Ein Bokek, Israeli resort
Ein Bokek is a seaside resort on the Dead Sea with public beaches of sand and rocks where the water is so salty that floating is effortless and bodies naturally bob on the surface. Black mud that washes ashore naturally is used by many visitors as a skincare treatment applied directly to the body.
Ein Bokek developed in the second half of the 1900s as a tourism destination built on the healing properties of the Dead Sea waters. Its growth followed the recognition of the mineral-rich water and mud as therapeutically valuable, leading to the construction of hotels and spa facilities.
Ein Bokek's name comes from Hebrew, meaning "spring of the flash of light". The place has become known for the ritual of floating in the salt water and applying black mud from the shore, a practice that visitors and locals treat as a renewal experience tied to the region's natural resources.
The beaches have showers, changing rooms, and toilets for visitors, along with lounge chairs, umbrellas, drinking fountains, and lifeguards on duty. A snack bar serves light refreshments, making it practical for a full day of relaxation.
The water is so dense that it is impossible to sink or drown, and the human body floats automatically at the surface without any effort. This physical property makes swimming an entirely different experience from normal water and is the main draw for visitors to the location.
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