The Red Sea: The Perfect Winter Dive Destination

The Red Sea: The Perfect Winter Dive Destination

The clocks going back an hour at the end of October officially mark the end of summertime and the start of winter.

If you are not a fan of crowded dive sites, then Wintertime in Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab with Circle Divers is perfect for you.

Diving is an all-year activity in the Red Sea and there’s never been a better time to book a winter dive package with Circle Divers.

Is The Red Sea Cold in Winter?

No, it’s definitely cooler but still one of the warmer waters in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter time (Nov - March).

While it is true that the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab maintain a relatively warm climate all year round there is a variant between winter and summer to both the air and water temperature which you may need to consider when planning your holiday.

November and December are the perfect months for a visit as the water temperatures remain around the 25ºC to 27 ºC mark before dropping slightly to 20ºC to 25ºC during the colder months of January to March.

Will I Need a Wetsuit?

Most definitely, we would recommend all divers wear at least a 5mm full suit when diving in the winter in Sharm el Sheikh although you’ll possibly see a few dry suits doing the rounds or hearty divers still in their shorty’s!

Just remember that water conducts heat between 25 - 40 times faster than air so although you may feel warm on your first day diving, by the end of day 5 you could feel goose bumps halfway through a dive. Bring a cozy towel for in-between dives as the winds can often be quite strong on the deck of the boat.

Circle Divers sells a range of stylish ponchos at the counter which can be ideal for throwing on when you are wet back on the boat. (We also sell Circle Divers hoodies too!)

What Is The Weather Like in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab in Winter?

For cooler weather and very low humidity, the best time to go to Sharm El Sheikh is in the winter. With an average daytime temperature in the mid to high 20s you get a nice break from the intense heat of summer while still having enough heat and sunshine to enjoy.  In the evening especially after December, the temperature can drop to the low teens of 12 - 14ºC so make sure you bring a lightweight sweater.

Sea breezes can be pleasant and refreshing. Coastal winds often bring relief from the heat and come in from the northwest and over the Mediterranean Sea.

As an added bonus, winter is the best time for sightseeing above the water. Anybody who has ever tried visiting the Pyramids in mid-July will happily agree the winter months would make a better time to combine a diving trip with an excursion to the Pyramids of Giza or Luxor. 

What Will I See in The Red Sea in Winter?

In terms of marine life, it’s the Red Sea! We’ve over 1,300 fish species and over 2,000 kilometers of some of the best coral reef systems in the world and that doesn’t change from summer to winter. You can expect great visibility all year round ranging from 15m-40m+.

Winter is a great time for the shark lovers amongst you, with Oceanic White Tips and Hammerheads loving the cooler waters. You are also more likely to see a Whale Shark or a Manta during the cooler months.

 In addition to spotting sharks, you’ll still be able to enjoy the rest of the Red Sea with the wrecks and reefs not changing much during the seasons. Dive sites in Egypt are as variable as the marine life that calls it home. You’ll see sheer walls, shallow reefs, deep wrecks, pinnacles, and open ocean drifts. There is diving for every level.

How Many Flights To Sharm In Winter?

There are plenty of direct flights from Europe to Sharm El Sheikh in the winter months. Check out the latest news on direct flights from the UK, Germany, Holland, and Austria here on our Circle Divers flights page.

If you’re thinking of booking a winter vacation in Sharm el Sheikh for your next Scuba diving holiday, feel free to get in touch with Circle Divers with any questions and we’ll happily try and answer them for you. If you want to escape the rain of Europe, don’t worry it normally only ever rains 2 or 3 times per year in Sharm.