Best time
to dive in Hurghada.
Water temperature, visibility, wetsuit recommendation, and sighting probability for whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphins, turtles · month by month. Compiled from ten years of our guides' logbooks.
| Month | Water | Visibility | Wetsuit | Dolphins | Whale shark | Hammerhead | Manta | Turtle | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22°C | 20–25 m | 7 mm | · | · | · | Cool & calm. Best dolphin month · quiet boats. | ||
| Feb | 22°C | 20–25 m | 7 mm | · | · | · | Same as January. Bring a hood if you feel the cold. | ||
| Mar | 23°C | 20–25 m | 5–7 mm | · | · | Hammerheads start at Carless. Wind drops mid-month. | |||
| Apr | 24°C | 25 m | 5 mm | · | Spring. Vis improves, hammerhead season ramps. | ||||
| May | 26°C | 25–30 m | 3–5 mm | Hammerhead peak. Whale shark season starts. | |||||
| Jun | 28°C | 30 m | 3 mm | Warm and clear. Best month for new divers. | |||||
| Jul | 28°C | 30 m | 3 mm | · | Whale shark prime. Northern reefs at their best. | ||||
| Aug | 28°C | 30 m | 3 mm | · | Same. Hot above water · bring sun cover. | ||||
| Sep | 27°C | 25–30 m | 3 mm | Last whale shark month. Hammerheads return. | |||||
| Oct | 26°C | 25 m | 5 mm | Hammerhead second peak. Pleasant temperatures. | |||||
| Nov | 24°C | 25 m | 5–7 mm | · | · | Lower-cost month. Hammerheads still around. | |||
| Dec | 23°C | 20–25 m | 7 mm | · | · | · | Quiet. Christmas guests get private-boat feel. |
Common seasonal questions
When is the best time to dive in Hurghada?
June through September for the warmest, clearest water and best chance at whale sharks. April–May and October are the sweet spot for hammerheads at Carless Reef. December–February is quiet, cool, and great for spotting dolphins.
What's the water temperature in Hurghada year-round?
22°C in January and February (7 mm wetsuit), 28°C in July and August (3 mm wetsuit). Visibility is reliably 20–30 m all year.
Can you see whale sharks in Hurghada?
Yes, primarily July through September. Sightings are not guaranteed · they're free-swimming animals · but our boat captain knows the seasonal pinch points.
When can you see dolphins?
Year-round at Shaab El Erg ('Dolphin House'). Resident pod, present on roughly 70% of our visits. Winter mornings are most reliable.
Can you see hammerheads at Carless Reef?
Two windows: April–May and September–October. Sightings are at depth (20 m+) so AOW certification needed.
Which season fits you?
Tell us your date · we'll tell you what you'll see.