Last Updated on December 7, 2021
Now is the best time to explore the Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth – 430 meters below sea level and is located at the center of the Jordan rift valley.
In ancient times Herod the Great bathed in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water. It is almost 10 times saltier than the ocean. This high level of salinity makes it possible float in the without any effort but on the down-side it also prevents the existence of life in its waters except for species of bacteria and fungal microorganisms – hence the name.
The minerals found in the Dead Sea are known worldwide for their medicinal properties – the waters are rich in sulfur. Tourists from all over the world, come to the Dead Sea to smear themselves with Dead Sea mud. People suffering with psoriasis, osteoarthritis and other skin ailments, experience improvements in their conditions after bathing in the water or covering their bodies with the black mud.
The Shape of the Dead Sea
The Dead Sea has a characteristic shape and is divided into two basins – the northern and southern. A peninsula called ‘the tongue” forms part of the lake.
Over the past 20 years the sea level of the Dead Sea has dropped by 12 meters. Trees, which are still seen today on the seashore, indicate a number of similar low levels in the last four thousand years.
The Climate
Sunny skies prevail almost all year round; in the summer the temperature rises to 40ºc and can even reach as much as 48ºc. The winter is relatively warm with temperatures scarcely dropping below10ºc. Humidity hardly exceeds 40% and it drops in the summer to an average of 23%. Best time to visit the Dead Sea: Spring and Autumn: April-May and October-November.
Dead Sea Travel Tips
The Dead Sea offers wonderful views and it is a relaxing getaway for tourists and vacationers. It is a sunbathers delight.
Hikers can enjoy a climb up the nearby Masada Fortress via the Snake Path. The Snake Path rises 400 meters offering vacationers stunning views of the Dead Sea, the desert and the Jordanian Mountains. For the less energetic there is a cable car that will take you to the top.
Visit Ein Gedi – a lush oasis in the middle of the desert. Nine hiking trails of varying difficulty and some lead you to David’s Waterfall where you can swim and enjoy the cool waters.
Getting to the Dead Sea
By car, by private shuttle (check with your hotel) or by bus. Egged Bus 486 from the Jerusalem Central Bus Station is a direct line to the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi and Masada. Note: no public transport on Shabbat from Friday afternoon till Saturday evening.
Dead Sea Best Hotels
Luxury hotels, spas, kibbutz accommodation, zimmerin, guest houses and Airbnb accommodation on the shores of the Dead Sea and close by at Ein Gedi in Arad and surrounding areas is available.
Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel, Ein Bokek, Israel
Ein Gedi Kibbutz Hotel, Arad, Israel
Leonardo Club Hotel Dead Sea – All Inclusive, Neve Zohar, Israel
Hod Dead Sea by Herbert Samuel, Ein Bokek, Israel
Spa Club Dead Sea Hotel, Ein Bokek, Israel
The Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran & Museums
Another major attraction at the Dead Sea is the Qumran National Park where at the caves, the Dead Sea Scrolls and fragments were found between 1947 and 1947 by Bedouin shepherd Muhammed edh-Dhib, his cousin Jum’a Muhammed, and Khalil Musa.
In February 2017, archaeologists announced the discovery of a new, 12th cave at Qumran and one blank parchment found in a jar.
Small portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls are on permanent exhibition at the Israel Museum at the Shrine of the Book, while others are on display at museums around the world.
Dead Sea Salt
No trip to the Dead Sea is complete without a visit to a spa and purchasing some Dead Sea cosmetics. Shop around as prices vary.
Dead Sea water levels for the past 5 years
| Measurement date | Level |
|---|---|
| 01/08/2021 | -435.84 |
| 01/08/2020 | -435.18 |
| 01/08/2019 | -434.26 |
| 01/08/2017 | -432.18 |
| 01/08/2016 | -429.9 |
