You don't really swim in the Dead Sea. You float. There is no need to tread water. No need to make an effort to stay afloat. You couldn't sink if you tried. You can be a few metres from shore at a depth that is over your head and you still won't sink past your chest.

The salinity in the Dead Sea is 33% which is almost 10 times more salty than the ocean. The reason why it's so salty is because the Dead Sea has no outlets. Water runs into the sea and then when it evaporates the mineral content is left behind.

There is one downside to a swim in the Dead Sea. It stings! After only few minutes you start to discover cuts and scratches that you didn't know that you had. Beauty is pain though. The high mineral content of the water is supposed to have beneficial properties for the pores of the skin. Soaking in the water is one way to absorb the minerals. You can also cover yourself in Dead Sea mud for a concentrated dose of goodness and sliminess.



More photos on Flickr.