Diving the Red Sea in Winter (December–February)
грудень–лютий is a comfortable time to dive Egypt’s Red Sea. The sea averages 22.4°C at Хургада and 22.7°C at Марса-Алам; days reach 22°C and mornings are about 15°C. About 52% of days at Хургада are calm enough for smooth boat trips — calmer than the yearly average (41%). Rain is rare. Figures are averages for 2016–2024.
грудень–лютий at a glance
Хургада
Month by month →Wetsuit: Костюм 5–7 мм, капюшон і рукавички
Марса-Алам
Month by month →Wetsuit: Костюм 5–7 мм, капюшон і рукавички
Month by month
Averages 2016–2024. A typical year, not a forecast.
| Month | Хургада: Море °C | Хургада: Повітря | Хургада: calm | Марса-Алам: Море °C | Марса-Алам: Повітря | Марса-Алам: calm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| грудень | 23.6 | 23° / 16° | 65% | 23.7 | 24° / 18° | 63% |
| січень | 22.5 | 21° / 14° | 52% | 22.7 | 22° / 15° | 54% |
| лютий | 21.2 | 22° / 14° | 38% | 21.6 | 23° / 16° | 38% |
What to expect
- ✓Water around 22.4°C at Хургада: Костюм 5–7 мм, капюшон і рукавички is the usual choice.
- ✓52% calm days at Хургада and 52% at Марса-Алам; wind, not rain, is the usual reason a trip changes.
- ✓Mornings are about 15°C at Хургада: bring a warm layer and a towel robe for the ride back.
- ✓Rain is rare: about 0.4 day a month at Хургада, 0.2 at Марса-Алам.
What to pack
- •A warm layer and a towel robe or poncho for the boat — the ride back after a dive is the coldest part of the day.
- •A wetsuit to suit the water: Костюм 5–7 мм, капюшон і рукавички at Хургада, Костюм 5–7 мм, капюшон і рукавички at Марса-Алам. Centres rent suits.
- •Sun protection still matters on deck: a rash vest, hat and reef-safe sunscreen.
- •A seasickness tablet an hour before departure if you are sensitive — breezy days make the crossing livelier.
Dive trips and courses in Хургада
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Dive trips and courses in Марса-Алам
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Frequently asked questions
Can you dive in the Red Sea in грудень–лютий?
Yes — the Red Sea has no closed season. In грудень–лютий the sea is about 22.4°C at Хургада and 22.7°C at Марса-Алам, with 52% calm days at Хургада.
What wetsuit do I need in грудень–лютий?
At 22.4°C (Хургада) the usual choice is Костюм 5–7 мм, капюшон і рукавички; at 22.7°C (Марса-Алам) Костюм 5–7 мм, капюшон і рукавички. Feeling the cold is personal — if you chill easily, go one step thicker.
Is the sea calm in грудень–лютий?
About 52% of days at Хургада and 52% at Марса-Алам have waves under 0.9 m and wind under 15 knots — calmer than the yearly average. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons.
Hurghada or Marsa Alam in грудень–лютий?
The sea is warmer at Марса-Алам (22.4°C at Хургада, 22.7°C at Марса-Алам) and calmer at Марса-Алам (52% against 52% of days). Both dive all year; Marsa Alam is the quieter, more remote base, Hurghada has the wider choice of trips and sites.
Do boat trips run in грудень–лютий?
On most days, yes. Strong wind and swell are the usual reason a trip is moved, delayed or cancelled — the captain and the port authority decide on the day. Today’s conditions and a 7-day outlook are on our diving-conditions page.
Data: Open-Meteo historical weather & marine APIs, 2016–2024 (CC BY 4.0). Averages for the area, not a reading at each reef. Open-Meteo.com
