When to visit Hurghada: a month-by-month guide to weather, sea and crowds

Ask anyone in Hurghada when the best time to visit is and you will usually get the same answer: whenever you can. The town sits on the Red Sea coast of Egypt’s Eastern Desert, it barely sees rain, and the sun shines on almost every day of the year. That is true, but it is not the whole story. The temperature of the air and the sea, the strength of the wind, the length of the day and the number of other visitors all change through the year, and they change what a holiday here feels like.

This guide walks through the year season by season, then month by month, and ends with practical advice on matching your dates to the excursions you most want to do. Figures are typical averages; any single week can be warmer, cooler or windier than the numbers suggest.

The short answer

If you want warm days, comfortable nights and a sea that is pleasant without a wetsuit, aim for April to early June or late September to November. These are the shoulder seasons: daytime temperatures sit roughly between 27°C and 33°C, the sea is between about 24°C and 28°C, and the town is busy without being crowded.

If you want the warmest sea and do not mind real heat, come in July to September. If you want a winter escape and are happy with a cooler sea and a jumper in the evening, December to March works well, especially for desert trips and long days to Luxor and Cairo.

Winter: December to February

Winter is the season Hurghada is famous for in northern Europe. While home is grey and wet, daytime temperatures here usually reach 21°C to 24°C, with long hours of sun. It is lovely weather for walking, sightseeing and lying by the pool in a sheltered spot.

There are two things to plan for. First, evenings and early mornings are cool: after sunset temperatures often drop to 10°C to 14°C, and in the desert they can feel colder still. Bring a warm layer for dinners outside and for any trip that starts before dawn. Second, the sea is at its coolest, typically around 21°C to 23°C. Many people still swim and snorkel happily, especially on calm, sunny days, but if you feel the cold, a short wetsuit or a long-sleeved rash vest makes a big difference.

Winter is also when the wind tends to be most noticeable. A steady northerly breeze is normal on this coast all year, and on some winter days it is strong enough to make boat trips bumpy. On the windiest days the harbour authorities can close the sea to small boats altogether. If your heart is set on a particular island trip, it is wise not to leave it until your last day, so there is room to move it if the weather turns.

Crowds peak around Christmas and New Year. Book flights, hotels and popular excursions early for those weeks. January and February are quieter and often excellent value.

Spring: March to May

Spring is, for many regulars, the sweet spot. The air warms quickly: March averages around 25°C, April around 29°C, May a little over 30°C. Nights become comfortable enough to sit outside in a T-shirt by April. The sea warms more slowly than the air, from around 22°C in March to about 25°C in May, so snorkelling gets more pleasant with every week.

The wind can still be lively in March and early April. Occasionally, a hot, dusty wind blows in from the desert in spring and reduces visibility for a day or two; it passes, but it is worth knowing about if you are planning photography trips.

Easter brings a short peak of European families, so book that week early. Otherwise, spring offers a very good balance of weather, sea and space.

Summer: June to August

Summer is hot. Daytime temperatures commonly reach 33°C to 36°C, and sometimes higher. Because the air is dry and there is usually a sea breeze, the coast feels more bearable than the same temperature would in a humid city, but the midday sun is strong and should be taken seriously.

The rewards are the sea and the long days. By August the water is around 28°C, warm enough to stay in for hours without feeling cold, and visibility on the reefs is often superb. Sunrise is early and sunset late, which gives you more usable daylight for morning boat trips and late-afternoon swims.

Two pieces of advice for summer visitors. Plan active excursions for the morning or late afternoon, and save the hottest hours for shade, a pool or the sea. And think carefully about inland trips: Luxor is hotter than Hurghada in summer, regularly passing 40°C. A day trip there is still possible, but it is demanding, and families with young children or anyone sensitive to heat may prefer to wait for a cooler month.

July and August coincide with European school holidays, so expect more families and higher prices in those weeks.

Autumn: September to November

Autumn is the season people tend to fall in love with. The sea stays warm long after the air begins to cool: in September and October it is often still 27°C to 28°C, and even in November it is usually around 25°C. Daytime temperatures ease from the low 30s in September to the mid-20s in November, and evenings become pleasant again.

For snorkelling and diving, this is arguably the best combination of the whole year: warm water, calm days, long visibility and comfortable temperatures on deck. It is also a good season for desert safaris and quad biking in the late afternoon, when the light turns gold and the heat has gone out of the day.

Month by month at a glance

• January: about 22°C by day, 10°C to 12°C at night, sea around 22°C. Quiet after New Year, good value, cool evenings.
• February: about 23°C, sea around 21°C to 22°C, the coolest water of the year. Often windy. Good for sightseeing and desert trips.
• March: about 25°C, sea around 22°C. Warming fast; occasional windy or dusty days.
• April: about 29°C, sea around 23°C to 24°C. Excellent all-round month; Easter is busy.
• May: about 32°C, sea around 25°C. Warm and settled, long days, before the summer peak.
• June: about 34°C, sea around 26°C. Hot, generally calm, good value before the school holidays.
• July: about 35°C, sea around 27°C. Hot and busy; plan trips early in the day.
• August: about 35°C, sea around 28°C. The warmest water; the busiest summer month.
• September: about 33°C, sea around 28°C. Still very warm; the sea is at its best.
• October: about 30°C, sea around 27°C. Many visitors’ favourite month.
• November: about 26°C, sea around 25°C. Comfortable days, pleasant evenings.
• December: about 23°C, sea around 23°C. Winter sun; very busy over the holidays.

Matching the season to your excursions

Snorkelling, diving and island days

Snorkelling is possible all year. For the most comfortable water, choose May to November. In winter, choose calm days, wear a rash vest or shorty wetsuit, and pick trips with long beach stops where you can warm up in the sun between swims. Book early in your stay so that a windy day does not cost you the trip.

Desert safaris

Quad biking, jeep tours and camel rides are at their best from October to April, when the desert is warm rather than scorching. In summer, choose afternoon or sunset departures, drink plenty of water and wear a scarf against dust. Evening Bedouin dinners are a highlight in winter, but bring a warm layer: the desert cools quickly after dark.

Luxor and Cairo

Long days to the ancient sites are most comfortable from October to April. Luxor in particular can be extremely hot from June to September. If summer is your only option, you will still see wonderful things, but go in with realistic expectations, bring a hat and refillable water, and accept that midday is for shade.

Water sports

Parasailing, jet skis and banana boats run all year, but calm, warm conditions make them more fun. Spring and autumn are ideal; summer mornings are good too.

Other things worth knowing when you choose dates

Ramadan. The holy month moves about eleven days earlier each year. In the resorts, hotels, restaurants and excursions carry on as usual, and many visitors find the evening atmosphere special. It is respectful to avoid eating and drinking ostentatiously in public places outside the tourist areas during daylight hours.

Daylight. Egypt’s days are shorter in winter than in summer, though never as short as in northern Europe. In December the sun sets in the late afternoon, which matters if you want long beach days or sunset trips.

Prices. The quietest weeks — early December, January, February outside holidays, June — usually bring the best hotel deals. Excursion prices change less with the season than hotel prices do, but booking ahead in busy weeks secures your spot on smaller boats and limited groups.

Our advice

There is no bad month to visit Hurghada, only different ones. If you love the sea, come between May and November. If you love history and the desert, come between October and April. If you want a little of everything without the heat or the crowds, aim for April, May, October or early November.

Whichever month you choose, plan your must-do sea trip early in the week, keep a warm layer for desert evenings in winter, take the summer sun seriously, and leave room in your plans for a lazy day. If you are unsure which trip suits your dates, send us a message with the days you are here and what you enjoy — we are happy to suggest a plan.