Sailing on the Dead Sea: Boat Tours Through Salt Formations and Hidden Shorelines
For most of the past 75 years, no commercial passenger boats sailed the Dead Sea. The border between Israel and Jordan runs north to south through the center of the water, placing it under military jurisdiction. Only in recent years have a small number of operators obtained the required military permits and commercial sailing licenses to take passengers onto this body of water.
The result is one of the rarest tour experiences in the Middle East: sailing across water with 34.2% salinity, past geological formations that no road or trail can reach.
Sailing on the Dead Sea is one of the rarest water based tour experiences on Earth. Only a small number of licensed vessels have operated on the Dead Sea since 1948, because the Israel Jordan border runs through the water’s center, placing navigation under military jurisdiction that requires special permits taking years to obtain.
What the Boat Tours Reveal The northern Dead Sea shoreline, accessible only by water, contains geological formations that change measurably each year as the water level drops approximately 1 meter annually. Boat tours from Kibbutz
Mitzpe Shalem follow this coastline, and the features they reveal are unlike anything visible from the public beaches further south.
Salt pillars rise from the water like mineral icebergs, their visible portion growing larger each season as the lake recedes. Salt caves, once submerged, now perch several meters above the current waterline.
Graduated terraces along the cliffs record the Dead Sea’s retreat, with each roughly 1 meter step representing one year of water level decline. Salt “diamonds” (cubic halite crystals) and salt “pearls” (rounded mineral formations) line the hidden beaches.
Freshwater springs flow directly into the Dead Sea at several points along the northern shore, creating small oases of brackish water where visitors can dip during extended tours. Sinkholes filled with mineral water are visible from the boat, their turquoise color contrasting with the Dead Sea’s dense blue green surface.
Dead Sea boat tours pass graduated terraces carved into the shoreline cliffs, where each roughly 1 meter high step represents a single year of water level decline. These terraces are a visible geological record of the Dead Sea’s decline, which has removed approximately 40% of the lake’s surface area in recent decades and continues at a rate of roughly 1 meter of depth per year.
The Operators The primary boat tour operators on the Dead Sea include Salty Landscapes (also known as Nofei Melach in Hebrew) and the Dead Sea Revival Project, both based near Kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem on the northern shore. The Dead Sea Revival Project, founded by environmental photojournalist Noam Bedein, combines boat tours with environmental education and advocacy, documenting the Dead Sea’s changing landscape through photography and timelapse documentation. The vessels are specially adapted for the Dead Sea’s extreme salinity, which corrodes standard marine equipment far faster than ocean water. Each boat holds 10 to 14 passengers, and the operators hold both commercial sailing licenses and the required military authorizations.
Tour Duration and Options Duration Experience Best For 1 hour Shoreline overview, First time visitors, salt formations tight schedules 2 hours Extended coastline, Most visitors (standard salt caves, mud stops tour) 3 to 5 hours Full northern shore, Photographers, nature springs, photography enthusiasts, private stops groups All tours depart from a meeting point at the Mitzpe Shalem junction on Route 90, approximately 50 minutes south of Jerusalem. From there, operators transport passengers by 4×4 to the launch beach, as the shore is not accessible by standard road.
The Environmental Dimension
Sailing on the Dead Sea is inseparable from witnessing its ecological crisis. The Dead Sea has lost approximately 40% of its surface area in recent decades, primarily due to diversion of the Jordan River (the Dead Sea’s primary water source) for agriculture and industry, and mineral extraction operations in the southern basin. Boat tours document this change in real time. Operators and passengers frequently discover formations, springs, and beaches that were submerged as recently as a few years prior. Environmental photojournalist Noam Bedein has named newly exposed features, including a stream he designated the “Jerusalem River,” which emerged as the water level dropped enough to reveal it.
As the Dead Sea loses approximately 1 meter of depth per year, boat tours are discovering geological features that were submerged as recently as 2020. Environmental photojournalist Noam Bedein, who operates one of the licensed vessels, has documented salt formations, freshwater springs, and entire beaches that have emerged from the receding water, naming one newly exposed stream the “Jerusalem River.”* Practical Details Booking is required at least 48 hours in advance. Tours operate daily when conditions permit, though wind, extreme heat, and rain can cause cancellations (at the operator’s discretion). Groups of fewer than 10 may need to join an existing booking or pay a minimum group rate.
Recommended items include a swimsuit (for possible mud stops and spring dips), hat, towel, camera or waterproof phone case, water shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and drinking water. The Dead Sea’s salt spray can damage electronics, so protective cases are advisable for camera equipment.
NEEDS VERIFICATION: Current pricing (approximately 2,100 NIS for up to 10 people for a standard tour, as of 2023 data). Verify directly with operators.
FAQ Section
Can you actually sail on the Dead Sea?
Yes. A small number of licensed operators hold military permits and commercial sailing licenses to operate boat tours on the Dead Sea’s northern section. These tours depart from near Kibbutz Mitzpe Shalem and navigate the coastline between Israel and the international border with Jordan.
Why are Dead Sea boat tours so rare?
The Israel Jordan border runs through the center of the Dead Sea, placing it under military jurisdiction. Operators must obtain special permits from the military in addition to standard commercial sailing licenses, a process that can take years. Currently only a small number of vessels are authorized.
How far in advance should I book a Dead Sea boat tour?
Book at least 48 hours in advance, and further ahead during peak tourist seasons (Passover, Sukkot, school holidays). Some popular dates book months in advance. Contact operators directly for availability.
What will I see on a Dead Sea boat tour?
Tours pass salt pillars, salt caves, salt crystal formations (including cubic salt diamonds), freshwater springs flowing into the
Dead Sea, mineral rich mud beaches, and graduated shoreline terraces that record the Dead Sea’s annual water level decline of approximately 1 meter per year.
Is kayaking available on the Dead Sea?
Some operators offer kayak experiences alongside or as alternatives to motorized boat tours. The Dead Sea’s dense water (1.24 grams per milliliter) affects kayak handling differently than freshwater or ocean kayaking. Availability varies by operator and season.
Is it safe to swim during a Dead Sea boat tour?
The boat tour beaches are not approved for swimming, and swimming is prohibited at the launch areas. However, some extended tours include stops at springs or mud beaches where controlled dipping is permitted under the guide’s supervision. Standard Dead Sea safety rules apply: avoid submerging the face, limit exposure to 15 to 20 minutes, and rinse with fresh water.