Slather yourself in mud and float in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea beaches. Many of the beaches at the Dead Sea are privately owned and charge an entrance fee. This is partly due to the constantly changing level of the Dead Sea (each year it shrinks by 1-1.5 meters), which means that every few years the beach and the supporting services must move to a new location.
Having said this, there are some public beaches. But if you’re visiting the Dead Sea as a bucket-list destination, it’s well worth paying a small amount to get the best possible experience while visiting.
Here are the best Dead Sea beaches (from north to south):
Kalia Beach
Kibbutz Kalia operates the northern-most beach at the Dead Sea. It features great facilities, including a bar (perhaps the lowest in the world), restaurant, gift shop, pool, changing room facilities, and towel rental. Kalia is friendly for all ages, and the sea has natural mud which is there for visitors to immerse themselves in. Don’t miss the 360-degree view over the desert. Kalia is just a 25-minute drive from Jerusalem
Typical visitor: International tourists
Best if you want a conservative and unsurprising Dead Sea beach.
Biankini Beach
Just south of Kalia Beach is Biankini Beach, a Moroccan-style oasis and holiday resort. Besides the beach, Biankini has a traditional Moroccan restaurant and accommodation options. During Israeli holiday periods, keep in mind that Biankini can get very busy, but in the off-peak times it’s a fun and unique Dead Sea experience.
Typical visitor: Israeli families.
Best if you want a more unusually-themed experience at the Dead Sea.
Neve Midbar Beach
Off the same access road as Biankini Beach, Neve Midbar Beach is also found in the north Megillot Region. Neve Midbar is the least commercialized of the three northernmost beaches at the Dead Sea. With a great beach area, lawned areas for barbecues, a bar (maybe also the lowest in the world) as well as a gift shop, it has great facilities and attracts a younger crowd than the two other beaches.
Typical visitor: Younger crowds from Israel and abroad.
Best if you want to sit and relax in a fun, laid-back atmosphere.
Ein Gedi Public Beach
The public beach at Ein Gedi is free to enter and has showers and other basic facilities, although the ‘beach’ area is pretty rocky and not so pleasant to walk over. But once you’re in the water, it’s the same great experience. There is a spot to the south of the shore with natural black Dead Sea mud. Also, the beach has a large area for picnics and tents.
*Ein Gedi Beach is currently closed due to sinkholes in the area.
Ein Bokek
The Dead Sea beaches at Ein Bokek, in the southern Dead Sea, are lined with resort hotels so they can be busy during the peak season (as with the other beaches).
Tourist Israel Suggestion:
Want to combine the Dead Sea with other interesting sites in the region? Check out these tour options to make the most of your visit to the Dead Sea beaches of Israel.
