Hurghada gives you sun on most days of the year, so the best time to go depends on what you can tolerate. If you want a warm winter break in the middle of a British January, go from December to February. If you want swimming without suffering, go in April, May, October or November.
The figures below are typical ranges rather than forecasts, and a single week can vary. What does not vary much is the pattern: dry air, almost no rain, a steady wind off the north, and a sea that cools and warms with the seasons.
Winter, December to February
Daytime temperatures are usually around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, and evenings feel cool. The sea sits at roughly 21 to 24 degrees, so swimming is pleasant for hardy people, and snorkelling for an hour or two is easier with a thin top. This is the main season for UK visitors, and Christmas and the February half-term are the busiest and most expensive weeks.
Spring, March to May
March can be changeable, with strong winds and a few overcast days. April and May are warm to hot, the sea passes 23 degrees, and Easter and the late-May half-term bring the crowds. Spring is also the windiest part of the year on this coast, which suits kite surfers and is less kind to boat trips, so keep a flexible day.
Summer, June to September
Expect 35 to 40 degrees in the afternoon and a sea close to 28 or 29 degrees. The water is the warmest of the year and the island days are at their best. The cost is heat on land: desert trips run later in the afternoon, and the Luxor day is a hard day. Families with school-age children travel in this window because they have little choice.
Autumn, October and November
October is a comfortable month. The heat has eased, the sea is still around 27 or 28 degrees, and the October half-term fills the hotels. By November the evenings need a layer and the sea cools slowly, so it is a good time for both beach and trips.
Wind and the sea
Hurghada gets a northerly wind for much of the year. On the beach it is a pleasant breeze in summer and a chill in winter. At sea it makes the water choppy, and on rough days the port authority stops sailings. Kite surfers value it. Boat guests and anyone prone to seasickness should expect the odd rough day, and plan a spare one.
Which month for which holiday
- Warm-water swimming: May, June, September and October, when the sea is at its warmest.
- Cooler sightseeing: December to March, especially for the Luxor and Cairo trips.
- Busiest weeks: Easter, late May, late July to early September, late October and Christmas.
- Gentlest heat for walking: November, and then February and March.
Land trips follow the opposite logic to sea trips. Luxor and Cairo are most comfortable from November to March, when temperatures at the temples are mild. In July and August Luxor can pass 40 degrees by early afternoon. If summer is your only option, choose the overnight to Luxor, with its early start at the Valley of the Kings.
Sea temperature matters more than the air if you plan to snorkel. In February the water sits at around 21 or 22 degrees, which is fine for a swim and cool after an hour of snorkelling. By May it is warmer than 23, and in September and October it holds close to 28. If you feel the cold, pick a later month or take a thin wetsuit.
Booking early helps more than choosing the perfect week. Flights from UK airports and rooms in the popular hotels fill first for the half-terms and Christmas, and prices rise with them. A week outside those dates, such as early November or the second half of January, is often calmer, with the same sun.
Matching trips to the season
- Dolphin House snorkelling trip: most comfortable when the sea is warmer, from about April to November.
- Paradise Island beach day: any month, but the sunbeds and shallow water are most enjoyable from late March to November.
- Private boat charter: useful in winter too, because you choose the stops and can stay out of the wind.
- Semi-submarine trip: a good winter choice, as you view the reef without getting cold.
Wind is the factor to plan around. When it is strong, the port authority can stop sailings for the day, and the trip is moved or refunded. Put your boat day near the start of your week. Check the current trip details before you book.
Plan with us
When is the best time to visit Hurghada?
Month by month for British holidaymakers: winter sun, half-term weeks, summer heat, sea temperatures and wind, with the boat days that suit each season.