When to Visit Sharm El Sheikh: Month by Month

The best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh, month by month

Sharm is dry and sunny all year, so the real choice is between mild winter days, hot summers and the school holidays you are tied to.

Egypt Discovery editorsUpdated 24 September 20263 min readReviewed by Egypt Discovery

In short

For most British holidaymakers the best months are October, November, March and April, when the days are warm without the summer heat and the sea is still comfortable for snorkelling. December to February is the winter sun choice, with pleasant days but cool evenings and a cooler sea. June to August is very hot, though the water is at its warmest. Direct flights from UK airports take roughly five to five and a half hours, so a week away is easy at any time of year.

Sharm El Sheikh has a desert climate with very little rain, so sunshine is reliable in every month of the year.
Winter days are warm enough for the beach but evenings are cool, and the sea is cooler too, so wetsuit hire is useful on boat days.
Summer air temperatures often reach the mid to high 30s Celsius, which makes boat days and the sea more comfortable than the desert.
School holidays in the UK fall in February, at Easter, in late May, through the summer and in October, and these are the busiest weeks.
Wind varies from day to day, and sea trips follow the sea state, so a boat day can be moved or refunded if the port authority stops sailings.

October, November, March and April suit most British holidaymakers best. The days are warm without being oppressive, the sea is still pleasant for snorkelling and the beaches are not at their busiest. December to February works if you want winter sun, and the summer is for people who like real heat and warm water. None of the months is wet, so the question is how hot you want to be.

Flying time matters less than you might think. Direct flights from UK airports take roughly five to five and a half hours, which is short enough for a week, a long weekend or a fortnight. The bigger limit is school holidays, which fix many families to the busiest and most expensive weeks. If your dates are flexible, aim for the shoulder months.

Winter, from December to February

Winter is the classic British escape. Daytime temperatures are typically in the low 20s Celsius, which is warm enough for the pool and the beach, but evenings are cool and the sea is at its coolest. It is a good time for days out: the Ras Mohammed boat day offers wetsuit rental in winter, and the Mount Sinai summit is close to freezing before dawn. Christmas, New Year and the February half-term are the busy weeks.

Spring, from March to May

March and April are warm and sunny, with the sea slowly warming up, and they are among the most comfortable months for sightseeing. Easter brings a busy fortnight. By May the days become hot and the late May half-term arrives with temperatures in the 30s. Spring can also be breezy, which affects the surface of the sea on some days.

Summer, from June to August

This is the hottest part of the year, with air temperatures often in the mid to high 30s Celsius, and the sea at its warmest. It is a good season for water-based days, because the reef trips are cooler than the desert. Avoid long walks in the middle of the day, and treat the Cairo and Luxor day trips as endurance tests, as the sun is strong. Families are tied to this period by the school holidays.

Autumn, from September to November

The sea is warmest in September and holds its heat into October. The air cools from the heat of summer to something comfortable by November, which makes autumn a strong choice for a mix of beach and trips. The October half-term is busy. Both boat days, the Ras Mohammed and White Island trip and the Tiran Island trip, run well in this season.

Shoulder months or peak weeks

If you can choose, the shoulder months give you the best balance. In March, April, early November and early December the weather is comfortable for both the beach and a full day out, the hotels are less crowded and the trips run with room to spare. The peak weeks, which are Christmas, the half-terms, Easter and the summer holidays, are livelier, and you should book everything earlier.

A useful rule is to match the trip to the season. Choose the boat days and the reef when the sea is warm, from May to November. Choose the desert, the mountain and the long road days when the air is cooler, from November to April. A Cairo or Luxor day in August is possible but demanding, and Mount Sinai in January needs real winter clothes.

Month by month at a glance

January and February: coolest of the year, best for a winter break, with a busy half-term week and wetsuits worth hiring for the sea.
March and April: warm days, comfortable sightseeing, a sea that is still cool early on, and a busy Easter fortnight.
May and June: getting hot, with the late May half-term, strong sun and shade needed on every outing.
July and August: hottest, sea at its warmest, school holidays and long days on the water.
September and October: the warmest sea of the year, air temperatures falling and the October half-term to plan around.
November and December: pleasant days, cooler evenings and a sea that is slowly cooling, with Christmas the busiest week of the year.

What the weather means for boat days

The sea decides whether a boat day runs. Sharm is a breezy coast and some days are windier than others. Both shared boat days, to Ras Mohammed with White Island and to Tiran Island, last about eight hours, leave at 08:00 and carry up to 40 guests. If the port authority stops sailings, the trip is moved or refunded. Most trips can be booked online up to 48 hours before.

Plan with us

The best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh, month by month

Winter sun, half-term weeks, summer heat and wind: a month by month guide to Sharm El Sheikh for British holidaymakers, with boat trip advice.

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Frequently asked questions

Which month is the hottest in Sharm El Sheikh?

July and August are the hottest, with air temperatures often in the mid to high 30s Celsius. Sea temperatures peak then too. If you visit in these months, plan trips for the morning, wear sun protection and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Is Sharm El Sheikh warm enough in winter?

Yes for the beach and pool, with daytime temperatures typically in the low 20s Celsius, but evenings turn cool and the sea is at its coolest. Pack a fleece, and consider hiring a wetsuit for boat days. Mount Sinai at night is close to freezing in winter.

When are the school holidays busiest?

UK school holidays at Christmas, in February, at Easter, in late May, through the summer and in October are the busiest. Hotels and flights fill early. If you can travel outside these weeks, March, April, November and early December are quieter.

Does wind spoil the snorkelling?

Wind can make the surface choppy and, on some days, the port authority stops sea trips. When that happens, we move your trip or refund it. Reef snorkelling is usually best on calm days, so ask us about the forecast if you are booking close to departure.

How long is the flight from the UK?

Direct flights from UK airports take roughly five to five and a half hours. That makes a week away practical at any time of year. Your exact flight time depends on the airline, the departure airport and the season, so check it when you book. Allow extra time for the transfer from the airport to your hotel.