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EG · WINTER BY THE SEA

Sharm el-Sheikh & Dahab.
Winter by the sea.
Not the summer.

Reefs and warm sea in winter, not a summer heat escape.

Explore when to visit

Naama Bay & Ras Um Sid

BEST TIME TO VISITDecember–February

Red Sea winter

SEASONAL CLIMATEusually 22–28 °C

Local conditions may differ from averages

SEA TEMPERATUREaround 22–25 °C

Consider waves and local sea conditions

HOLIDAY STYLEWinter sea & coast

Not a summer coolcation destination

YOUR HOLIDAY. COMFORTABLY DIFFERENT.

A gentler journey.
More time to discover.

The southern Sinai is a Red Sea winter escape for clear water, reefs and relaxed days between November and February. In Egyptian summer the same coast is consistently hot: this is not a summer coolcation.

Heat builds quickly from spring and exceeds comfortable coolcation levels in summer. Reef access, currents and protected areas demand care. Allow time for changing plans, rather than treating every stop as a checklist.

Which region does this guide cover?

This guide covers Sharm el-Sheikh, Naama Bay, Nabq, Ras Mohammed and Dahab in the southern Sinai. Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Marsa Alam and Egypt’s Mediterranean coast are separate destinations.

PLACES THAT STAY WITH YOU

Places worth lingering.
Not just ticking off.

Three ways to discover Sharm el-Sheikh & Dahab—with time for the unexpected.

01 / SHARM EL-SHEIKH

Naama Bay & Ras Um Sid

Beach coves and reef access near Sharm el-Sheikh, depending on the accommodation and conditions.

02 / DAHAB

Dahab Lagoon & Promenade

A slower-paced base for watersports, diving and waterfront walks, often with more wind.

03 / COAST & NATURE

Ras Mohammed

Protected coastal and marine landscapes at Sinai’s southern tip; visit with appropriate safeguards.

Nabq

Resort coast and reefs north of Sharm; the wind exposure varies.

Blue Hole near Dahab

A famous but demanding dive site; only for qualified visitors with reputable operators.

Desert Excursion

Enjoy desert scenery early or late rather than under the midday sun.

THE RIGHT TIME FOR YOU

How does
your travel month feel?

Choose your month: climate, travel experience and activities at a glance.

January

Excellent

Winter coolcation: comfortable air for beach days, sea swimming and gentle outings.

Visitor numbersBusier

Seasonal price levelHigher

Daytime average22 °CDaily maximum

2021–2025 Ø 23.2 °C +1.2 °C

Night-time average11.5 °CDaily minimum

Rainfall4.9 mmper month

WaterPleasanteditorial assessment

Heat riskLowqualitative assessment

Humidity discomfortLowqualitative assessment

Sea & coast5/5

Mountains & lakes1/5

Nature4/5

Cities & culture4/5

Long-term monthly averages for the stated climate-reference location. Local altitude, coastal exposure and microclimates can differ. These are climate averages, not weather forecasts. Sources & context

Winter by the sea.
Summer brings the heat.

December–February · Red Sea winter. Heat builds quickly from spring and exceeds comfortable coolcation levels in summer. Reef access, currents and protected areas demand care. The summer months are not recommended as a coolcation.

1991–2020 · Average daily maximum

2021–2025 warmer

2021–2025 cooler

22°+1.2°Jan

23.7°-0.2°Feb

25.1°+0.5°Mar

29.7°+1.3°Apr

33.8°+0.4°May

36.6°+0.8°Jun

37.2°+0.6°Jul

37.4°+1.4°Aug

35.6°+0.6°Sep

32.4°+0.5°Oct

27.8°+1.4°Nov

23.8°+0.9°Dec

Temperature comparison: The bars show the 1991–2020 climate normal. The coloured line shows how the five most recent complete years, 2021–2025, differ: red = warmer, green = cooler. These five years form a recent comparison period, not a new climate normal.

Compare climate data across the year

Sharm el Sheikh · climate reference · Climate normals 1991–2020
Month	Day	Night	Rainfall
January	22 °C	11.5 °C	4.9 mm
February	23.7 °C	13.1 °C	0 mm
March	25.1 °C	15.4 °C	0.5 mm
April	29.7 °C	18.5 °C	0 mm
May	33.8 °C	23.1 °C	0.1 mm
June	36.6 °C	25.8 °C	0 mm
July	37.2 °C	27.9 °C	0 mm
August	37.4 °C	28 °C	2.8 mm
September	35.6 °C	25.9 °C	0 mm
October	32.4 °C	22.5 °C	9 mm
November	27.8 °C	18.2 °C	5.8 mm
December	23.8 °C	13.8 °C	0 mm

Temperature and precipitation: Meteostat Point Climate Normals (1991–2020). Heat and humidity follow the same Coolcation methodology for all destinations. Coastal sea temperatures, where available, use NOAA OISST 1991–2020.

Which activities suit each month?

Editorial suitability: 0 unsuitable · 1 very limited · 2 limited · 3 good · 4 very good · 5 excellent. Overall suitability rates a varied sightseeing trip. Winter sports and swimming are assessed separately.

Consider travel dates and holiday preferences together
Holiday preference	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Overall travel suitability	5	5	4	2	1	1	1	1	1	2	4	5
Sea & coast	5	5	5	4	3	2	2	2	3	4	5	5
Mountains & lakes	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Nature	4	4	4	3	2	2	2	2	2	3	4	4
Cities & culture	4	4	4	3	2	2	2	2	2	3	4	4
Walking	4	4	3	2	1	0	0	0	1	2	3	4
Cycling	3	3	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	3
Sea swimming	4	4	4	4	4	3	3	3	3	4	4	4
Wildlife watching	4	4	4	3	2	2	2	2	2	3	4	4
Winter sports	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Suitability ratings are editorial guidance, not guarantees of safety or weather. Choose activities based on current conditions, access rules, your experience and local advice. Swimming suitability never overrides sea warnings.

All months, visitor numbers & seasonal prices

Visitor numbers, seasonal price levels and monthly tips · editorial guidance
Month	Visitor numbers	Prices	Assessment
January	Busier	Higher	Winter coolcation: comfortable air for beach days, sea swimming and gentle outings.
February	Busier	Higher	Another strong winter month for swimming, snorkelling and active days without midsummer heat.
March	Moderate	Mid-range	A transition month: sea temperatures remain inviting, but daytime heat builds.
April	Moderate	Mid-range	Sunny and increasingly hot; less suitable for a genuine coolcation.
May	Moderate	Mid-range	Not a coolcation month: intense sun and high temperatures dominate.
June	Busier	Higher	Not a summer coolcation: organise any essential outdoor activity early or late.
July	Busier	Higher	Very hot: the weather does not meet the aim of a heat-conscious holiday.
August	Busier	Higher	Peak heat makes this a beach-resort holiday rather than a coolcation.
September	Moderate	Mid-range	Still hot; any activities outside are best limited to cooler hours.
October	Moderate	Mid-range	The sea stays warm while daytime air temperatures gradually ease.
November	Busier	Higher	Early winter-sun season: enjoyable water, though days can still feel summer-like.
December	Busier	Higher	Winter coolcation: sea, sunshine and gentler daytime temperatures.

YOUR PREFERENCES. YOUR HOLIDAY.

For travellers who
prefer their own pace.

The southern Sinai is a Red Sea winter escape for clear water, reefs and relaxed days between November and February.

A great fit for you.

You enjoy reefs and warm sea in winter, not a summer heat escape.
You like a mix of interesting places and time to slow down.
You plan trips around the season rather than expecting perfect weather.
You prefer thoughtful excursions to trying to see everything at once.