Diving Hurghada in December and January: Winter Red Sea Guide

Planning to dive Hurghada in December or January? Find out what water temperatures to expect, which wetsuit to pack, and the best winter marine life.

Diving Hurghada in December and January: Winter Red Sea Guide

Escape the freezing European winter for the sunny shores of the Red Sea is a time-honored tradition for scuba divers. Hurghada offers year-round diving, but diving in December, January, and February presents unique conditions compared to the blistering heat of the Egyptian summer.

While the topside weather is pleasantly spring-like, the water temperature drops, the wind picks up, and the marine life shifts. If you are preparing for a winter dive trip or are deciding when to book your PADI Open Water certification, this guide covers everything you need to know about diving Hurghada in December and January.

If you want more general information on the destination, read our ultimate guide to diving in Hurghada.

1. What is the Water Temperature in Winter?

The Red Sea never gets truly "cold" by global diving standards, but the difference between summer and winter is noticeable.

• December: Water temperature is typically around 24°C to 25°C (75°F to 77°F) on the surface, dropping slightly at depth. The water retains some heat from the late autumn.
• January & February: These are the coldest months in the Red Sea. Water temperatures drop to 21°C to 23°C (70°F to 73°F).

While 22°C might sound reasonably warm, water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than air. If you are doing two or three hour-long dives a day for a week, that chill will compound rapidly.

2. What Wetsuit Should I Wear in December and January?

Because of the compounding chill of repetitive diving, proper thermal protection is essential for a winter trip to Hurghada.

• A 5mm full wetsuit is the absolute minimum recommendation for December and January. If you are someone who runs hot, a high-quality 5mm will get you through a week of diving comfortably.
• A 7mm full wetsuit is heavily recommended for January and February, especially if you get cold easily. Many local dive guides switch to 7mm semi-dry suits or even drysuits during these months.
• Hoods and Gloves: You lose a massive amount of body heat through your head. A 3mm or 5mm neoprene hood is a game-changer in January. (Note: Many Hurghada dive centers ban gloves to protect the reef, so check with your shop first).

If you are renting equipment, double-check with the dive center in advance that they stock 5mm or 7mm suits, as some budget operations only carry 3mm suits year-round.

3. The Wind Factor: Surviving the Surface Interval

The biggest challenge of winter diving in Hurghada isn't the water temperature—it is the wind.

The Red Sea Coast is famously windy. In July, a brisk wind is a welcome relief from the 40°C heat. In January, when the air temperature is around 18°C to 22°C, stepping out of the water in a soaking wet wetsuit into a strong 20-knot wind will freeze you instantly. Evaporative cooling on the boat deck is real.

How to stay warm on the boat:

1. Bring a windproof jacket or a dry robe. A thick, fleece-lined boat coat or a specialized dry robe is the single best piece of surface equipment you can pack.
2. Take your wetsuit off immediately. Do not sit around in a wet, cold 5mm suit hoping it will warm up. Strip it off, dry yourself with a towel, and put on dry clothes (like a track suit or fleece) for the surface interval.
3. Drink hot tea. Every dive boat in Hurghada serves hot black tea with copious amounts of sugar. Drink it between dives to raise your core temperature.

4. Winter Marine Life: What Will You See?

The cooler water temperatures actually bring some fantastic shifts in marine life behavior.

• Excellent Visibility: Because the cooler water slows the growth of plankton and algae, the visibility in January and February is often the best of the year, frequently exceeding 30 to 40 meters. It is crystal clear.
• Dolphin Encounters: The famous Bottlenose Dolphins at Shaab El Erg (Dolphin House) are resident year-round, so your chances of seeing them remain excellent in winter.
• Fewer Pelagics, More Macro: The cooler water means fewer sightings of large pelagic sharks (like hammerheads, which prefer the warmer summer currents). However, the coral reefs are bursting with macro life. Nudibranchs, flatworms, and seahorses thrive in the crisp winter conditions.
• Fewer Divers: Winter is considered "low season" for diving in the Red Sea. The massive crowds of the summer and autumn dissipate. This means you will have iconic Hurghada dive sites like the Abu Nuhas wrecks or Police Station almost to yourself.

5. Is Winter a Good Time to Get Certified?

If you are planning to take your PADI Open Water Diver course in December or January, you absolutely can, but you need to be realistic about the temperature.

During a certification course, you spend a lot of time hovering in shallow water performing skills, rather than swimming vigorously. This means you get colder faster. Ensure you request a thick, well-fitting 5mm or 7mm wetsuit from your instructor.

The massive upside to learning in January is the class sizes. Dive centers are quiet, meaning you will likely get private or semi-private instruction at no extra cost, allowing you excellent 1-on-1 time with your instructor.

Final Thoughts: Should You Dive Hurghada in Winter?

Absolutely. Diving Hurghada in December and January offers crystal-clear water, uncrowded dive boats, and empty reefs. As long as you pack a thick wetsuit and a warm, windproof coat for the boat rides, a winter trip to the Red Sea is an incredibly rewarding experience.