Conditions

Red Sea water temperature, month by month

Hurghada's water swings from around 21°C in February to 30°C in August — a bigger range than a lot of divers expect from a “warm water” destination. A 5mm wetsuit covers most of the year; a 7mm or drysuit is worth bringing December through March if you run cold. Visibility and pelagic odds shift by season too, but there's no genuinely bad month to dive the Red Sea.

By 71 Guardians · Published 04 Aug 2026

Red Sea water temperature, month by month

Water temperature by month

Jan–Feb 21–22°C · 5–7mm wetsuit

Jun–Jul 27–29°C · 3mm wetsuit or shorty

Aug 29–30°C · shorty or rash guard

Dec 23–24°C · 5mm wetsuit

These are surface temperatures for the Hurghada area — expect a degree or two cooler at depth, especially on wrecks like the Thistlegorm where thermoclines are common below 20m. Full range across the year: Mar 22–23°C (5mm), Apr 24–25°C (5mm), May 26–27°C (3–5mm), Sep–Oct 27–28°C (3mm), Nov 25–26°C (5mm). We stock 3mm and 5mm wetsuits for rental year-round — if you're diving December through March and know you run cold, bring your own 7mm or a drysuit.

Why it's cooler than you'd think

The Red Sea sits between two deserts, so air temperature and water temperature aren't as linked as you'd expect — a 35°C day in February can still mean a genuinely cold dive. Wind also plays a role: the northern Red Sea gets stronger, more consistent wind in winter, which mixes cooler water up from depth.

Does the season affect visibility and marine life too?

Loosely, yes. Visibility tends to be best from April through November, when winds are calmer and plankton bloom less. Winter (December–February) can bring shorter bursts of lower visibility after wind events, but also better odds of pelagics like oceanic whitetips passing through cooler water.