Hurghada weather, month by month
Hurghada has a desert climate, dry and sunny all year with almost no rain. According to Weather Spark averages, afternoons range from 21°C in January to 36°C in July and August, and the sea from 22°C in February and March to 28°C in August. So you can swim in every month; what changes is the heat of the air and the wind.
Best time to visit Hurghada
October, November, March and April give the best balance, with 25 to 31°C in the afternoon and the sea between 22 and 27°C, pleasant on a boat and in the desert alike; summer is made for the sea, winter for Luxor and days on land.
There's no bad season here, only different plans. A snorkeller will aim for September or October, with the sea at 27°C. Someone hooked on ancient Egypt will prefer January, when Luxor can be explored without melting. A kitesurfer watches the wind more than the thermometer.
The 12 months at a glance
| Month | High | Low | Sea | Rain | Average wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C | 13°C | 23°C | 0.9 mm | 19 km/h |
| February | 23°C | 13°C | 22°C | 0.5 mm | 19 km/h |
| March | 25°C | 16°C | 22°C | 0.6 mm | 20 km/h |
| April | 29°C | 19°C | 23°C | 0.4 mm | 19 km/h |
| May | 32°C | 23°C | 24°C | 0.2 mm | 20 km/h |
| June | 35°C | 26°C | 26°C | 0 mm | 23 km/h |
| July | 36°C | 28°C | 27°C | 0 mm | 22 km/h |
| August | 36°C | 28°C | 28°C | 0 mm | 23 km/h |
| September | 34°C | 26°C | 27°C | 0 mm | 23 km/h |
| October | 31°C | 22°C | 27°C | 1.1 mm | 20 km/h |
| November | 27°C | 18°C | 26°C | 1.2 mm | 18 km/h |
| December | 23°C | 14°C | 24°C | 0.5 mm | 18 km/h |
historical averages. Any given week can differ.
Hurghada weather in October
Hot, dry and sunny: highs slide from about 32°C in early October to 29°C at the end, nights from 24 to 20°C, and the sea stays around 27°C, one of the best months of the year for swimming and snorkelling.
Early October still feels like summer; late October already feels like the tail of the season, cooler at night. Sunset moves from about 6.30pm at the start of the month to about 5pm at the end, partly because Egypt switches to winter time on the night of 29 to 30 October 2026. From the UK, Egypt is two hours ahead for most of the month, three hours between 25 and 29 October.
Hurghada weather in November
Still mild: about 27°C in the afternoon on average, 18°C at night, and the sea at 26°C, with hardly any rain; swimming stays lovely, and a jumper is a must in the evening and on deck.
It's the month to escape the first grey weeks back home. Warm enough for the beach, cool enough for the desert at any hour.
Hurghada weather in December
Around 23°C in the afternoon, 14°C at night, sea at 24°C: mild and dry, still swimmable at the warmest hours, and ideal for quad biking, horse riding and Luxor.
The sun sets around 5pm local time, so desert trips start earlier in the afternoon. For snorkelling, a neoprene top makes long sessions comfier.
January to March
The heart of winter: 21 to 25°C in the afternoon, 13 to 16°C at night, the sea between 22 and 23°C, and sunshine almost every day; the right season for culture trips and days on land.
In January and February the sea hits its lowest point of the year, which is still warmer than the English Channel in August. Northern Europeans know it: this is their high season. Pack a proper layer for the evenings and the dawn departures to Luxor.
April to September
April and May are warm without excess (29 to 32°C); from June to September the air climbs to 34 to 36°C and the sea reaches 26 to 28°C, so you live at sea in the morning, siesta in the afternoon and head to the desert at sunset.
Dry air makes these temperatures easier than they sound, and the north wind blows hard in summer, up to 23 km/h on average. Drink before you're thirsty, and keep desert outings for the end of the day.
The wind (and why El Gouna draws kitesurfers)
The wind blows mostly from the north, averaging 18 to 23 km/h depending on the month and a bit stronger in the afternoon: it cools the coast, and it's what makes El Gouna and Soma Bay well-known kitesurfing spots.
On a boat at full speed, that wind chills you quickly, even in October. It also fools you: you don't feel the sun, yet it's strong. That's one more reason sea trips leave early, when the surface is flatter.
What to pack
Two swimsuits, sun protection, water shoes and trainers, plus a warm layer for the evening: light in October, more serious from December to March.
- Passport, and US dollars in cash for the visa (about US$30)
- Two swimsuits, so one is always dry
- UV rash vest, reef-friendly sun cream, sunglasses, a cap
- Water shoes for coral and sandbanks
- Trainers or closed shoes for the quad and the horses
- Light trousers and a jumper or windbreaker
- A scarf or buff for desert dust
- From December to March: a light down jacket for the night departures
- A waterproof pouch and a power bank
Sources: Weather Spark, "Climate and average weather year round in Hurghada" (historical averages).
Live forecast for Hurghada
Forecast updated continuously · source Open-Meteo