The best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh for most travellers is March to May or October to November, when days are warm rather than scorching, evenings are comfortable and the sea is lovely for snorkeling. Summer (June to September) is hot, often 35–40°C or more, but the water is at its warmest; winter (December to February) brings mild days of around 21–25°C, cooler evenings and the occasional windy spell. Sharm is sunny almost every day of the year, so there isn’t really a bad month — just a different way to plan your days.
Sharm El Sheikh weather and sea temperature by month
The figures below are approximate ranges for a typical year. Individual days can be hotter, cooler or windier, so treat them as a guide rather than a forecast.
| Month | Daytime | Evening | Sea | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21–23°C | 15–17°C | about 22°C | Mild days, cool nights, some windy days; usually calmer after New Year |
| February | 21–24°C | 15–17°C | 21–22°C | Coolest sea of the year; wind possible |
| March | 24–27°C | 17–19°C | about 22°C | Warming up fast; great for the desert |
| April | 27–30°C | 19–22°C | 23–24°C | One of the best months; busy around Easter |
| May | 30–34°C | 22–25°C | 24–25°C | Hot middays begin; sea very pleasant |
| June | 35–38°C | 26–28°C | about 26°C | Summer heat arrives; plan early and late |
| July | 37–40°C+ | 28–30°C | about 27°C | Peak heat; school holidays begin |
| August | 37–40°C+ | 28–30°C | 27–28°C | Warmest sea; busy with families |
| September | 35–38°C | 26–28°C | 27–28°C | Still very hot; often calmer once schools go back |
| October | 31–34°C | 23–25°C | 26–27°C | Excellent: warm sea, easier heat |
| November | 26–29°C | 19–22°C | 24–25°C | Excellent: comfortable all day |
| December | 22–25°C | 15–17°C | about 23°C | Mild; very busy from Christmas to New Year |
One thing the table doesn’t show: the desert cools down faster than town after sunset, so a winter evening at a Bedouin camp feels noticeably colder than the same evening in Naama Bay.
Season by season: what it really feels like
Spring (March to May)
Spring is a favourite in our family. The winter wind fades, the sea starts warming and the desert is still comfortable in the middle of the day. March can still throw in a breezy day or two and cool evenings, while May starts to feel properly hot by lunchtime. If you want to do a bit of everything — a boat day, the desert, a horse ride, evenings out — this is the easiest season to plan.
Summer (June to September)
Summer in Sharm is hot and dry: 35–40°C and sometimes more, with little relief before sunset. It’s still a busy season, especially with families on school holidays, because the sea is warm and the sun is reliable.
The trick is timing. Do anything active early in the morning or from late afternoon, and keep the midday hours for the pool, the beach umbrella or a siesta. For a desert safari in Sharm El Sheikh in summer, choose an afternoon ride that runs into sunset rather than a midday slot — you get softer light, cooler air and far better photos. On the water, the semi-submarine with its air-conditioned lower cabin is a good hot-day option for anyone who doesn’t want to swim.
Local tip: in July and August, drink before you feel thirsty and carry water everywhere, even on a short trip to the Old Market. The dry heat dries you out faster than humid heat back home.
Autumn (October to November)
October and November feel like spring, but with warmer water, because the sea holds on to the summer heat for weeks. Days drop from the low 30s to the high 20s, evenings are perfect for dinner outside in Naama Bay or the Old Market, and the desert becomes pleasant again in the afternoon. If your dates are flexible, this is the window we recommend most.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is mild by European standards: days of around 21–25°C with plenty of sunshine, and evenings around 15–17°C that call for a jumper. The sea drops to around 21–22°C by February — refreshing and swimmable for most adults, but chilly for small children after a while.
The thing to plan around is wind. Sharm gets occasional windy spells in winter, and on those days the sea is choppy and boat trips can be rough; on the windiest days the port authority can keep boats in harbour. Book the Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip early in your holiday so there is room to move it if needed. Our Ras Mohammed National Park guide explains what the day looks like and how stops are chosen.
Winter is also excellent for the desert: you can ride in the middle of the day without suffering, and an evening Bedouin dinner feels cosy rather than sweaty. Just bring a warm layer.
Which activities suit which season
| Activity | Best months | Timing tip |
|---|---|---|
| Snorkeling and boat trips | All year; most comfortable April–May and October–November | In winter, pick a calm day and bring a warm layer for the sail back |
| Desert safari (quad or buggy) | October to April | June to September: go in the afternoon and ride into sunset |
| Glass-bottom boat and semi-submarine | All year | Great for non-swimmers; shade or air-conditioning on hot days |
| Horse riding on the beach | All year | Sunset rides are the most popular; in summer, sunset is the only sensible time |
| Introductory shore dive | All year | Warmest water from August to October |
| Banana boat and parasailing | All year | Depends on the wind on the day; mornings are often calmer |
| Road trips to Dahab or Cairo | October to April | Cooler months make walking around at the other end far nicer |
Our quad biking and desert safari guide goes deeper on choosing a morning or sunset ride, and a sunset horse ride on the beach in Nabq is one of the nicest ways to end a hot summer day. Planning a day out of town? See how to get from Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab.
Busy periods and holidays in Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm gets busier at certain times of year, and it’s worth knowing them before you book flights:
- Christmas to New Year — the busiest stretch for European visitors, from roughly the week before Christmas into the first days of January.
- Easter — a popular spring break; the date moves every year.
- Summer school holidays — July and August bring lots of families.
- Egyptian and Gulf holidays — national holidays and the two Eid holidays bring many visitors from Cairo and the Gulf. Eid dates move each year with the Islamic calendar, so check the dates for your year.
Outside these windows Sharm is usually calmer. On busy dates, book your excursions and your Sharm El Sheikh airport transfer ahead of time — send us your flight details and your driver meets you at arrivals.
Not sure which week suits you? Message Mido Tours on WhatsApp at +20 10 1868 1624 with your dates and who’s travelling, and we’ll tell you honestly what works best that week.
What to pack for each season
Summer (June to September)
- Light, loose cotton or linen clothes
- A wide-brimmed hat and good sunglasses
- High-factor reef-safe sunscreen — more than you think you need
- A refillable water bottle
- A rash guard for snorkeling
- Sandals, plus water shoes for hot sand
Winter (December to February)
- A warm jumper or fleece and a light windproof jacket for evenings and boat days
- Long trousers for the desert and evenings out
- A shorty wetsuit if you feel the cold in the water
- Swimwear and sunscreen — the midday sun is still strong
Spring and autumn
- Summer clothes for the day, plus one long-sleeved layer for the evening
- A light scarf for desert dust
All year
- Your passport — needed for boat trips (port registration) and for checkpoints on road trips
- Closed shoes for the desert safari
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Some cash for tips; Egyptian pounds, US dollars and euros are widely accepted in tourist areas
- Something that covers shoulders and knees if you plan to visit a mosque or church
Our verdict
If you can choose, come in April, May, October or November. Summer is for people who want the warmest sea and don’t mind planning around the heat; winter is for sun-seekers escaping a cold home, who just need to keep a day or two flexible for the wind. Whatever month you pick, Sharm will be sunny — the only question is what time of day you go out.
