swimming in the Dead Sea

We stayed overnight at a hotel so I cannot answer some of your questions, but yes it will be warm enough. We were there in November and while it was not a hot day at the beach we were comfortable to stay in the water for awhile. And I get cold easily. Make sure you do not shave that day and don't rub the towel along your body once you get out, pat dry only. Also the water in the Dead Sea feels very oily and is difficult to just rinse out of suits, you may have to use soap/shampoo a couple times to get it all out.

I was in Israel in July and took a "Bein Harim" day trip tour to Masada and the Dead Sea. The place that they took us had lockers (small fee), as well as a changing area and showers. I can't answer if it will be warm enough in October, but I do know in July the water was very warm and the sand was the hottest that I have ever experienced before.

Thank you for the comments! Since the water leaves an oily residue/feel I think I will pack an older swim suit for this. Don't want to mess up my new ones.

Also took a day tour to Masada and Dead Sea resort -- you don't "swim", you "float" ( with your face above water) and maybe cover yourself with mud. Went in October, which was quite warm. Tour included the resort fee for showers, pool, locker, towel.

I stayed at a hotel within walking distance from the Dead Sea, so I can't comment on lockers, but I wanted to pile on to say that the idea of bringing an old swimsuit is a very solid idea. When I was there, several of the women I was with had purchased brand new bathing suits for this trip, they used them once in the Dead Sea and some of the suits were ruined after that. The oily water is hard to get out and the suits don't dry well. My friends did the best they could in hotel sinks, but by the time we got home 6 days later the suits were moldy and ended up being thrown away. I had done some research on this before I left so my traveling companion and I had packed things to wear in the Dead Sea that we planned to throw out anyway. It was definitely the way to go and it left us a little extra suitcase room for shopping in Jerusalem.

Also, don't ignore the advice not to shave your legs and to be careful toweling off when you get out. Floating in the Dead Sea was amazing, (especially at sunset) but you will find every little cut and scrape you didn't know you had. Hope you have fun!

Thanks for the advice! I am in the process of packing now and will pack an old swim suit. I bought two new suits at the summer sale but even with a reduced price (65% off) they were expensive Imo. No way can I have one ruined.

I'm back from my Israel trip and can share my experience. We did a tour and lockers/towels were provided--towels were small and not in great shape. They sold water shoes ($10) which my husband opted to purchase. I did not and there was no problem with getting into the water without them. The water was very warm and we enjoyed the experience but did not do the mud baths--once was enough in NZ. I think this may be what caused the oily residue that coats skin/swim suits.

The oily feeling is because of the extremely high concentration of salts dissolved in the water. There is no "oil." What is left on skin and clothes after a dip is mineral salt residue. Let it dry and it crystallizes.