The quick answer: Sharm El Sheikh has sun all year and almost no rain, around 7 mm in a whole year. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November) bring warm days, a warm sea and comfortable evenings. Summer is hot, with afternoons in the high 30s. Winter days are mild, around 22 °C, and the sea stays swimmable at about 21–23 °C. Below is the month-by-month picture, and the days out that suit each one.
Sharm El Sheikh weather and sea temperature by month
| Month | Air high | Air low | Sea | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22 | 13 | 21–23 | Coolest month; a shorty wetsuit helps |
| February | 23 | 14 | 21–23 | Cool evenings, sea at its coolest |
| March | 25 | 16 | 21–23 | Warming up; the khamsin can blow |
| April | 30 | 20 | about 23 | Warm days, still a cool sea |
| May | 33 | 24 | about 25 | Hot middays begin |
| June | 36 | 26 | about 26 | Hot; the sea warms quickly |
| July | 38 | 27 | about 28 | Peak heat; plan around midday |
| August | 38 | 28 | about 28 | Peak heat, warmest sea |
| September | 35 | 26 | about 28 | Still hot, sea still warm |
| October | 32 | 23 | 27–28 | Heat easing, warm sea |
| November | 27 | 19 | 25–26 | Mild days, warm sea |
| December | 23 | 15 | about 24 | Mild days, cool evenings |
Two things the table doesn't show. First, wind: there's a breeze off the sea most days, it usually picks up after lunch, and it's why boat trips leave in the morning. Second, the sun: Sharm gets around 3,800 hours of it a year, and on the water it's strong even in January.
Winter: December to February
Winter is why many Europeans come: warm days while home is grey. Mornings and evenings are cool enough for a jacket, especially out in the desert or on deck on the way home.
December
Days around 23 °C, the sea about 24 °C, and the holiday weeks are the busiest of the season. Book boat days early in your stay so a windy day can be swapped. Clear, cool air makes this a good month for long desert days like Canyon Salama, which runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
January and February
The coolest weeks: about 22 °C by day, 13–14 °C at night. Can you swim in Sharm in winter? Yes. The sea is about 21–23 °C, cooler than summer but warmer than the air on a breezy morning. For a long snorkel a shorty wetsuit makes a real difference; on the shared boats you can hire one on board. A sunny afternoon is the time for the quad and buggy safari: the 16:00 departure ends at sunset.
Spring: March to May
Spring is when the air warms faster than the water. March still feels like winter at sea; by May the middle of the day is hot. Spring can also bring the khamsin, a hot, dry, dusty wind that blows for a day or two at a time. When it does, the sea gets choppy and the desert hazy: keep a flexible day in your plan.
March and April
Days of 25–30 °C with a sea about 21–23 °C, rising towards 23 °C. Snorkelling is comfortable with a wetsuit, and the water is at its clearest on calm mornings. A Ras Mohammed boat day suits this month; if you are choosing between reefs, read Ras Mohammed vs Tiran first.
May
About 33 °C by day and a sea around 25 °C. Early starts pay off: the 08:00 beach horse ride at Nabq is cool and quiet, and the evening ride at 17:00 finishes in the sunset.
Summer: June to August
Summer is hot and dry, with afternoons of 36–38 °C and nights that stay above 26 °C. It's also when the sea is warmest, about 28 °C in July and August, so time in the water is a relief rather than a challenge. The rule is simple: sea in the morning, shade at midday, desert late. Families often choose shorter trips, such as a glass-bottom boat or an hour of water sports in Naama Bay, from the boat trips and water sports page.
June, July and August
Pick full boat days that start early and get you on deck before the heat builds. The Tiran Island snorkelling trip leaves at 08:30. Drink more water than you think you need, and keep a long-sleeved top for the boat: sunburn on the back of the legs is the classic summer souvenir.
Autumn: September to November
Autumn is the mirror of spring, but the sea is still holding its summer warmth. September is hot, about 35 °C, with a sea around 28 °C. By October days ease to about 32 °C and the water stays at 27–28 °C. November is mild, about 27 °C, with a sea of 25–26 °C. For many people this is the most comfortable balance of warm water and bearable air: spring and autumn are the seasons most often recommended for snorkelling.
October and November
Good months for everything at once: reef in the morning, desert in the late afternoon. This is also a sensible time for the long day to Cairo: the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum leave on Tuesday and Friday, by overnight coach or by flight. Under current UK travel advice, the free entry stamp for the Sinai resorts doesn't cover Cairo, so UK travellers need a full visa for this trip; check the rules for your own passport.
Days out that work in most months
What to pack, by season
- All year: sunglasses, a hat, a long-sleeved top for the boat, and your own mask if you snorkel often.
- December to March: a fleece or light jacket for evenings, the desert and the boat ride home.
- June to September: light, loose clothes that cover the shoulders, and a refillable water bottle.
- Spring: a scarf or buff for dusty days, if the khamsin blows.
For where to snorkel and what to bring in the water, see our snorkelling guide to Sharm El Sheikh, and for every day out across the year, start from things to do in Sharm El Sheikh.
questions, answered
Can you swim in Sharm El Sheikh in winter?
Yes. The sea is about 21–23 °C from January to March. Many people swim without a wetsuit; for a long snorkel, a shorty wetsuit is more comfortable.
Which month has the warmest sea?
August, closely followed by July and September, at about 28 °C. October is still around 27–28 °C, with much milder air.
When is it windiest?
There's wind most afternoons all year, which is why boat trips leave in the morning. In spring the khamsin, a hot, dusty wind, can blow for a day or two at a time.
What's the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh for snorkelling?
Spring and autumn are the seasons most often recommended: warm water, comfortable air and calm mornings. Summer has the warmest sea; winter is fine with a wetsuit.
Is it too hot in July and August?
It's hot, around 38 °C in the afternoon, but dry. Plan the sea for the morning, rest at midday and go to the desert late, on the 16:00 safari departure.
