Best Time to Visit Hurghada, Month by Month

Best time to visit Hurghada, month by month

Sea warmth, wind, heat and crowds across the whole year, with the boat days that suit each season best and the weeks to avoid.

Discovery Tours Egypt editorsUpdated October 6, 20264 min readReviewed by Discovery Tours Egypt

In short

The best months for most visitors are March to May and October to November. Air temperatures are comfortable, the sea is warm enough to snorkel without a wetsuit for most people, and crowds are lighter than at Christmas and Easter. July and August are very hot, with sea temperatures around 28 to 30 degrees Celsius. December to February is mild in the day and cool at night, and the sea falls to about 21 to 23 degrees.

Hurghada has sunshine almost every day of the year, so the real choice is between heat, sea temperature and crowds.
Winter days are pleasant at about 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, but the sea is coolest from January to March and many people wear a thin wetsuit.
Summer air temperatures often reach the mid-30s or higher, while the sea is at its warmest, around 28 to 30 degrees.
The coast is windy for much of the year, and strong wind can stop boats leaving port on some days.
Boat trips are run all year, so you can snorkel in any month if you dress for the water.

For most visitors the best time to visit Hurghada is spring, from March to May, or autumn, from October to November. Days are warm without being punishing, the sea is comfortable, and the beaches are less packed than at Christmas or in the summer school vacation. If you want guaranteed warmth in the water, aim for September to November.

Hurghada sits in the desert on the Red Sea, so rain is rare and sunshine is almost constant. What changes through the year is how hot the day gets, how cold the water is, how hard the wind blows and how many other people are on the same reef. The sections below take these in turn, and the last one matches the season to a boat day.

Winter: December to February

Daytime temperatures are around 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, which suits sightseeing and walking, and sunbathing is possible on calm days. Nights can drop to the low teens. The sea is coolest now, around 21 to 23 degrees, so a thin wetsuit or rash vest makes long snorkeling stops more comfortable, particularly for children and anyone who feels the cold.

This is also high season for crowds. Christmas and New Year are the busiest weeks of the year, and hotels, flights and popular boat trips fill early. Sea conditions can be rougher in winter, and the port authority may close the port on stormy days. Sea trips stopped for weather are moved or refunded, but you will want spare days in your plan.

Spring: March to May

This is the sweet spot for many travelers. Air temperatures rise from the low 20s in March to the low 30s by late May, and the sea starts to warm from about 22 to 26 degrees. Wind is common in these months, which keeps the heat down on the beach and on the boat deck but can make the water choppier.

Easter and school vacation weeks bring a short surge in visitors. Outside those weeks, April and May are quiet enough that popular snorkeling spots do not feel crowded. It is a good season to combine beach days with a trip to Luxor, as Luxor is still comfortable before the summer heat arrives.

Summer: June to August

Hurghada is hot in summer, with daytime highs often in the mid-30s or above and warm nights. The sea is at its warmest, around 28 to 30 degrees, so snorkeling and diving need no extra insulation, and the water is a relief. The wind is usually steady from the north and helps the beach feel cooler.

July and August are the school-vacation peak for many European and Egyptian families, so beaches and boats are busy. Long inland day trips are harder in this weather. A trip to Luxor, where afternoons regularly pass 40 degrees, is much easier as the two-day overnight version with an early start in the valley.

Autumn: September to November

September is still hot, but the sea has had all summer to warm up and stays at its best. From October the air cools to a comfortable 28 to 32 degrees by day, falling towards the mid-20s in November. Crowds thin once the summer school break ends and rise again toward Christmas, which makes October and early November a favorite among people who return every year.

Wind and sea state

Wind matters more in Hurghada than the thermometer suggests. The coast is exposed to a steady northerly breeze for much of the year, which is why kitesurfing is popular here. A breeze makes a hot day bearable, but it also raises waves, and a rough morning can mean seasickness on a small boat.

If you get queasy, take a tablet before sailing, sit in the middle of the boat and look at the horizon. Strong wind occasionally leads the port authority to close the port. That can happen in any month, though stormy winter days are the most likely. Leave a spare day in your plan so a cancelled trip can be moved.

Which boat day for which season

December to February: the Paradise Island beach day is fine on calm days, but bring a wetsuit for the snorkel stops; the semi-submarine suits the cold months because you can stay dry.
March to May: the Dolphin House trip is comfortable in the warm, bright light, and the sea has warmed enough for longer swims.
June to August: choose a full boat day with plenty of swimming, such as Paradise Island, and keep a hat and reef-safe sunscreen on you.
September to November: this is the best window for any boat trip, as the water is warm and the air is kind.

The Dolphin House boat trip is an 8-hour day with two snorkeling stops and lunch on board, and Paradise Island is an 8-hour beach day with about three hours on the sand. Both can be booked online up to 48 hours before departure, with the current price on each trip page.

Plan with us

Best time to visit Hurghada, month by month

When to go to Hurghada: sea temperature, wind, heat and crowds for every season, plus which boat day suits each month of the year.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the hottest month in Hurghada?

July and August are the hottest, with daytime highs often in the mid-30s Celsius or above. The sea is also at its warmest then. If you travel in these months, plan outdoor activities for the morning and take a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.

Is the sea warm enough to swim in winter?

Yes, but it is cool. The sea is about 21 to 23 degrees Celsius from January to March, which is fine for a short swim and chilly for a long snorkel. Many people wear a thin wetsuit or rash vest, and children feel the cold sooner.

When is Hurghada least crowded?

April, May, late September, October and early November are quieter than the Christmas and New Year weeks, Easter and the July and August school vacation weeks. Weekday boats are usually less crowded than weekend ones in every season, so pick a midweek day if you can.

Is Hurghada windy?

Often, yes. Wind keeps the heat down and is why the area is popular with kitesurfers, but it can make the sea rough. On some days the port authority stops boats leaving. Those trips are moved to another date or refunded.

Which month is best for snorkeling?

The water is warmest from late summer into autumn, so September to November are very good for snorkeling. Spring is also pleasant. In winter you can still snorkel on a calm day, and the reef looks the same, but a thin wetsuit makes the stop far more comfortable.