This peculiar little island, made entirely of white salt, is located in the heart of the Dead Sea, one of the saltiest seas in the world. Located in front of Ein Bokek beach, only two hours by car from Jerusalem, it looks like a surreal place: a small piece of land of dazzling white surrounded by a fabulous turquoise pool, with a swimming pool and a solitary tree planted in the middle. We are in the deepest depression on Earth, exactly 415 meters below sea level.
This island is the furthest from shore of all the saltwater formations and is located 300 meters from the coast. The only way to get there is with your own hands and legs, swimming or paddleboarding from Neve Zohar beach. Unfortunately – this is easier said than done. While floating in the Dead Sea is very easy, swimming is not. It takes about 20 minutes to get there, so be prepared!
And where does the tree come from? The Dead Sea can’t support any life, obviously, so the tree was put there as an art installation showing how the Dead Sea is shrinking (dying) due to climate change. The local artist took care of it by paddleboarding to the island and adding mud with minerals every other day.
