Marsa Alam in May: weather, sea temperature and trips
In May Marsa Alam averages 32°C by day and 23°C at night, and the sea is about 25°C. Hot, sunny and settled, with a sea of about 25°C. A very good month for the sea before the peak summer heat.
Marsa Alam in May at a glance
| Average | |
|---|---|
| Day temperature | 32°C |
| Night temperature | 23°C |
| Sea temperature | 25°C (22.9°C to 27.6°C over the past 10 years) |
| Sunshine | 12 hours a day |
| Rain | Usually no rain |
| Daylight | 13.4 hours; sunrise about 05:56, sunset about 19:18 |
| Wind | Often windy (about 5 days in 10) |
| UV index | 11+ (extreme) |
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 May
The sea is warming up. Average sea temperature: 23°C in April, 25°C in May and 27°C in June. Most people swim and snorkel comfortably without a wetsuit, though children may feel cool after a long snorkel.
Most people do not need a wetsuit. A rash vest helps with the sun, and a thin shorty is worth it for children or anyone who feels the cold.
What's running in May
The sea warms to about 25°C, so long stops at Marsa Mubarak and Coral Garden are comfortable without a wetsuit for most people. Sataya is a good choice too: HEPCA's surveys found the dolphins most reliably in the warmer months.
Afternoons reach about 32°C, so the super safari, which runs into the evening, is the most comfortable desert trip. Egyptian holidays this month (see below) make boats busier for a few days.
Day-trip weather in May
| Trip | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor | 38°C | 20°C |
| Cairo and the pyramids | 32°C | 17°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 May
Two Egyptian holidays fall this month: Sham el-Nessim, the spring festival, on 3 May 2027, and Eid al-Adha, expected around 16 May 2027, when Egyptian families fill many coastal hotels for several days. The late May half-term is busy with UK families. Book boat trips a few days ahead around those dates.
What to book in May
Sataya dolphin reef by yacht
The warmer months are the best time for the dolphin lagoon.
Marsa Mubarak by boat
Turtles in the bay and a reef stop, now in a 25°C sea.
Coral Garden by boat
Three reef stops in one day, in warm water.
Super safari
A desert trip from the afternoon into the night, after the heat.
What to pack for Marsa Alam in May
- Swimwear, sunglasses and a hat
- High-factor sun cream (SPF 50): the UV index is very high, even when a breeze makes it feel cooler
- A windproof layer for boat trips, as it is cooler on deck
- Reef shoes or water shoes for coral beaches and rocky entries
May in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam
| Resort | Day | Night | Sea | Windy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharm El Sheikh | 32°C | 21°C | 25°C | 1/10 |
| Hurghada | 31°C | 21°C | 24°C | 5/10 |
| Marsa Alam | 32°C | 23°C | 25°C | 5/10 |
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 May?
About 25°C on average. Over the past 10 years, readings for May ranged from 22.9°C to 27.6°C.
Is it warm enough to swim in Marsa Alam in May?
Yes. At about 25°C most people swim and snorkel comfortably without a wetsuit.
What is the weather like in Marsa Alam in May?
Average highs are 32°C and lows 23°C, with about 12 hours of sunshine a day and usually no rain.
Is May a good time to visit Marsa Alam?
Hot, sunny and settled, with a sea of about 25°C. A very good month for the sea before the peak summer heat.
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
- Gulf News: Ramadan, Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha 2027 expected dates
