When is the best time to dive Hurghada?
A month-by-month guide to water temperature, visibility, marine life, and crowds in the Egyptian Red Sea — and which months we'd actually choose if we could only dive Hurghada once.
The honest answer
Hurghada is a year-round dive destination — there is no bad month. Water temperature ranges from 21°C in February to 29°C in August, visibility is consistently 20-30 metres, and the wind tends to be more predictable than in many tropical destinations. That said, there are real differences between seasons, and if you're flying a long way you should know what you're getting.
Spring (March – May)
Our favourite season. Water warming from 22 to 25°C, light winds, the manta and eagle ray season at Abu Ramada, and reefs that haven't yet seen the summer crowds. Pack a 5 mm wetsuit for early March, a 3 mm by May.
Summer (June – September)
Warmest water (27-29°C), longest daylight, calmest sea. The downside: higher crowds and Egyptian summer heat (40°C+ on land). Bring serious sun protection. The best dive months for liveaboards to the southern Red Sea (Brothers, Daedalus, St John's) are also in this window.
Autumn (October – November)
The quiet sweet spot. Water still 26-27°C, lighter crowds, and the start of the whaleshark and oceanic whitetip seasons further south. Most years November is the best diving month of the year — and most divers don't know it.
Winter (December – February)
The coolest months. Water drops to 21-23°C and a few days each month bring north-westerly winds that limit access to the more exposed sites. On the upside, the hard-coral spawning event happens in winter, and the nearshore reefs are at their absolute clearest. Bring a 5 mm + hood.