Quick answer
Siwa's salt lakes are shallow, mineral-rich lakes in the low-lying oasis basin, and beside them salt extraction has left turquoise pools so salty you float without effort. A float takes 15–20 minutes, plus time to rinse. Go in the morning or late afternoon, keep the water out of your eyes and cuts, and watch sunset over Lake Siwa from Fatnas Island.
Why does Siwa have salt lakes?
Siwa sits in a depression below sea level with no outlet, so water from its springs and fields collects in the lowest ground and evaporates in the desert heat, leaving its salts behind. Four main lakes lie across the oasis: Lake Siwa to the west of town, Lake Aghurmi near the Oracle Temple, the largest, Lake Zeitoun, to the east, and Lake Maraqi in the far west.
The lakes have grown in recent decades as more wells were drilled and irrigation drainage poured into them, flooding some palm gardens and pushing salt into the soil. That is a real problem for Siwan farmers. For visitors, the result is a landscape of glittering white shores, pale blue water and palms reflected in the shallows.
What is floating in a salt pool like?
You lie back and the water simply holds you up, head, shoulders and feet clear of the surface, in pools of an unreal turquoise ringed by crusts of white salt. The famous pools are flooded pits left by salt extraction on the lake margins, not natural ponds, and the water is so saturated that crystals grow on the edges and on anything left in it.
It feels slippery and slightly oily, and the water is warm on top in the afternoon sun. Most people find 15–20 minutes enough. Afterwards your skin dries with a white film of salt, so a freshwater rinse is essential. Which pools are open to visitors changes, as they sit on or near working salt sites; your guide will know the current options, usually 15–30 minutes from town by 4WD.
How do you float safely?
Ease in, lie back gently and keep the water away from your eyes, mouth and any cuts.
- Don't shave the day before: the brine stings on broken skin.
- Wear old sandals or water shoes: the salt crust on the edges and floor is sharp.
- Enter slowly and lean back; trying to swim face down splashes brine into your eyes.
- If brine gets in your eyes, don't rub them; rinse straight away with fresh water.
- Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Bring several litres of fresh water if the site has no shower.
- Wear an old swimsuit, or modest clothing you don't mind ruining; salt fades fabric and stiffens it.
The same modest dress rules apply as at the town springs: see Cleopatra's Spring for local etiquette.
What is salt used for in Siwa?
Salt has always been a building material here, as well as a commodity: the old town of Shali is made of kershef, salt-laden mud and rock dug from the lake shores. Some modern eco-lodges are built from salt blocks and kershef too, keeping rooms cool without air conditioning.
Today salt is also extracted commercially from the lake margins, and you will see the rectangular evaporation pits and heaps of white crystal from the road. In town, craftspeople carve salt into lamps, candle holders and small figures, sold alongside Siwa's dates and olive oil; they make a light, inexpensive souvenir, but keep them dry in your luggage.
When is the best season for a salt float?
October–November and March–April are ideal: the air is warm, around 25–30°C by day, and the shallow pools have soaked up enough sun to be comfortable. In December and January daytime temperatures in Siwa still reach about 20°C, but the water can feel cold and you will want a warm layer as soon as you get out, so go around midday.
From May to September the problem reverses. The sun reflecting off white salt is fierce, there is little or no shade at the pools, and the brine can feel almost hot. Go early in the morning, wear a hat and sunglasses until you are in the water, and drink plenty. Whatever the season, salt glare makes polarised sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen worth packing.
Where is the best sunset over the lakes?
Fatnas Island, on the edge of Lake Siwa about 6 km west of town, is the classic sunset spot, with palm-shaded cafés looking west across the water. Despite the name, it is reached by road along a short causeway. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset to find a seat, order mint tea, and watch the sun drop behind the far hills as the salt flats turn pink.
A quieter alternative is the rocky shoreline of Lake Siwa further along the western road towards Bahy el-Din. Combine a morning float with the Oracle Temple and Cleopatra's Spring, then save the afternoon for sunset, or for a Great Sand Sea safari on another day. Our Siwa Oasis guide suggests how to fit everything into three nights.
Siwa Salt Lakes: FAQs
Can you float in Siwa's salt lakes?
Yes. The turquoise salt pools left by salt extraction are so salty that you float effortlessly. Your guide will know which pools are open to visitors.
Are Siwa's salt pools saltier than the Dead Sea?
Both are salty enough that you float without effort. We have not seen reliable published salinity figures for the Siwa pools, so treat precise comparisons with caution.
How long should you stay in a salt pool?
About 15–20 minutes. Rinse off with fresh water straight afterwards.
Is there a fee to swim in the salt pools?
Arrangements vary by site. At the time of writing some pools are free and others charge a small local fee; your guide can confirm.
Where is the best place to watch sunset in Siwa?
Fatnas Island on Lake Siwa, about 6 km west of town, with cafés facing the sunset across the lake.
