Sharm El Sheikh in January: weather, sea temperature and trips

In January Sharm El Sheikh averages 20°C by day and 10°C at night, and the sea is about 23°C. A good month for sightseeing, desert trips and Cairo, and fine for snorkelling if you don't mind fresh water. It is the coolest month, so pack a warm layer for the evenings and for the boat.

Sharm El Sheikh in January at a glance

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: 25°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

Boat trips to White Island and Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island run every day. Pick a calm, sunny day and take a towel and a sweatshirt for the ride back. If you would rather stay dry, the Royal Seascope semi-submarine shows the reef through windows below the waterline.

This is the coldest time for the Mount Sinai sunrise climb. St Catherine averages under 2°C at night, the summit is colder still and snow is possible, so you need a winter jacket, hat and gloves. Cairo at about 19°C and Luxor at about 22°C, on the other hand, are as comfortable as they get.

Day-trip weather in January

Cairo, Luxor and Petra: Weather2Travel averages. St Catherine: NOAA 1961 to 1990 averages for the town; the summit of Mount Sinai, at 2,285 m, is colder still at dawn.

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 pack for Sharm El Sheikh 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
• Winter clothes if you climb Mount Sinai for the sunrise: warm jacket, hat, gloves and a torch

January in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam

Sharm El Sheikh weather by month

Long-term averages from Weather2Travel. Windy days: share of days with wind of 30 km/h or more (ERA5, 2016 to 2025).