Visiting the Dead Sea: Israel vs. Jordan

Are you questioning which aspect visiting the Useless Sea is best? Learn alongside to search out out!

I just lately had the chance to visit Israel and Jordan and explored the Useless Sea from each international locations.

On this weblog submit, I’m going to check the expertise we had in each locations. 

What’s the Useless Sea?

The Useless Sea is a landlocked sea that has develop into common for its excessive salinity ranges which may make you float effortlessly in its waters.

A lot of the water is introduced in by the Jordan River. Nevertheless, it has no solution to stream out of the ocean and is compelled to evaporate, leaving the salt behind.

The salt and minerals of the Useless Sea are used to create skincare merchandise which might be bought worldwide. 

The place is the Useless Sea situated?

The Useless Sea is situated between Southern Israel and West Financial institution to the west, and Jordan to the east.

The closest large metropolis in Israel is Jerusalem (about an hour away) and the closest large metropolis in Jordan could be Amman (about an hour as nicely).

Subsequently, it’s situated within the Center East within the continent of Asia. 

Why is the Useless Sea well-known?

The Useless Sea is the saltiest physique of water on the planet. Its salinity is nearly 10 occasions increased than the salinity of the ocean!

Additionally, the Useless Sea is the bottom land elevation on Earth – 430 meters under sea degree.

Once we had been driving to go to the Useless Sea, I may really feel my ears popping from the change in strain. That’s how low the ocean is!!

Why is it referred to as the Useless Sea?

The Useless Sea will get its identify from the truth that its waters are extraordinarily salty and create a really harsh dwelling setting.

No animals or vegetation can survive dwelling in it so the shortage of aquatic life has led individuals to call it the “Useless Sea.”

Nevertheless, there are small portions of micro organism and microbes that stay within the water.

Additionally, you’ll not see any ships within the Useless Sea as a result of the excessive salinity will harm them. Subsequently, you will notice no fish, vegetation, or boats within the Useless Sea.

Can the Useless Sea salt be eaten?

No, it can not. Don’t eat or lick the salt, the chemical compounds and minerals make the salt inedible. That features cooking with it. 

Evaluating visiting the Useless Sea between Israel and Jordan

Many individuals surprise what the distinction between the 2 international locations is and the place they need to go to expertise the Useless Sea. Hopefully, this submit will shed some gentle on that.

The Useless Sea in Israel

Let’s check out the Israel aspect of the Useless Sea first and what was our expertise there.

What was the Useless Sea like on the Israel aspect?

The water of the Useless Sea seems very oily and thick. Your complete sea ground was coated in these small salt balls which had been actually sharp on the ft.

We floated within the seashore space in entrance of the resort in addition to on the public seashore and so they had been very comparable. There may be sand earlier than you attain the water the place you may put down your towel and belongings.

Nevertheless, in each locations, the ocean ground was made out of salt balls. The water is extraordinarily heat and shallow. There aren’t any waves in any respect, not even the slightest motion.

The temperature across the Useless Sea is often round 30 + levels Celcius. The day that we visited, which was in October, was 35 levels.

Across the Useless Sea, you will notice largely desert landscapes with only a few vegetation. On one aspect you will notice mountains and on the opposite aspect is the Useless Sea. 

Listed here are two movies displaying what the seashore seems like.

Is it protected to swim within the Useless Sea?

Sure, it’s protected to swim within the Useless Sea however you’ll want to comply with the entire security measures whenever you do. It is advisable restrict your floating periods to twenty min max at a time.

Afterward, you’ll want to lay down for 15-30 minutes. That’s as a result of warmth and excessive salt content material of the water, your physique will get very dehydrated.

Subsequently, you’ll want to drink loads of water throughout and after the remainder interval.

I used to be pondering that the directions had been over-cautious. Nevertheless, I skilled the fatigue after floating myself and would extremely advocate following the foundations. 

Additionally, you’ll want to watch out whenever you enter the ocean.

What’s one of the simplest ways to enter the Useless Sea?

Certainly not you have to be diving into the Useless Sea! The salinity is extraordinarily excessive and can damage your eyes.

Strategy slowly as a number of the shore rocks might be slippery or jagged (or each). You don’t wish to slip and scrape your knees (yup, I did that) as a result of the scrapes and cuts will damage when you dip within the water.

When you attain the water principally simply sit within the water slowly. You don’t wish to make an enormous splash and get the water in your eyes or mouth.

Lay in your again and float along with your arms behind your head. That’s it!!

You’ll not sink even in the event you attempt to. I can by no means float so this was a tremendous expertise for me. And if I can float so are you able to!!

Be sure you have sunscreen in your face and abdomen space when you are floating as a result of the solar is extremely robust.

What are a number of the Useless Sea resorts in Israel?

The resort we stayed in for one evening was David Dead Sea Resort and Spa. There may be an space with resorts about an hour south of Jerusalem.

It’s a small strip with a mall, retailers, and some eating places. General, the resort wasn’t too unhealthy however ensure you ask for a renovated room and one going through the ocean.

Our room had a nice balcony with lovely views of each the ocean and the mountains. The dinner within the resort was a very nice buffet with a whole lot of choices.

There was a big common pool in addition to two Useless Sea swimming pools. One was inside and the opposite one was exterior.

They in some way use a number of the water from the Useless Sea to replenish these swimming pools so that you don’t even must go to the seashore.

The gang was largely older individuals which is sensible contemplating that the ocean is getting used for lots of remedies reminiscent of pores and skin situations and arthritis.

The resort was about 5 minute’s stroll from the seashore and some time in the past, it was on the precise shore.

Nevertheless, the Useless Sea is slowly shrinking by a couple of meter yearly which is why now it’s a must to stroll to the seashore.

There are free showers by the seashore so ensure you rinse your self after floating within the Useless Sea.

Was there a Spa within the resort?

Sure, there’s a full spa within the resort with a complete bunch of procedures and coverings that make the most of the advantages of the Useless Sea.

The Spa was very fashionable and there was at all times a lineup to e book any therapy. I did a Useless Sea mud wrap and a soothing therapeutic massage.

The mud wrap consists of the esthetician protecting you from head to toe within the black mud. Then they wrap you in a heat towel and allow you to lay down for about 20 to half-hour.

You might be carrying a washing swimsuit whereas they’re doing the mud wrap so don’t fear, you gained’t be bare. They cowl you in every single place together with your face.

The one half that they don’t cowl is your hair (I’m guessing it’s simply too tough to clean off). Then you definitely rinse your self from the mud and get a pleasant enjoyable therapeutic massage.

After they do the mud wrap, your pores and skin will really feel so mushy and rejuvenated. Each procedures had been nice and after them, I felt like 1,000,000 bucks.

Extremely advocate using the spa packages within the resort to e book a pleasant and enjoyable expertise. It’s completely value it!!

What are the cosmetics you should buy from the Useless Sea in Israel?

I’ve used merchandise from the Useless Sea earlier than visiting and I appreciated all of them. Which is why I used to be tremendous excited to seize some extra goodies from there.

There have been a ton of choices by way of merchandise and value factors.

A few of the foremost manufacturers from the Useless Sea are Ahava, Premier (pricier), Sea of Spa (reasonably priced) and so forth.

If you wish to purchase some on-line, test Amazon as nicely as a result of a number of the merchandise are cheaper there.

Are the Useless Sea merchandise good?

Sure, I really like all of the Useless Sea merchandise that I’ve tried up so far. My favourite is the Useless Sea mud masks, it actually helps with pimples and detoxifies your pores and skin.

You possibly can see a visual distinction after utilizing it which is uncommon in relation to skincare merchandise (often you’ll want to use the product for a while earlier than you may see outcomes).

The following finest product is an exfoliator/scrub that makes use of the Useless Sea salt. You employ it to exfoliate your physique within the bathe.

Additionally, you should buy the salt within the type of tub salt if you wish to make a salty tub for your self and recreate the sensation of floating within the Useless Sea.

I’m not a shower particular person so I’ve not tried the bathtub salts however they’re common as nicely.

How typically do you utilize the Useless Sea mud masks?

In response to the directions on the bundle, you must use the mud masks twice every week or at the least as soon as every week.

I’ve a whole lot of hormonal pimples and the mud masks is the one factor that really clears my face so I do it twice every week.

When you have dry or delicate pores and skin do it solely as soon as every week.

Suggestions for visiting the Useless Sea in Israel

• Convey water/swimming footwear to keep away from your ft getting scratched
• Don’t enter you probably have an open wound or minimize as a result of it would sting like hell
• Don’t put on any jewellery as a result of it might probably get broken by the salt
• You possibly can put on your regular bathing swimsuit as a result of you can be in a resort and it will likely be all vacationers round you
• Don’t keep within the water for greater than 20 min at a time, lay down afterward for at the least 15 min and drink a whole lot of water. In any other case, you’ll get actually dehydrated. 

General expertise visiting the Useless Sea in Israel

General, we actually appreciated the Useless Sea on the Israel aspect: we floated effortlessly and cherished the Useless Sea pool within the resort which was very handy, and general appreciated the resort.

The Israel aspect of the Useless Sea appears far more salty and oily than the Jordan aspect.

The seafloor of the Israel aspect was utterly coated in salt balls (sharp on the ft) and we didn’t see any mud.

Subsequently, if you’re extra within the salt, the Israel aspect has loads of it.

The Useless Sea in Jordan

Once we visited the Useless Sea on the Jordan aspect we had been on the other aspect of the ocean each size and width-wise.

We had been on the northeast aspect of the ocean (in Israel we had been on the southwest) which might be why it appeared so completely different.

What was the Useless Sea like on the Jordan aspect?

The Useless Sea on the Jordanian aspect appeared lots much less salty and oily. It was nonetheless sufficient to drift however not as concentrated as on the Israeli aspect.

Additionally, there have been no salt balls current on the ocean ground, solely sand and dust. The temperatures had been additionally near 35 so it was extraordinarily sizzling. 

There have been no waves; the water was heat and shallow. Nevertheless, it was not as shallow because the Israel aspect.

In Jordan, we had been capable of expertise a number of the black mud on the seashore. It was collected in buckets by the shore the place everybody may simply go and assist themselves.

Listed here are two movies from the seashore in Jordan:

How do I apply the mud to my physique?

Apply a thick layer of mud throughout your physique. Simply use your arms and apply it as you’re making use of lotion. Have somebody do your again.

Then take some humorous pics coated in mud. As soon as carried out, sit and look ahead to about 20-30 minutes with the mud on you. Or till it dries off and begins flaking.

Nevertheless, you probably have utilized a beneficiant quantity it would take a very long time to dry so whichever comes first. Then enter the ocean and begin washing it off.

It’d take a second to scrub up as it is extremely thick. That’s it!

Doing it as soon as is sufficient to make your pores and skin good and mushy. 

Can the Useless Sea mud be used on the face?

Sure, completely! It helps with pimples and it detoxifies and purifies your pores and skin!

I wished to take a complete bucket dwelling! Take into account that the black mud does have a definite earthy scent to it however it isn’t disagreeable. 

What are a number of the Useless Sea resorts in Jordan

The resort’s identify was the Dead Sea Spa Hotel, however we didn’t really keep within the resort in a single day.

Our tour group had some kind of partnership with the resort that we might use the seashore space and the altering rooms and showers.

There have been extra umbrellas and lounge chairs by the seashore which appeared a little bit of a greater setup in comparison with the Israel aspect.

The resort was lovely and it appeared lots newer and fancier. It had common swimming pools, a water slide, and retailers.

Try this video of the property: Dead Sea Spa Hotel, Jordan

We didn’t spend a whole lot of time within the resort however general it appeared good. Additionally, there’s a spa on this resort in the event you resolve you wish to do any remedies.

What are the cosmetics you should buy from the Useless Sea in Jordan?

I bought a number of merchandise from Jordan as nicely simply to have the ability to examine them higher. Nevertheless, as I discussed earlier it’s far more costly to purchase them in Jordan as a result of their excessive forex.

It appeared like they’d very comparable merchandise: mud masks, exfoliants, face lotions, and so forth. I bought one other mud masks simply to check the 2 and thus far I actually prefer it.

I truthfully wished to purchase a complete bucket of pure mud. Nevertheless, we nonetheless had a complete bunch of touring to do and must carry it round for one more two weeks.

Additionally, the buckets of mud are very heavy so simply bought the mud masks.

A few of the Jordanian Useless Sea manufacturers are Bio Spa, Dead Sea Treasures, Bloom, Sensation, and so forth.

Suggestions for visiting the Jordan aspect of the Useless Sea

• Don’t put on your nicest bathing swimsuit or one that’s white as a result of the mud would possibly stain it 
• Put on the mud for 20 to 30 min max or till it’s totally dry after which wash it off
• Swim solely within the designated space on the seashore
• The identical guidelines apply right here – no diving or splashing, don’t drink the water or get it in your eyes
• Don’t keep within the water for greater than 20 min at a time, lay down afterward for at the least 15 min and drink a whole lot of water. In any other case, you’ll get actually dehydrated. 
• You possibly can put on your regular bathing swimsuit as a result of you can be in a resort and it will likely be all vacationers round you

General expertise of visiting the Useless Sea in Jordan

We actually loved placing the mud on ourselves and taking foolish pics with it.

My companion didn’t consider within the energy of the mud however he was pleasantly shocked about its results.

They’d showers on the seashore and changerooms within the resort. Subsequently, it was straightforward to prepare for the seashore after which to prepare to return to the bus.

We had loads of time to drift and use the mud and even swam within the common pool a bit.   

General winner after evaluating the Useless Sea between Israel and Jordan

The ocean on each side is extraordinarily salty and oily nevertheless it appeared far more so in Israel. The Jordan aspect had extra of the black mud on the shores.

You possibly can comfortably float in each international locations. When it comes to the resorts, I feel the one in Jordan was newer and fancier nonetheless the one in Israel had the within Useless Sea swimming pools and was cheaper.

I cherished the spa remedies that I did in Israel. From what I noticed in each international locations, the resorts are resort fashion and so they all appeared comparable to one another.

If you wish to buy any Useless Sea merchandise (and you must) it will likely be lots cheaper to take action in Israel.

It’s about the identical quantity of driving in each instances (1hr from Jerusalem or Amman).  

Conclusion: Evaluating the Useless Sea between Israel and Jordan

We each cherished the Useless Sea, the floating is calming and enjoyable.

I used to be obsessive about the mud as a result of it cleared my face and made my pores and skin good and mushy.

I might extremely advocate visiting the Useless Sea however I can’t actually decide one county over the opposite. Whichever one you select, you should have a tremendous expertise that may stick with you for the remainder of your life.