Siwa: The Siwa Salt Lakes in Egypt’s Siwa Oasis are renowned for their unique turquoise waters and an unusual experience: the difficulty of sinking in many of the pools. Unlike some viral travel spots that fail to meet expectations, these desert pools often appear as captivating in person as they do in online photos.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the pools are shaped by the region’s geology and salt extraction processes, located near Egypt’s border with Libya. As minerals are extracted from dried salt lakes, some basins fill naturally with water from underground springs. The intense desert climate causes rapid evaporation, leaving behind high concentrations of mineral salts. This high salinity increases the water’s density, providing strong buoyancy that allows swimmers to float easily.
Reports suggest that salt levels in certain pools can reach extremely high concentrations, far surpassing those of seawater, enhancing buoyancy and making sinking unlikely. Beyond their visual appeal, the Siwa lakes are tied to the oasis’s rich history, with archaeological finds dating back thousands of years. Locally, salt and salt-rich materials have traditionally been used in construction, including historic structures like the Shali Fortress.
Currently, salt from the lakes is used in various products and wellness practices. Visitors and locals believe the mineral-rich water aids skin and sinus issues, though these claims are based on tradition and personal experiences. Visitors are advised to avoid getting the water in their eyes and not to shave immediately before swimming to prevent irritation.
Travelers typically book day tours from Cairo or Alexandria to visit the lakes or use local transport like tuk-tuks for shorter trips. In addition to floating in the salt pools, tourists often explore attractions such as Cleopatra’s Pool, the Oracle Temple, the Shali Fortress area, and the Mountain of the Dead tombs. Siwa gained accessibility after a highway was opened in the 1980s, placing the once-isolated oasis on Egypt’s travel map.