Floating in Atacama Desert Salt Lakes

The Atacama Desert in Chile is a geologic oddity, where turquoise salt lakes dotted with pockets of water float on the shore like a surreal mirror. In one of these saline pools, the kind of water that rises almost to the level of the sun’s dazzling rays lays sprawled a woman floating in a sky-high water bed. The flotation effect is like the salty waters at the Dead Sea.

The clarity of blue water is vibrant, and the combination can be disorienting. If you’re thinking this is more of an illusion, it’s not. A saltwater sea really does float you in the Atacama Desert. The surrounding mountains and rocky landscape turn the saltwater lagoons into a unique floating experience. The turquoise is like nothing else in the world.

An eerie oasis in the clouds

In the Atacama Desert's vast expanse of white salt pans, the lagoons stand out like unexpected art. The Dead Sea sits in the barren valley of the Jordan Rift. Like the Dead Sea, the pools in Atacama are so salty that they buoy visitors high up to the surface in the water.

The pull of salt lakes

These are the same salt lakes that have been attracting tourists for decades. Many people drink in Delight. The Dead Sea is a popular tourist destination in Israel. It has been famous for centuries. But like in the Dead Sea, you are ‘dragging’ yourself in the Atacama Desert too. Watersiles at the pools are places where you can drink in the waters. The Atacama salt lakes in the desert also have salty water. The actual buoyancy in the Atacama Desert can be felt from the extra salt, anywhere there is a deep layer of water.

From the top

The aerial clip opens a perspective in the Atacama Desert. This aerial clip is the unique aspect of floating in a salt lake. The clip makes you experience the sensation of floating in the water. While floating, the saltways seem to be like a depression.

A floating perspective

The water and the surrounding rocky landscape combine with the atmosphere in a way to make the swimmer feel like a soul navigating the vast universe in Chile. Floating in the water is different from floating in the desert. The aerial clip at the top of the mountain lets you feel the space around you’re floating in it. The Atacama Desert and its salt lakes have unique features. Its white salt flats, turquoise lagoons, and a striking pink hue will enhance the perception of the landscape and make you immerse yourself in the expansiveness of the desert.

The science behind floating

Unusual compared to the Dead Sea, the salt lakes in the Atacama Desert are not filled with oil. Because the salt content is high, they make the entire surface of the water float.

Like the Dead Sea, but different

The Dead Sea has a buoyancy effect, but the salt lakes of Atacama are different from it. The difference lies in the fact that the buoyant effect of the Dead Sea is natural, whereas the Atacama salt lakes have a unique property where the buoyant effect is a result of the extra salt in the water.

The salt-generating experience

Because the lakes' water is as salty as that of the Dead Sea, any visitors to these salt lakes do not need to swim in them. The salt content of the lakes will do this for you.

• BEFORE VISITING: Check the weather conditions and pack appropriate clothing. Wear a swimwear which makes easy to float.
• DURING FLOATING: When you float, you will need to focus on how your body is supported by the water.
• AFTERWARD: If your skin feels dry or itchy, rinse off with fresh water or apply a moisturizing lotion. Lie down on the edge and enjoy the scenery.

Between theory and reality

The mystery of floating on water is only achieved when you are floating on it. Only then can you experience the sensation of it and the saltiness of the water in your body. The Atacama salt lakes are only accessible using an aerial perspective. The Aerial perspective of the video gives an incredible view of how high you can float. The overall floating experience will put you between thinking and doing.