Visiting the Useless Sea: Israel vs. Jordan

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

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

On this weblog publish, 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 turn into in style 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. Nonetheless, 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 can be bought worldwide. 

The place is the Useless Sea positioned?

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

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

Due to this fact, it’s positioned 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 this 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 beneath sea stage.

After we have been driving to go to the Useless Sea, I might 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 residing surroundings.

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

Nonetheless, 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 injury them. Due to this fact, you will note no fish, crops, or boats within the Useless Sea.

Can the Useless Sea salt be eaten?

No, it can’t. 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 marvel what the distinction between the 2 international locations is and the place they need to go to expertise the Useless Sea. Hopefully, this publish will shed some mild 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. The whole sea ground was lined in these small salt balls which have been actually sharp on the toes.

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

Nonetheless, 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 normally round 30 + levels Celcius. The day that we visited, which was in October, was 35 levels.

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

Listed here are two movies exhibiting what the seashore appears to be like like.

Is it protected to swim within the Useless Sea?

Sure, it’s protected to swim within the Useless Sea however it’s good to comply with all the security measures once you do. It is advisable restrict your floating classes to twenty min max at a time.

Afterward, it’s good to lay down for 15-30 minutes. That’s because of the warmth and excessive salt content material of the water, your physique will get very dehydrated.

Due to this fact, it’s good to drink loads of water throughout and after the remainder interval.

I used to be pondering that the directions have been over-cautious. Nonetheless, I skilled the fatigue after floating myself and would extremely suggest following the principles. 

Additionally, it’s good to watch out once you enter the ocean.

What’s the easiest way to enter the Useless Sea?

In no way you have to be diving into the Useless Sea! The salinity is extraordinarily excessive and can harm your eyes.

Method slowly as a number of the shore rocks may 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 harm 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 together with your arms behind your head. That’s it!!

You’ll not sink even when you attempt to. I can by no means float so this was an incredible expertise for me. And if I can float so are you able to!!

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

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

The resort we stayed in for one night time 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, outlets, and some eating places. General, the resort wasn’t too dangerous however be sure you ask for a renovated room and one dealing with 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 outdoors.

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

The group was largely older folks which is smart contemplating that the ocean is getting used for lots of therapies reminiscent of pores and skin circumstances 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.

Nonetheless, the Useless Sea is slowly shrinking by a few meter yearly which is why now you must stroll to the seashore.

There are free showers by the seashore so be sure 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 guide any remedy. 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 showering go well with whereas they’re doing the mud wrap so don’t fear, you received’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 scrub off). You then rinse your self from the mud and get a pleasant stress-free therapeutic massage.

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

Extremely suggest using the spa packages within the resort to guide a pleasant and stress-free 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 when it comes to merchandise and value factors.

A number of the fundamental 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, examine Amazon as nicely as a result of a number of the merchandise are cheaper there.

Are the Useless Sea merchandise good?

Sure, I 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 may see a visual distinction after utilizing it which is uncommon in terms of skincare merchandise (normally it’s good to use the product for a while earlier than you may see outcomes).

The following greatest product is an exfoliator/scrub that makes use of the Useless Sea salt. You utilize 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 individual so I’ve not tried the bathtub salts however they’re in style as nicely.

How typically do you employ the Useless Sea mud masks?

In accordance with the directions on the package deal, it’s best to use the mud masks twice every week or not less than 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.

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

Ideas for visiting the Useless Sea in Israel

• Deliver water/swimming sneakers to keep away from your toes getting scratched
• Don’t enter if in case you have an open wound or lower as a result of it would sting like hell
• Don’t put on any jewellery as a result of it could actually get broken by the salt
• You may put on your regular bathing go well with as a result of you may be in a resort and it is going to be all vacationers round you
• Don’t keep within the water for greater than 20 min at a time, lay down afterward for not less than 15 min and drink a whole lot of water. In any other case, you’re going to 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 beloved 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 fully lined in salt balls (sharp on the toes) and we didn’t see any mud.

Due to this fact, if you’re extra within the salt, the Israel aspect has loads of it.

The Useless Sea in Jordan

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

We have been on the northeast aspect of the ocean (in Israel we have been on the southwest) which might be why it seemed so totally different.

What was the Useless Sea like on the Jordan aspect?

The Useless Sea on the Jordanian aspect appeared quite a bit 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 dirt. The temperatures have been additionally near 35 so it was extraordinarily scorching. 

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

In Jordan, we have been capable of expertise a number of the black mud on the seashore. It was collected in buckets by the shore the place everybody might 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 might be making use of lotion. Have somebody do your again.

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

Nonetheless, if in case you 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 would take a second to wash up as it is vitally 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 whole bucket residence! Understand that the black mud does have a definite earthy scent to it however it’s not disagreeable. 

What are a number of the Useless Sea motels 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 form 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 quite a bit newer and fancier. It had common swimming pools, a water slide, and outlets.

Take a look at 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 seemed good. Additionally, there’s a spa on this resort when you resolve you wish to do any therapies.

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

I obtained a number of merchandise from Jordan as nicely simply to have the ability to examine them higher. Nonetheless, as I discussed earlier it’s far more costly to purchase them in Jordan on account of their excessive foreign money.

It appeared like they’d very related merchandise: mud masks, exfoliants, face lotions, and many others. I obtained one other mud masks simply to check the 2 and up to now I actually prefer it.

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

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

A number of the Jordanian Useless Sea manufacturers are Bio Spa, Dead Sea Treasures, Bloom, Sensation, and many others.

Ideas for visiting the Jordan aspect of the Useless Sea

• Don’t put on your nicest bathing go well with or one that’s white as a result of the mud may 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 not less than 15 min and drink a whole lot of water. In any other case, you’re going to get actually dehydrated. 
• You may put on your regular bathing go well with as a result of you may be in a resort and it is going to 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 accomplice didn’t consider within the energy of the mud however he was pleasantly shocked about its results.

That they had showers on the seashore and changerooms within the resort. Due to this fact, 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 however it appeared far more so in Israel. The Jordan aspect had extra of the black mud on the shores.

You may comfortably float in each international locations. By way of the motels, I believe the one in Jordan was newer and fancier nevertheless the one in Israel had the within Useless Sea swimming pools and was cheaper.

I beloved the spa therapies that I did in Israel. From what I noticed in each international locations, the motels are resort fashion they usually all appeared related to one another.

If you wish to buy any Useless Sea merchandise (and it’s best to) it is going to be quite a bit 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 beloved the Useless Sea, the floating is calming and stress-free.

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 suggest visiting the Useless Sea however I can’t actually decide one county over the opposite. Whichever one you select, you should have an incredible expertise that can stick with you for the remainder of your life.