You’ve probably seen the photos. Endless blue horizons, neon-colored fish darting through coral, and tourists lounging under thatched umbrellas. It looks like eternal summer. But if you pack nothing but bikinis and board shorts for a January trip, you’re going to have a very chilly reality check once the sun dips behind the Sinai Mountains.
The weather in Egypt Sharm El Sheikh is famously reliable, sure. It’s a desert-meets-sea climate. Rainfall is so rare that locals practically treat a rain shower like a national holiday. However, "sunny" doesn't always mean "hot," and "winter" doesn't mean you can't swim. It's a bit more nuanced than the travel brochures suggest.
The Seasonal Breakdown: When to Actually Go
Honestly, the "best" time depends entirely on whether you want to tan, dive, or just avoid melting.
Spring (March to May)
This is arguably the sweet spot. By March, the winter bite has faded. Daytime highs hover around 25°C (77°F), creeping up to a toastier 30°C (86°F) in May. The water is still waking up, though. It’s around 22°C (72°F) in March, which is "refreshing" (read: slightly brisk) for a long snorkel.
One thing to watch out for? The Khamsin wind. It’s a hot, sandy breeze that occasionally blows in from the desert during spring. It can turn the sky a weird orange hue and coat everything in fine dust for a day or two.
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Summer (June to August)
It is hot. Like, really hot.
We’re talking 35°C to 40°C (95°F to 104°F) on a regular basis. If you’re a heat-seeker, you’ll love it. The Red Sea reaches a glorious 28°C (82°F), making it feel like you’re swimming in a warm bath. This is peak time for divers because you can stay underwater for an hour in a thin shorty wetsuit and never feel a shiver.
But if you aren't into intense UV, stay away from the sand between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The sun here doesn't play around.
Autumn (September to November)
Many regulars claim September and October offer the perfect weather in Egypt Sharm El Sheikh. The air starts to cool down to the low 30s, but the sea retains all that stored summer heat. It’s the most comfortable time for basically everything—boat trips, desert safaris, and alfresco dinners.
Winter (December to February)
This is "European Winter Escape" season. The sun is out for about 9 hours a day, and daytime temps are a lovely 21°C to 23°C (70°F to 73°F).
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But here’s the kicker: the wind.
Sharm can get quite breezy in the winter. Once the sun goes down, the desert air cools rapidly. Nighttime lows can drop to 13°C (55°F). You will see tourists in puffer jackets at night and swimsuits at noon. It’s a weird mix.
Let’s Talk About the Water
The Red Sea is the reason most people visit. Because it’s a deep, narrow basin, it holds its temperature remarkably well.
- August: 28°C / 82°F (Peak warmth)
- February: 21°C / 70°F (Peak "cool")
Even in the dead of winter, the water is warmer than the Mediterranean ever gets in June. If your hotel has a heated pool—and most of the big resorts like the Rixos or Four Seasons do—you can swim year-round. If they don't heat the pool, it will be freezing in January, even if the sun is shining. Always check the hotel's "pool heating" policy before booking a winter stay.
The Wind Factor: Nabq vs. Naama Bay
Location matters. The weather in Egypt Sharm El Sheikh isn't uniform across the whole resort area.
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Nabq Bay, located in the north near the airport, is notorious for being windier. In the summer, this is a godsend; it keeps the humidity feeling lower and provides the perfect conditions for kitesurfing. In the winter, however, that same wind can make coming out of the water after a swim feel like a polar plunge.
If you’re visiting in December or January, look for hotels in Naama Bay or Hadaba (near Ras Um Sid). These areas are more sheltered by the hills and tend to feel a few degrees warmer because they aren't as exposed to the northerly gusts.
Packing for the Desert Climate
You’ve got to think in layers.
- High Summer: Linen, loose cotton, and a ridiculous amount of SPF 50. Don't bother with "dressy" heavy fabrics.
- Winter Months: Bring a hoodie or a light down jacket for the evenings. Seriously. If you go on a "Stargazing" or "Bedouin Dinner" trip in the desert, you'll be shivering without one.
- The "Boat Fleece": Even in spring, the wind on a moving dive boat can be chilly once you’re wet. A light windbreaker or fleece is a pro move.
Realities of Rainfall
Does it rain? Barely.
The average rainfall for Sharm is about 7mm... per year.
When it does rain, usually in January or February, the city isn't really built for it. The roads can get slick, and the desert soil doesn't absorb it well, leading to brief "flash floods" in the wadis. It’s a spectacle, but it rarely lasts more than an hour.
Actionable Tips for Your Trip
- Check Pool Heating: If traveling between November and March, email your resort to confirm if the main pool is heated. "Sun-heated" is a marketing term for "cold."
- Book Diving for Autumn: If you want the best visibility and the warmest water without the 40°C land heat, October is your month.
- Respect the Noon Sun: In summer, plan your activities for early morning or late afternoon. Most locals take a siesta for a reason.
- Layer Up for Safaris: If you're heading into the Sinai desert for a quad bike tour, the temperature will be significantly lower than at the coast.
The weather in Egypt Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most consistent in the world, but it respects no one who underestimates the desert night or the summer sun. Choose your month based on your tolerance for heat, and you’ll have a world-class experience.
To get the most out of your stay, keep a close eye on the local wind forecasts if you plan on boating, as high winds can occasionally lead to port closures for small safari boats.