Things to Do at the Dead Sea: Floating, Mud, and Resort Day Passes

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth — about 430 metres below sea level — and the salt concentration in the water is roughly ten times that of a normal ocean. At 34% salinity, the water is so dense that you float without any effort. This is the experience that draws visitors from Amman and from far further away: the complete impossibility of sinking, combined with the therapeutic properties of the mineral-rich water and the black mud along the shoreline.

The Jordanian side of the Dead Sea runs along the northeast shore, with the resort strip concentrated around the Sweimeh area, approximately 60 kilometres west of Amman. The water level has dropped significantly over the past few decades — the shoreline has receded considerably from its 1970s position — and much of the original beach access is now a long walk across exposed, salt-encrusted flats. The resort day passes are the practical solution for most visitors.

Floating in the Dead Sea

The float is the primary activity and it is genuinely unlike any other swimming experience. The buoyancy is immediate and total: lie back and the water holds you on the surface without any effort on your part. The usual reflex of kicking to stay afloat is counterproductive — the water does the work, and the instinct to swim actively just tilts you sideways.

A few warnings that every first-time visitor needs before entering the water:

The water stings intensely in any open wound, cut, or area of broken skin. Do not shave on the day before your visit. Any fresh razor cuts will make entering the water extremely unpleasant. The same applies to sunburned or chapped skin.

Do not submerge your head. The water burns eyes severely and the salt concentration makes swallowing even a small amount genuinely dangerous. If you splash water near your face, rinse with fresh water immediately. Every resort provides outdoor showers at the water’s edge for exactly this reason.

Water temperature is warm year-round — approximately 26–30°C in summer, cooling slightly in winter but never cold. The air temperature in summer (June through September) regularly exceeds 40°C at the shoreline, which is the lowest altitude in the world.

Black Mud Treatments

The black mineral mud along the Dead Sea shoreline is one of the site’s distinctive features and has been used therapeutically for centuries. The mud is rich in magnesium, potassium, and bromide, and is claimed to benefit skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. Whether or not the therapeutic claims hold up to clinical scrutiny, covering yourself in the mud and letting it dry in the sun before washing off is a ritualised part of the Dead Sea experience that most visitors enjoy.

On the public beach sections, mud is available free directly from the shoreline. Resorts provide fresh buckets of mud as part of their facilities, and some offer more formal spa treatments using processed Dead Sea products at additional cost — expect to pay approximately JOD 30–60 for a basic spa treatment at resort-level venues.

Resort Day Passes

The most practical way to access the Dead Sea if you are visiting without staying overnight is through a resort day pass. These vary considerably in price and facilities.

Amman Beach is the government-operated public beach and the most affordable option. Day passes cost approximately JOD 20–25 per person as of 2026 and include access to the beach, basic changing facilities, and outdoor showers. The facilities are basic compared to private resorts, but the access to the water is identical, and the price difference is substantial. It is the most popular option for Jordanian families and budget-conscious travellers.

O Beach Club is a privately operated mid-range option with better facilities — loungers, beach bar, food service, and cleaner changing rooms. Day passes cost approximately JOD 35–50 as of 2026 and may include a food or drink credit depending on current promotional terms. Check directly for current pricing before your visit.

Kempinski Hotel Dead Sea offers one of the most premium day-pass experiences on the Jordanian side. Access to the hotel’s beach, pool complex, and facilities costs approximately JOD 50–80 per person as of 2026. The landscaped pools and the quality of the café and restaurant food make this meaningfully different from the public beach — whether the price difference is worth it depends on what you are looking for. The Kempinski also has its own spa if you want to combine the float with formal treatments.

Other international chain hotels along the Sweimeh strip — Hilton Dead Sea, Holiday Inn, Mövenpick — also sell day passes at varying prices. Call ahead to confirm availability, as day passes are sometimes suspended during peak occupancy periods.

Salt Formations and Shoreline Walking

As the water level has receded, the exposed former shoreline has become increasingly encrusted with white salt crystal formations. In some areas these form complex, branching structures several centimetres high. Walking along these formations — visible at most beach access points — requires sturdy shoes, as the salt surface is sharp and uneven. The patterns are visually striking and worth photographing in morning or late afternoon light when the salt reflects colour from the sky.

Sunset Across the Dead Sea

The western horizon from the Dead Sea shore looks across the water to the West Bank hills. On clear days the ridgeline above Jericho and the higher hills above Jerusalem are visible from the water’s edge. Sunset here colours the water distinctively, particularly in winter when the air is cleaner, and is worth timing your visit around if you have flexibility.

Combining the Dead Sea with Madaba

The Dead Sea and Madaba make a natural same-day combination. Madaba’s mosaic sites are approximately 25 kilometres east of the Sweimeh resort strip — about 40 minutes by car. A logical day from Amman: visit Madaba and Mount Nebo in the morning, then drive west to the Dead Sea for an afternoon float, returning to Amman in the early evening. This combination requires your own vehicle or a private driver.

Getting to the Dead Sea from Amman

By shared taxi: From Abdali station in northern Amman, shared taxis (service taxis) run toward the Sweimeh area for approximately JOD 3–5 per person one-way. This is the most affordable option but requires some patience at the departure point — taxis leave when full.

By private taxi: A one-way private taxi from central Amman to the Dead Sea resort area costs approximately JOD 20–25. Agree the fare before departure. For a return trip with the driver waiting for 3–4 hours, you can typically negotiate around JOD 40–55 total. Make sure the driver knows which specific resort you are heading to — the Sweimeh strip is several kilometres long.

By rental car: Approximately 1 hour from central Amman on the well-signposted road to the Dead Sea. Follow the Dead Sea Highway south from Sweimeh for various resort entrances. Parking at resorts is included with a day pass.

Note: There is no direct scheduled public bus service from Amman to the Dead Sea resort area. Do not rely on public transport for this journey. To book a guided Dead Sea day tour from Amman with transport included, browse Dead Sea tours and day passes.

More at the Dead Sea

• Best Hotels at the Dead Sea
• Food and Dining at the Dead Sea
• Dead Sea Experience: Float Guide
• Wadi Mujib Gorge — Nearby Canyon Hike
• Dead Sea Hotels: Full Guide
• 7-Day Jordan Itinerary

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