Sharm El-Sheikh is what you make it. Some see pristine beaches and cold drinks, others see lush reefs and colourful fish. Some come for the food and the nightlife, others escape to the desert and the mountains. But, what is the best time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt?
Today, we are taking a look at Sharm El-Sheikh’s climate to answer the question ‘What is the best time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt?’. We will be looking at the best time to visit for holiday-goers, diving enthusiasts, desert explorer and budget travelers and reveal some of the best hotels to stay at this winter.
Key Takeaways
- Winter (Dec-Feb) is popular for sightseeing, desert safaris, and mild temperatures but can be crowded in December.
- Spring (Mar-May) and fall (Sep-Nov) offer the best weather for beach relaxation, diving, and outdoor activities with fewer crowds.
- Summer (Jun-Aug) is very hot with temperatures over 40°C, making it ideal for budget travelers who prefer fewer tourists and lower prices.
- Diving season runs from spring to fall, with best visibility and conditions in fall; early morning and night dives are recommended in summer.
Table of Contents
Where to Stay in Sharm El-Sheikh in Winter 2026
Planning your winter vacation on the Red Sea? These are the best hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh, from budget stays to beach retreats:
Best for | Name | Prices (Winter 2026) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Budget | Turquoise Beach Hotel | from $ 146 per night | |
Diving | Camel Dive Club | from $ 302 per night | |
Activities | Grand Oasis Resort | from $ 501 per night | |
Beach | Baron Palms | from $ 517 per night |
How to Pick the Best Time to Visit for Your Trip
In many ways, Shark El-Sheikh is an evergreen tourist destination. It barely ever rains, temperatures beat continental European temperatures on any given day and diving conditions are favourable year round.
Instead, think about what it is that you want to do to find the best time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh:
- Beach Relaxation: If you are eying Sharm El-Sheikh for your next beach holiday, you want to see high, yet bearable air temperatures and warm water temperatures.
- Scuba Diving: If you are planning your next scuba trip, diving conditions such as visibility, winds, currents and marine life also play a role alongside air and water temperatures.
- Cities & Nightlife: Sharm El-Sheikh is not all sand and water. The city’s nightlife has lots to offer, too, especially in summer when the nights are relatively warm and Egyptian are on holiday, too.
- Desert & Mountains: If you want to get both water sports and other outdoor activities under one hat, aim for a seasons that allows for desert safaris and hiking tours as well.
- Budget Travel: Don’t worry so much about temperatures ranges and balanced activities. Instead, wait for prices to plunge and make do with whatever Sharm El-Sheikh throws at you (heat, mostly).
First, find out what it is that you want to do on your trip to Sharm El-Sheikh, then start looking into the best time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh to make your activities happen.
What’s the Best Time to Visit Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt?
Are you looking for endless sunshine, pristine beaches, lush marine life or desert adventures? On the Sinai Peninsula, you can find it all, if you just come at the right time.
According to your holiday plans, this is the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt:
The Escape from European Winter: The Winter Months
Starting with the most obvious one, the winter months in Sharm El-Sheikh get especially busy. This is not necessarily because the weather conditions are the best of the year, but rather because they are so much better than in European winter.
From December to February, Sharm El-Sheikh experiences average daytime air temperatures ranging from 21°C to 23 °C, while water temperatures range from 21°C to 24°C.
In winter, you can expect warm days, a refreshing breeze and comfortable water temperatures for snorkelling and scuba diving, while nights can get chilly at times. Beyond water activities, winter is best for exploring Sharm El-Sheikh and nearby cities, joining desert safaris and hiking in the Sinai mountains.
Not all winter months are equal though. The tourist crowds are the biggest in December, around holiday season in Europe. Around this period, hotel prices in Sharm El-Sheikh surge sharply, just to plummet again in January and February once the Christmas rush fizzles out.
The Winter Months are Best for…
- Sightseeing in the city
- Desert safaris (by ATV, camel and foot)
- Hiking tours (e.g. to Mount Sinai)
The Best Weather for Beach Holidays: Fall and Spring
Bringing with them the right mix of warm days and pleasant nights, the spring and fall months are some of the busiest in Sharm El-Sheikh just after the Christmas rush. Thanks to the weather, this is the best time to visit for those looking to relax on the beach, go on scuba diving trips and join desert safaris.
From March to May, and then again from September to November, you can expect comfortable average temperatures from 25°C to 35°C and equally comfortable water temperatures of around 25°C.
Unsurprisingly, this attracts the large crowds in Sharm El-Sheikh’s resorts, with numbers peaking around European holiday seasons, such as the Easter holidays and later on the Fall holidays. While these months are high tide for holiday-goers, they also offer amazing opportunities for divers visiting the Red Sea.
In fall, visibility in the Red Sea is the best, attracting swarms of scuba divers. To make the best of the Red Sea’s dive sites while avoiding the tourist masses, we recommend divers to stay outside of the tourist centers in Sharm El-Sheikh and to stay in Nabq, Dahab or even Nuweiba instead.
The Fall and Spring Months are Best for…
- Relaxation on the beach
- Scuba diving trips (at daytime)
- Desert safaris(by ATV and camel)
The Best Conditions for Scuba Diving: Spring to Fall
While holiday tourist numbers in Sharm El-Sheikh peak twice a year, in spring and fall, scuba diving season generally stretches all the way from spring to fall, also including the hotter summer months.
From March to November, scuba divers enjoy some of the best diving conditions in Red Sea. Air and water temperatures are friendly, with 3 mm full-body wet suits, and in summer even shorties, being sufficient. Visibility gets increasingly better as the year progresses and peaks in fall.
In the height of summer, air temperatures may rise beyond 40°C and sea temperatures beyond 28°C, making scuba diving at daytime increasingly treacherous. During these months, resort to diving in the early morning and at night, while limiting dives in the midday sun to protect yourself from the heat.
For the best combination of good diving conditions and fewer crowds, plan your scuba diving trip for the shoulder seasons of mid-March and mid-November. During these periods, the main surges of tourism are just starting to build up or die off, giving you enough room to explore Sharm El-Sheikh’s dive sites in peace.
The Scuba Diving Season ist Best for…
- Favourable visibility in the Red Sea
- Prime diving conditions in spring and fall
- Early morning and night dives in summer
The Cheapest Time: The Summer Months
In complete opposition to the winter months, summer in Sharm El-Sheikh generally moves much slower. Tourist numbers on the Red Sea dwindle as daytime temperatures soar past 40°C on a regular basis and water temperatures rise up to 28°C.
In the scorching heat of June, July and August, you may find yourself confined to the shade of your sun bed in your resort hotel, with the temperatures on the beach becoming increasingly hard to bear, while outdoor activities such as scuba diving, desert safaris and hiking are mostly off-limits.
If you are eager to get out to explore, you need to either get up early morning to join a scuba diving expedition or stay up late to explore Sharm El-Sheikh’s nightlife.
The extreme heat does have one big advantage, though. Hotel prices in Sharm El-Sheikh drop to the lowest levels of the year between June and August. So, if you are on the lookout for some budget deals, and able to withstand the intense heat, the summer months in Sharm El-Sheikh might just be your thing.
The Summer Months are Best for…
- Budget travelers
- Beach and pool relaxation
- Early morning and night scuba diving
The Best Things to Do in Sharm El-Sheikh by Season
Whatever season you will be heading to Sharm El-Sheikh in, we can guarantee that there will be something to do, whether it is relaxing on the beach, swimming with schools of fish or hiking Mount Sinai.
These are the best things to do in Sharm El-Sheikh, according to the seasons you are visiting in:
Spring and Fall: Beach Relaxation and Desert Safaris
Are you coming to Sharm El-Sheikh in spring or fall? Congratulations, you will essentially enjoy the prefect conditions to do anything your heart desires. Water conditions are ideal for all sorts of water sports, the heat is ideal for relaxing on the beach and the desert climate is not too hot for safari tours yet.
Between sun beds on the beach and ATVs tours in the desert, not the weather, but the other tourists are your biggest threat. Book experiences in advance to ensure availability and start early to avoid crowds.
Summer: Scuba Diving in the Egyptian Red Sea
During the summer months, less tourists flock to Sharm El-Sheikh due to the weather conditions becoming increasingly hard to deal with. In turn, you get cheaper hotels and discounts on tours.
Due to intense heat, you need to be strategic planning your activities in and around Sharm El-Sheikh. Book early morning scuba diving trips and stay close to Sharm to get as much underwater time as possible. Close to Sharm El-Sheikh, Ras Mohammed National Park boasts good visibility and large fish schools.
Winter: Summiting Mount Sinai Overnight
While Sharm El-Sheikh generally experiences mild winters, water sports take the back seat from December to February, while desert safaris and hiking tours peak in popularity.
In the Sinai mountains, the Mount Sinai hike is the most popular winter activity, including an overnight summit hike of Mount Sinai and an early-morning visit to Saint Catherine’s Monastery on the mountain’s foot. Book your Mount Sinai tour in advance and bring a jacket and sturdy shoes along with your swimming shorts.
Where to Stay in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt (Winter 2026)
Just as the best time to visit Sharm El-Sheikh, the best hotel in Sharm depends on what you want from your trip.
From beach holidays to diving adventures, these hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh are the best for you:
- Budget Hotels: For budget travelers, the Turquoise Beach Hotel offers affordable rates year round. Starting from $ 146 a night, this resort hotel offers clean private rooms, all-inclusive meals and its own private beach. In summer, you might be able to get the same place at a fraction of the price.
- Dive Center: If you are coming to Sharm El-Sheikh primarily for diving, the Camel Dive Club is your best shout. The Camel Dive Club in Naama Bay, is not only located right next to some dives, but also offers the perfect staging ground for your diving expeditions with its own dive center.
- Mid-Range: The perfect destination for holiday-goers and beach lovers, the Grand Oasis Resort offers high-quality amenities, poolside entertainment, a private beach and it’s own jetty for exploring the marine life of the nearby coral reef, starting from $ 188 per night in winter.
- Luxury: Strictly for adults (16+), the Baron Palms offers an elevated, private resort experience even in the heights of winter, when Sharm El-Sheikh gets the busiest. From varied buffet dinners, a la carte restaurants to above-par cocktails, the Baron Palms has it all to spoil you during your stay.
Name | Prices (Winter 2026) | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|
Budget | Turquoise Beach Hotel | starting from $ 146 per night | |
Dive Center | Camel Dive Club | starting from $ 302 per night | |
Mid-Range | Grand Oasis Resort | starting from $ 501 per night | |
Luxury | Baron Palms | starting from $ 517 per night |
The Bottom Line
In a nutshell, you can visit Sharm El-Sheikh all year round. If you are planning your trip with a specific activity in mind, however, you should pay attention to tourist numbers, temperatures and diving conditions.
With our recommendations, we are confident that you will find just the right time slot to make your Sharm El-Sheikh trip happen that way you imagine it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hottest month in Sharm?
The summer months from June to August are the hottest months in Sharm El-Sheikh. In summer, air temperatures in Sharm El-Sheikh regularly soar past 40°C, while water temperatures come close to 30°C, peaking around mid-August.
How many days are enough for Sharm El Sheikh?
For a short beach getaway, 3 to 4 days in Sharm El-Sheikh can be enough already. If you plan to go on diving expeditions or desert tours, however, you should plan with 5 to 7 days instead, to give you time for both your activities and relaxing on the beach.
Which is the cheapest month to visit Egypt?
Usually, the summer months from June to August are cheaper in Sharm El-Sheikh, since the scorching heat deters many tourist. During the summer months, you can reserve hotels in Sharm El-Sheikh at a fraction of the price and get discounts on tours.
Can you swim in Sharm El Sheikh in December?
Yes, you can absolutely swim in Sharm El-Sheikh in December. In the winter months, water temperatures in Sharm El-Sheikh range from 21°C to 24°C. In winter, Sharm enjoys warm weather at day and cooler temperatures at night. So, don’t forget to bring along a light jacket for dinner.
Hey! We are glad you are curious about travelling the Middle East.
We are Nancy & Elias.
Over four years of backpacking and digital nomading made us fall in love with the Middle East. We have lived on the Red Sea coast in Egypt, lived in a Bedouin Camp in Jordan and travelled 6+ Middle Eastern countries overland.
As we continue to travel, we share our battle-tested travel advice on this blog, from travel reports and transfer guides to accommodation recs and saving hacks.
