Red Sea & Sinai, Egypt

Egypt's Red Sea and Sinai concentrate Sharm el-Sheikh's Ras Muhammad coral wall, Dahab's Blue Hole free-dive site, Hurghada's mass-tourism reef snorkelling, and the desert monastery of Saint Catherine at Mount Sinai's foot.

Highlights

When to Visit

Mar-May

Red Sea diving at peak visibility, Sinai temperatures pleasant for Mount Sinai climb at sunrise, and the desert wildflowers blooming briefly in March.

Jun-Aug

Sharm and Hurghada hit 38°C, but the sea stays around 28°C and the air-conditioned reef-edge resorts run at full Russian and European package volume.

Sep-Nov

Sea at warmest, diving visibility excellent at Ras Muhammad and the Thistlegorm wreck, and pleasant temperatures for desert excursions to Coloured Canyon.

Dec-Feb

Cool dry winter with diving still excellent, Sinai mountain nights cold for Mount Sinai climbs, and Saint Catherine's monastery accessible without summer crowds.