Marsa Alam in January: weather, sea temperature and trips
In January Marsa Alam averages 23°C by day and 13°C at night, and the sea is about 23°C. The warmest winter of the Red Sea resorts, with sunny days of about 23°C. The sea is fresh at about 23°C and windy days can make long boat trips rough, so January suits Luxor and beach days more than open-sea trips.
Marsa Alam in January at a glance
| Average | |
|---|---|
| Day temperature | 23°C |
| Night temperature | 13°C |
| Sea temperature | 23°C (21.5°C to 25.2°C over the past 10 years) |
| Sunshine | 9 hours a day |
| Rain | Usually no rain |
| Daylight | 10.8 hours; sunrise about 06:27, sunset about 17:12 |
| Wind | Windy on some days (about 3 in 10) |
| UV index | 6 (high) |
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
Luxor is about 22°C, ideal for the long day to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. Closer to the hotels, Abu Dabab bay is a sandy beach day where turtles often feed in the seagrass near the shore.
The Sataya dolphin trip runs, but the crossing is long and the wind blows on about 3 days in 10. Go on a calm day and take a warm top for the boat.
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 Valley of the Kings
Luxor at about 22°C: the best month for the temples and tombs.
Abu Dabab bay by bus
A sandy bay where turtles often feed in the seagrass near the shore.
Valley of Camels by jeep
A private jeep morning in the Wadi El Gemal reserve in mild weather.
Sataya dolphin reef by yacht
Wild dolphins at the horseshoe reef; choose a calm day.
What to pack for Marsa Alam 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 13°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 |
Marsa Alam weather by month
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Windy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C | 13°C | 23°C | 9 h | 3/10 |
| February | 24°C | 14°C | 22°C | 10 h | 3/10 |
| March | 27°C | 16°C | 23°C | 10 h | 4/10 |
| April | 30°C | 20°C | 23°C | 11 h | 4/10 |
| May | 32°C | 23°C | 25°C | 12 h | 5/10 |
| June | 34°C | 25°C | 27°C | 13 h | 6/10 |
| July | 35°C | 25°C | 28°C | 13 h | 4/10 |
| August | 35°C | 26°C | 29°C | 12 h | 5/10 |
| September | 34°C | 25°C | 28°C | 11 h | 6/10 |
| October | 32°C | 22°C | 27°C | 10 h | 3/10 |
| November | 27°C | 18°C | 26°C | 10 h | 1/10 |
| December | 25°C | 15°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 Marsa Alam in January?
About 23°C on average. Over the past 10 years, readings for January ranged from 21.5°C to 25.2°C.
Is it warm enough to swim in Marsa Alam 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 Marsa Alam in January?
Average highs are 23°C and lows 13°C, with about 9 hours of sunshine a day and usually no rain.
Is January a good time to visit Marsa Alam?
The warmest winter of the Red Sea resorts, with sunny days of about 23°C. The sea is fresh at about 23°C and windy days can make long boat trips rough, so January suits Luxor and beach days more than open-sea trips.
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: Marsa Alam climate by month
- SeaTemperature.info: Marsa Alam water temperature
- HEPCA: A management plan for Satayah reef (2018)
- HEPCA: February, as windy as it gets (Satayah and Samadai survey)
- Open-Meteo: historical weather API (ERA5), wind 2016 to 2025
- timeanddate.com: daylight saving time in Egypt
- Weather2Travel: Cairo climate
- Weather2Travel: Luxor climate
