The Red Sea is warm enough to dive all year, but "warm" changes a lot between February and August. Knowing the water temperature by month tells you which wetsuit to pack, when snorkelling is comfortable and what the sea is doing right now in October.
What is the Red Sea water temperature by month?
These are approximate surface averages in degrees Celsius, rounded, and the real figure varies by year, depth and time of day. Marsa Alam is usually a degree or two warmer than Hurghada in winter and spring.
- December to March: about 20 to 23°C in Hurghada and 22 to 24°C in Marsa Alam. The coolest water of the year.
- April and May: about 23 to 25°C in both. Warming quickly.
- June: about 26 to 27°C. The sea feels comfortable without a thick suit.
- July to September: about 27 to 28°C in Hurghada and 28 to 29°C in Marsa Alam. The warmest water of the year.
- October and November: about 25 to 27°C. Still warm, and cooling slowly.
Which wetsuit do you need for diving in the Red Sea?
This is general guidance, because everyone feels the cold differently. Choose the thickness for your coolest dive of the day, not the first one.
- December to March: a 5 mm full suit, and a hood or a vest underneath if you feel the cold or dive several times a day.
- April to June, and November: a 3 to 5 mm suit, depending on how you feel the cold.
- July to October: a 3 mm suit, or a shorty if you run warm. Many divers are happy in very little.
You do not need to buy anything first: equipment rental is available on our dive trips, so ask when you book.
When is the best time to snorkel in Hurghada?
Snorkellers float still at the surface and lose heat faster than divers, so the warmer months are the easy choice: roughly May to November, when most people are comfortable with a thin suit or none. In winter a 3 mm shorty or full suit makes a snorkelling day far more pleasant. Our Hurghada snorkelling guide covers the best reefs and boat trips.
What is the sea like in October and November?
Still warm, usually around 25 to 27°C, with the crowds of summer thinning out. It is also the start of the big-animal season offshore: oceanic whitetip sharks are most reliable from October to December at reefs such as Elphinstone. For the full seasonal picture, see our guide to the best time to dive the Red Sea.
Does the water get colder at depth?
Slightly. Surface averages hide the fact that deeper dives, night dives and long days with three dives can feel cooler, and wind on the boat deck makes you feel colder between dives. That is why a slightly thicker suit is often the more comfortable choice.
Plan your trip
Whatever the month, there is a good dive or snorkelling day to book. Browse the live trips below, or see how many days to book in our dive package guide.
