For most people the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh is spring or autumn, specifically April, May, October and November. The sea is comfortable, the air is warm without being punishing, and the boat trips to Ras Mohammed and Tiran run in good conditions. That said, the right month depends on whether you want to swim for hours, walk in the desert or avoid crowds.
The figures below are ranges, not promises. Weather changes from year to year, and the wind can turn a flat morning into a choppy afternoon. Use them to choose a season, then keep one day in your plan that you can move.
December to February: the cool season
Winter days in Sharm are mild and bright, a good time for walking, the desert and the Mount Sinai climb. Nights can feel cold, especially away from the hotel, and the summit of Mount Sinai is near freezing. The sea is at its coolest, roughly 21 to 23 degrees Celsius, so most people want a wetsuit for a long snorkeling session.
Think of the daily rhythm too. In the cool season the day starts slowly, the sun feels pleasant from late morning, and it drops quickly in the late afternoon. Plan a trip that ends before dark if you dislike the cold. Evening trips, such as the desert safari or the city tour, call for a jacket once the sun is down.
This is also the busiest part of the year around Christmas and New Year, so hotels fill early. If you travel in the first half of January or in February, you often find the resorts quieter. Wind can be strong on some winter days, and boats may not sail when the port authority closes the port.
If you want the sea for hours, December to February is the weakest part of the year, and the hotel pool may be the better swim. If you want the desert, the mountains and long walks, it is the best part. Match the season to the activity you care about most, rather than the other way round.
March to May: warming up
March can be breezy, and the sea is still cool. By April and May the sea warms and the air is hot but usually bearable. These are good months for the Ras Mohammed and Tiran boat days, for first-time snorkelers, and for families who want warm water without the peak summer heat. Easter weeks are busy, so book early.
June to September: hot and warm
Summer is hot. Daytime air is often in the high 30s Celsius, and the sea reaches its warmest, up to the high 20s in August. You will be in the water most of the day and happy about it. Desert trips run later in the day; the desert safari pick-up is an hour later in summer. Mid-day sightseeing, such as a city tour in the sun, is better left for the evening.
The long day trips are the hard part in summer. A coach or minibus ride to Cairo, Luxor or St Catherine is longer and more tiring in the heat, and the Mount Sinai climb at night is cooler than the daytime, which suits the season. Drink water constantly, wear a hat, and plan a rest in the afternoon.
October and November: the second best window
The sea is still warm from the summer, the air has cooled, and the light is good. It is a favorite time for divers and snorkelers. October is popular, so book ahead, and school vacations can bring crowds. By late November the nights begin to cool, and the water slowly falls toward winter temperatures.
Late autumn is also a good moment for the longer trips. The Mount Sinai night climb is cold at the top in any month, but in autumn the drive and the walk up are more comfortable than in the middle of summer. The days are shorter, so check the sunset time when you plan an evening trip.
Month-by-month at a glance
- January and February: coolest sea and nights, quieter resorts after the New Year, good for the desert and Mount Sinai.
- March: breezy, sea still cool.
- April and May: warm sea, comfortable air, good snorkeling conditions.
- June to September: very hot, warmest sea, best spent in or near the water.
- October and November: warm sea, cooler air, popular.
- December: cool and busy around Christmas and New Year.
Boat days and the wind
Wind decides more than the month. The 8-hour Ras Mohammed and White Island boat day and the Tiran Island boat day both sail from the jetty with a shared boat of up to 40 guests, and the guide can change stops when the sea is rough. Book early in your stay, and remember that sea trips stopped by the port authority are moved or refunded.
Plan with us
Best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh, month by month
Sharm El Sheikh month by month: sea temperature, wind, heat and crowds, and when boat trips to Ras Mohammed and Tiran work best.