026 who study "extremophiles"—microorganisms that can survive in conditions that would be lethal to almost any other creature on Earth. Visiting Gaet'ale Pond is considered an extreme travel experience due to the harsh climate and the presence of toxic volcanic gases.

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With a salinity level over 40 percent, Don Juan is significantly saltier than most of the other hypersaline lakes around the world. The Dead Sea has a salinity of 34 percent; the Great Salt Lake varies between 5 and 27 percent. Earth's oceans have an average salinity of 3.5 percent.

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No matter what time of year you choose to visit the Dead Sea, it's important to remember that swimming in its waters can be dangerous due to its high salt content and strong currents. Visitors must take safety precautions, such as wearing a life jacket or using a floatation device when swimming in these waters.

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The basin has no outlet, so water escapes only by evaporation. As fresh water evaporates, salty minerals dissolved in the water get left behind. Over time, this process made the Dead Sea much saltier than ocean water. The lake's saltiness means that larger organisms such as fish and frogs can't survive in the Dead Sea.

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Recreation in, and around, the lake The best place to swim or float in the lake is at Antelope Island State Park, where white oolitic sand beaches provide easy access to the lake without the brine flies that are prevalent on other areas of the shoreline. The beach area also has showers to rinse off the salty water.

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Dead Sea water levels have been dropping since 1960. Currently, the waters recede about a meter per year, with about a third of its surface area evaporating into the air. The recession is evident in aerial photos of the lake, which demonstrate how significant the water loss is and will continue to be.

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Although whoever enters the water immediately floats, you should keep in mind that it is still possible to drown in the Dead Sea. This happens when swimmers get caught in strong winds, flip over and swallowing the salty water. Always make sure to only enter proclaimed beaches, in the presence of a lifeguard.

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Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve.

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Because of the abundant algae and halophiles, as well as the high salinity, the lake does not support fish — but it teems with brine shrimp and brine flies, which provide essential nutrition for migrating birds.

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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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