Hurghada in January: weather, sea temperature and trips
In January Hurghada averages 21°C by day and 10°C at night, and the sea is about 23°C. A good month for Luxor, Cairo and desert trips, with mild, sunny days. The sea is fresh at about 23°C and windy days are common, so island trips are best on a calm day, with a wetsuit.
Hurghada in January at a glance
| Average | |
|---|---|
| Day temperature | 21°C |
| Night temperature | 10°C |
| Sea temperature | 23°C (21.7°C to 25.1°C over the past 10 years) |
| Sunshine | 9 hours a day |
| Rain | Usually no rain |
| Daylight | 10.6 hours; sunrise about 06:35, sunset about 17:12 |
| Wind | Often windy (about 3 days in 10) |
| UV index | 5 (moderate) |
Air, sea, sunshine and rain: long-term averages from Weather2Travel. Sea range: lowest and highest readings for the month over the past 10 years (SeaTemperature.info). Wind: share of days when the wind reached 30 km/h or more, ERA5 data for 2016 to 2025 via Open-Meteo. Sunrise and sunset on the 15th, Egypt time.
Sea temperature and swimming in January
The sea is cooling down. Average sea temperature: 24°C in December, 23°C in January and 22°C in February. The water feels cool: most people get chilly after 20 to 30 minutes of snorkelling, and the wind on deck makes it feel colder when you get out.
A wetsuit makes snorkelling much more comfortable, and you can usually rent one with the mask and fins. Bring a towel, a sweatshirt and a windproof layer for the deck.
What's running in January
January is the best time of year for Luxor and the Valley of the Kings: about 22°C by day. Cairo by bus is a long day, but at about 19°C it is comfortable at the pyramids.
Island trips to Orange Bay and the Giftun islands run daily, but it is windy on about 3 days in 10 and the deck gets cold. Book them early in your holiday so there is time to go another day. The Seascope semi-submarine is a dry way to see the reef.
Day-trip weather in January
| Trip | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor | 22°C | 6°C |
| Cairo and the pyramids | 19°C | 8°C |
Weather2Travel long-term averages. Luxor is inland, so its days are hotter and its nights cooler than on the coast.
Holidays and crowds in January
The New Year week is the busiest and most expensive time of winter. From the second week of January the resorts are quieter, and mid-January to early February is usually one of the cheapest times to travel. Coptic Christmas on 7 January is a public holiday in Egypt; excursions run as normal.
What to book in January
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Luxor at about 22°C: the best month for the temples and tombs.
Cairo 1 day by bus
The pyramids, the museum and the Nile at about 19°C.
Seascope Panorama semi-submarine
Corals and fish through big windows, without getting cold.
Orange Bay by boat
Pick a calm, sunny day; a wetsuit helps in a sea of about 23°C.
What to pack for Hurghada in January
- Swimwear, sunglasses and a hat
- Sun cream (SPF 30 or higher)
- A warm sweater or fleece and long trousers for the evenings, which drop to about 10°C
- A wetsuit or long-sleeved rash vest if you plan long snorkelling stops
- A windproof layer for boat trips, as it is cooler on deck
- Reef shoes or water shoes for coral beaches and rocky entries
January in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam
| Resort | Day | Night | Sea | Windy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharm El Sheikh | 20°C | 10°C | 23°C | rare |
| Hurghada | 21°C | 10°C | 23°C | 3/10 |
| Marsa Alam | 23°C | 13°C | 23°C | 3/10 |
Hurghada weather by month
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Windy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C | 10°C | 23°C | 9 h | 3/10 |
| February | 22°C | 11°C | 22°C | 10 h | 4/10 |
| March | 25°C | 14°C | 22°C | 10 h | 5/10 |
| April | 28°C | 17°C | 23°C | 10 h | 4/10 |
| May | 31°C | 21°C | 24°C | 11 h | 5/10 |
| June | 33°C | 24°C | 26°C | 12 h | 6/10 |
| July | 34°C | 25°C | 27°C | 13 h | 5/10 |
| August | 34°C | 26°C | 28°C | 12 h | 6/10 |
| September | 32°C | 24°C | 27°C | 11 h | 6/10 |
| October | 30°C | 20°C | 27°C | 10 h | 4/10 |
| November | 27°C | 16°C | 26°C | 9 h | 2/10 |
| December | 23°C | 12°C | 24°C | 9 h | 2/10 |
Long-term averages from Weather2Travel. Windy days: share of days with wind of 30 km/h or more (ERA5, 2016 to 2025).
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in Hurghada in January?
About 23°C on average. Over the past 10 years, readings for January ranged from 21.7°C to 25.1°C.
Is it warm enough to swim in Hurghada in January?
Yes, but it feels cool. At about 23°C most people get chilly after 20 to 30 minutes of snorkelling, so many wear a wetsuit.
What is the weather like in Hurghada in January?
Average highs are 21°C and lows 10°C, with about 9 hours of sunshine a day and usually no rain.
Is January a good time to visit Hurghada?
A good month for Luxor, Cairo and desert trips, with mild, sunny days. The sea is fresh at about 23°C and windy days are common, so island trips are best on a calm day, with a wetsuit.
Book or ask a question
Every tour on this page can be booked online from its page, with no prepayment: you pay on the day. To ask about dates, hotel pickup or private trips, write to us on WhatsApp at +20 101 337 0369 or Telegram at @sinbad_tour_bot, or call +20 100 687 2059.
Sources
- Weather2Travel: Hurghada climate by month
- SeaTemperature.info: Hurghada water temperature
- Climates to Travel: Hurghada climate (wind and khamsin)
- Open-Meteo: historical weather API (ERA5), wind 2016 to 2025
- timeanddate.com: daylight saving time in Egypt
- Weather2Travel: Cairo climate
- Weather2Travel: Luxor climate
