You can swim in Egypt year-round — the Red Sea never drops below +20°C even in January. But between a windy winter +20°C and a calm autumn +28°C lies a difference that determines whether you come home tanned or with a cold.

Egypt is one of the few destinations where beach season never closes. But "you can swim" and "it's comfortable to vacation" are different things. Winter wind, summer inferno, and spring sandstorms split the year into periods, each suited to its own type of trip.

January–February: Swimming — Yes; Sunbathing — Depends on Luck

The coldest months. Air on the Red Sea coast runs +20–23°C during the day, +10–14°C at night. Water: +20–22°C in Hurghada, +21–23°C in Sharm.

Swimming is possible, and many people do it — the water is warmer than the air, and while you're in the sea, it's comfortable. The trouble starts when you get out: wind at +20°C air temperature chills a wet body instantly. It feels like stepping out of a shower into an unheated room.

Sharm handles winter better than Hurghada: the Sinai mountains block the wind, so at the same thermometer reading, the perceived temperature runs 3–5 degrees higher. Hurghada sits on an open coastline, and winter winds of 6–10 m/s turn +20°C into a bone-chilling +13–15°C.

The winter format: swim before lunch (when the sun is highest and wind is weakest), then a heated pool, excursions, or spa in the afternoon. Evenings call for jeans and a sweater.

March: Warming Up, With a Catch

Air at +24–27°C, water at +22–23°C. Noticeably warmer than February. Swimming is more comfortable, and stepping out of the sea no longer leaves you shivering.

The catch is the khamsin. From March through May, a hot dry wind blows in from the desert, carrying sand. A sandstorm can last a day or two: the sky turns yellow, visibility drops, sand gets into eyes, ears, and equipment. On days like that, the beach is off the table.

Between khamsin episodes, the weather is excellent. Sunny, warm, the sea gradually warming up. March in Egypt is a gamble — but one with good odds.

April–May: Warming Up Before Summer

In April, air runs +28–30°C, water +23–25°C. The heat isn't extreme yet, wind eases (khamsin becomes less frequent), and the sea warms to comfortable levels. Many consider April one of the best months — warm, but not scorching.

May brings temperatures of +30–34°C, water at +25–27°C. Genuine summer. The sea is ideal for extended swimming. The beach is already hot, but still tolerable. Prices run lower than winter — low season begins. For anyone who handles heat well, it's the optimal balance of weather and price.

June–August: The Furnace

Three months when Egypt shows its most extreme side.

  • June. Air at +34–37°C, water at +26–28°C. Hot, but the dry desert air makes the heat more bearable than Thailand's humid +33°C. The beach is comfortable before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m.
  • July–August. The peak. Air at +37–42°C, reaching +45°C in Luxor and Aswan. Water at +28–29°C — like a warm bath, no longer refreshing. UV levels are at their maximum; you can burn in 15 minutes.

Summer Egypt suits people who:

  • Handle dry heat well.
  • Structure their day as "beach in the morning — pool and room during the day — beach in the evening."
  • Want minimum prices — summer on the Red Sea runs 30–50% cheaper than winter.
  • Come for diving — underwater is comfortable early in the morning regardless of the heat above.

Summer Egypt does not suit families with small children, older travelers, or anyone planning excursions: Cairo, Luxor, and the pyramids at +45°C isn't sightseeing — it's survival.

September: The Start of the Best Stretch

September is the turning point. The heat begins retreating: air at +32–35°C, water at +27–28°C — the annual peak. The sea is still at its warmest while the air no longer scorches.

From the second half of the month, velvet season begins: temperature drops to +30–32°C, evenings turn pleasant, excursions become manageable. Prices haven't yet risen to winter's peak.

October–November: The Perfect Window

Two months that seasoned travelers consider the best for Egypt.

October air warms to +28–30°C, water to +26–27°C. Summer heat has departed, and the winds haven't started. The sea is warm and calm, underwater visibility at its maximum.

Sunbathing, swimming, sightseeing — all in one day, without the "before ten a.m." schedule.

In November, temperature holds around +25–28°C, water at +25–26°C. Slightly cooler, but still comfortable. High season begins, prices climb, but December's peak is still far off. For anyone wanting warmth without overpaying, it's the best time of year.

Sharm or Hurghada — Which to Choose by Season

The gap between the two resorts is more noticeable in winter than in summer.

  • In winter (December–February) — Sharm. Mountains block the wind, subjectively 3–5°C warmer. The safer bet for a winter beach vacation.
  • In spring and autumn (March–May, September–November) — the difference is minimal. Both resorts are equally good.
  • In summer (June–August) — both are equally hot. Hurghada is a bit windier, Sharm a bit muggier (the mountains trap the heat). Hurghada is cheaper; Sharm has better reefs.
  • Marsa Alam — farther south than either, water a degree or two warmer in winter. Pristine reefs, few tourists. The downside: more modest infrastructure and a long airport transfer.

The Best Dates for Diving and Snorkeling

The Red Sea is one of the best places in the world for diving, and its season doesn't align with beach season.

The best diving window is October–November and March–April. Water is warm (+24–27°C), visibility at its maximum (20–30 meters), currents moderate. During these months, the reefs draw Napoleon wrasse, turtles, rays, and barracuda.

In winter, visibility is good, but water sits at +21–22°C. A 3–5mm wetsuit is needed. Fine for comfortable diving; a bit cool for mask-and-snorkel snorkeling.

In summer, water runs +28–29°C — no wetsuit needed. But visibility suffers: plankton multiplies in the warm water, dropping clarity to 10–15 meters.

Which Month to Choose

Want ideal weather for the beach and sightseeing — October or April. Want warm sea without extreme heat — May or September. Want to escape the Russian winter — November or March. Want the cheapest possible trip — June or January. Want diving in the best conditions — October–November.

And if you have to pick just one month — October. The sea is at its annual peak of warmth, the air no longer scorches, the winds haven't arrived yet, prices aren't at their ceiling, and the entire day — from sunrise to sunset — belongs to you, not the air conditioner.