Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh in February 2027 | Which Wins?

Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh in February comes down to wind and reef and the style of resort you want. This guide to Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh in February follows two sisters in two resorts through eight phone calls and ends with a clear scorecard.

Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh in February 2027: Two Sisters and Eight Phone Calls

Lina and Maya booked the same week in February and could not agree on where to spend it. Lina wanted Hurghada. Maya wanted Sharm El Sheikh. They settled it the only way sisters can. Each went to one resort for the same seven days and they agreed to call each other every evening and compare notes.

Lina and Maya are a composite built from how travelers test a choice and not real clients. Their eight calls are the spine of this guide. Each call covers one question and ends with a point for one resort or a draw. By the last call you will have a scorecard and a clear answer for your own trip.

For the full picture of each resort in the month see our guides to hurghada in february and sharm el sheikh in february. This page is about choosing between them.

Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh in February at a Glance

These are averages and not forecasts. Individual days can run a few degrees either way so check a live forecast before you fly. The two columns are close and that is the first lesson. Weather alone rarely decides this choice. The other seven calls do.

Call 1: The Weather

Evening 1. Lina in Hurghada and Maya in Sharm.

Lina reports first. Sunny. Twenty-three at noon and a strong breeze from the north. I wore a jacket at dinner. Maya reports the same. Twenty-three at noon and breezy. A jacket at dinner.

They laugh because the notes match. Both resorts share one climate. The afternoon is pleasant and the sea is cool and the wind decides how warm it feels. Sharm runs about a degree warmer at night and its bays give more shelter than the open stretches of the Hurghada coast. Hurghada gets a touch less sunshine on some days when cloud drifts in from the west but the difference is small.

For the numbers behind each coast read february weather in hurghada and egypt sharm el sheikh weather in february. For the country as a whole see temp in egypt in february.

Score: a draw with a slight edge to Sharm for warmer nights.

Call 2: The Sea and the Reef

Evening 2. Both sisters spent the day on the water.

Diving

Maya goes first because she dived. Visibility was excellent. The boat was half empty. Lina dived too. Same here. Good visibility and a quiet boat.

The Red Sea reef does not follow the calendar. Both resorts offer strong diving in February with good visibility and quieter boats than in summer. Water at 21 or 22°C calls for a thicker wetsuit than you would wear in July. Many divers choose a 5 to 7 mm suit and add a hood or gloves. Those are common choices and not rules because cold tolerance varies. Confirm what your dive centre supplies.

Here the two resorts differ in character:

• Sharm El Sheikh is closer to the marine park at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Day trips go to Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island and many dive sites sit a short boat ride from the bays.
• Hurghada has long boat rides to offshore sites and island reefs and a wide choice of centres. Trips to the islands near Giftun Island Hurghada are popular.

Browse Diving for trip types and diving holidays egypt for stays built around the reef.

Snorkeling and Dry Reef Trips

Snorkeling works in both places with a wetsuit and a warm layer for the ride back. Orange Bay Hurghada is a favorite boat day from Hurghada. Sharm offers snorkeling stops on the same boats that run to the marine park. For a dry look at the reef try a Glass Boat or a SeaScope trip in either resort.

Swimming

February is the coolest month for the sea. Sharm is about a degree warmer than Hurghada. A short dip is fine for most adults in both places and a long swim is not. A heated pool is the better plan for regular laps and many hotel pools are not heated in winter. Ask before you book. Browse Swimming for water options.

Score: one point to Sharm for reef access and a slightly warmer sea.

Call 3: The Wind

Evening 3. Lina sounds excited.

I tried kitesurfing today. The wind was steady all afternoon. Maya is less happy. I wanted to lie on the beach and I spent two hours looking for a sheltered spot.

The north wind blows at both resorts and it cuts two ways. For wind sports it is an asset. Hurghada and the bays further north near El Gouna are known for kitesurfing and windsurfing and February wind is usually dependable. Lessons and rentals are common and instructors will tell you which spot suits your level on a given day.

For sunbathers it is a nuisance. A 23°C afternoon with a 25 km/h breeze can feel like 18°C on an open sunbed. The same afternoon behind a wall can feel like 25°C. Sharm has more sheltered bays than most of the Hurghada coast and that helps. In either resort choose a hotel with a walled or terraced pool area and ask which side of the beach catches the least wind.

Boats follow the wind. Mornings are often calmer than afternoons so book the earliest departure. A Speed Boat outing is fun but cold in a breeze and Parasailing is less appealing when it blows. A slower Boat ride with a covered area suits families.

Score: a point to Hurghada for wind sports and a point to Sharm for shelter. A draw.

Call 4: Beaches and Hotels

Evening 4. The sisters compare their hotels.

Lina’s hotel sits in a long resort strip with a private beach and a large pool. Maya’s sits above a small bay with a house reef a few steps from the sand. Both are comfortable. Neither is the same.

The layouts explain the difference:

• Hurghada spreads along many kilometres of coast. Central Hurghada has the most restaurants and shops and short transfers from the airport. The southern strips such as Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh are quieter and more self-contained. El Gouna to the north is a planned town with a marina and lagoons. The Hurghada Marina area is walkable and lively with boat departures close by.
• Sharm El Sheikh is more compact. Naama Bay is the central hub with a long promenade and dive shops. Sharks Bay to the north has a shore reef and a calmer feel. Nabq Bay has large resorts for families. Ras Um Sid is a headland with a lighthouse and a view.

In February three questions matter more than in summer:

1. Is the pool heated or at least sheltered from the north wind?
2. How exposed is the beach to the wind?
3. How far is the hotel from the activities you actually plan to do?

For stay formats see red sea holidays egypt. Families can look at egypt family holidays and couples at couples holidays in egypt. Adults who want a quiet stay can see egypt holidays adults only and higher comfort stays sit under 5 star egypt holidays.

Score: a draw. Hurghada offers more variety and Sharm offers more compact convenience.

Call 5: Evenings

Evening 5. Both sisters ate dinner outside.

Cold. They say it together.

After sunset the temperature slides toward 13 or 14°C and the wind stays. Outdoor tables are exposed in both places so choose a venue with heaters or a glazed terrace and carry a jacket to dinner even when the afternoon felt like summer.

The evening scene differs:

• In Sharm the promenade at Naama Bay is lively and exposed. SOHO Square is easy in a light jacket with shows and shops. The narrow streets of Old Market block much of the wind and feel warmer than the open bay.
• In Hurghada the Marina is walkable and busy and the town has a wider spread of restaurants and bars. Evenings feel more like a small city than a resort cluster.

For a warm indoor evening try a Turkish Bath session in either place. Keep one indoor plan ready for windy afternoons. In Hurghada the Hurghada Grand Aquarium and the Hurghada Museum and the Dolphin Show all work.

Score: a point to Hurghada for evening variety.

Call 6: Day Trips

Evening 6. Both sisters took a long day away from the water.

From Hurghada

Lina spent the day in Luxor. The drive takes several hours each way so the standard trip is a long one. It usually covers the Valley of The Kings and Karnak Temple and sometimes Dendera Temple on the way. February is a good month for it because Luxor afternoons reach about 25°C and the sites have almost no shade. Dawn is cold so wear layers. Read luxor in february and weather in luxor egypt in february before you go and browse Luxor Tours and Excursions.

Lina also notes that a Nile cruise with a coast stay is a better way to see temples than one long day. See nile cruise and hurghada stay and hurghada nile cruise and Cairo Nile cruise and Hurghada. Further south the reefs are quieter. See marsa alam weather in february and Marsa Alam Trips and the shore snorkeling at Abu Dabbab.

From Sharm El Sheikh

Maya went up a mountain. Jabal Mousa and St. Catherine’s Monastery sit high in the southern Sinai mountains. The pickup is long before dawn and the climb starts in the dark. Nights at altitude can fall to freezing or below and wind chill makes it feel colder. Pack a hat and gloves and thermal layers and sturdy shoes. The sunrise is worth the cold.

The desert behind both resorts is at its best in winter. Midday is mild and pleasant for a Quad Bike ride or a Buggy Ride or a Jeep trip or a full Safari. A Camel Ride at sunset ends with a cold ride back so bring a layer. The whole range sits under Egypt Desert Safari Tours. From Sharm some itineraries include the Colored Canyon as a long day trip and a short run to the border town of Taba can fill a day.

Heavy rain in the mountains can cause flash floods in dry riverbeds even when the coast stays dry. It is uncommon. Responsible operators cancel when conditions look wrong so follow their call.

Score: a point to Hurghada for the temple option and a point to Sharm for the mountain. A draw.

Call 7: Money and Crowds

Evening 7. The sisters check their receipts.

Lina paid a little less for a comparable hotel. Maya paid a little more but her dive boats were cheaper per day because the reef sat closer. Prices swing with dates and hotel category more than with the choice of resort.

Rates follow the school calendar more than the weather. The first week of February and the last days outside the festival window are usually the best value. Mid-month costs more because of school half terms. Hurghada tends to offer a wider range of price levels including many budget and mid-range options. Sharm tends to cluster in the mid-range and upper range with fewer low-cost choices though deals exist.

Compare package formats under Egypt Tour Packages and the wider season under holidays in egypt in february and egypt winter holidays. For a tighter budget look at cheap egypt holidays.

Prices on Bastet Travel exclude international flights and customer service can help you book those.

Score: a slight point to Hurghada for range of prices.

Call 8: Ramadan and Half Term in 2027

Evening 8. The last call.

The two calendar facts for February 2027 apply to both resorts equally.

Ramadan. In 2027 Ramadan is expected to begin around the second week of February with the start confirmed by moon sighting. Resorts and tourist services keep running in both places. Some local restaurants change their daytime hours and evenings come alive after sunset. A few habits help:

• Dress modestly when you visit the town or the old market.
• Avoid eating or drinking on public streets during the day.
• Ask your hotel for exact opening hours on your dates.

School half terms. Several countries hold half terms around the middle of February. Hotels fill and flights from Europe cost more for those dates. If your dates are flexible choose the first week or the last few days of the month.

The Abu Simbel Sun Festival on February 22 draws travelers to the far south and can tighten availability on Nile boats if you plan a river trip.

Score: a draw. The calendar affects both resorts the same way.

The Final Scorecard

The sisters add up the calls:

Two points each and four draws. The match is a tie on paper and that is the real answer. The right resort depends on what you want from the week and not on which one wins the scorecard.

Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada in February for Each Traveler

Divers

Choose Sharm if you want the reef on your doorstep and the marine park a short ride away. Choose Hurghada if you want a wider range of centres and island boat days. Both work.

Families

Both have family resorts. Sharm’s compact layout makes it easy to move between hotel and activities. Hurghada offers more attractions for children including Makadi Water World on a warm day and Mini Egypt Park and the Dolphin Show. Ask for a heated pool in either place.

Couples

Sharm offers sheltered bays and quieter headlands such as Ras Um Sid. Hurghada offers more variety in dining and nightlife. Both have adults-only hotels. For more ideas see couples holidays in egypt.

Wind Sports Fans

Hurghada and El Gouna. The wind is dependable and the schools are established.

First-Timers

Either works. Sharm is easier to navigate because it is compact. Hurghada offers a more complete mix of sea and city and a day trip to Luxor.

Budget Travelers

Hurghada has the wider range of low and mid-priced options. Compare cheap egypt holidays and look at the first week of the month.

Other Places to Weigh

If you want both coasts in one trip consider a split. See egypt multi centre holidays and egypt two centre holidays. To pair temples and the sea see nile cruise and red sea holiday and nile cruise and sharm el sheikh holiday. For the capital read cairo egypt weather in february. For activities in each resort browse Hurghada Tours and Excursions and Sharm El Sheikh Tours.

For the whole country in the month read egypt in february and where to go in egypt in february and travel to egypt in february and is february a good time to visit egypt. To compare with the month before see hurghada in january and sharm el sheikh in january. For the month after see egypt holidays march. For a spring alternative see easter holiday sharm el sheikh and our post on easter break egypt.

What to Pack for Either Resort

Layers with a windproof layer first:

• Windproof jacket. The most useful single item.
• Fleece or light sweater for evenings and boat decks.
• T-shirts and light shirts for midday.
• Long trousers for dinner and desert trips.
• Swimwear plus a robe or large towel for warmth after swimming.
• Wetsuit or rash vest if you snorkel and your operator does not supply one.
• Sun protection. Sunglasses and a hat and sunscreen.
• Closed shoes for desert days and sandals for the resort.
• Hat and gloves and thermal layers if you plan a Mount Sinai sunrise.
• Modest clothing for town visits during Ramadan.

The Three-Letter Tiebreaker

Eight calls and a tied scorecard. Lina and Maya needed one more tool. So they invented a tiebreaker with three questions and a three-letter code.

Answer each question with Y for yes or N for no:

1. Is the reef the main reason for the trip?
2. Do you want a wide choice of restaurants and nightlife and day trips?
3. Is price the main limit on your budget?

Here is how to read your code:

Send your code and your dates and your group size to Bastet Travel on WhatsApp. We will reply with a resort and a hotel area and a boat plan that suits the wind and the week you chose.

Prefer to compare the two resorts side by side with a real itinerary? Plan Tailor-Made Egypt Trip lets you sketch both. Prices exclude international flights and our customer service team can help you book those as well.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh in February

Is Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh better in February?

Neither wins outright. Sharm has the closer reef and slightly warmer nights and more shelter. Hurghada has more variety and a wider price range and dependable wind for kitesurfing. Choose by what you want from the week.

Which is warmer in February Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh?

Sharm by about a degree at night and in the sea. Daytime highs are almost the same at about 23°C. Wind decides how warm both feel.

Is Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada better for diving in February?

Both offer good visibility and quiet boats. Sharm is closer to the marine park and the reef sits near the bays. Hurghada has a wider choice of centres and island trips. Wear a thicker wetsuit in either place.

Is Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh in February good for swimming?

Only for short dips. The sea is about 21°C in Hurghada and 22°C in Sharm. A heated pool is better for longer swims so ask your hotel before you book.

Which is cheaper in February Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh?

Hurghada usually has the wider range of prices including more budget options. Dates matter more than the resort so aim for the first week or the last days of the month.

Does Ramadan in February 2027 affect Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh?

Resorts keep running in both places. Some local restaurants change their daytime hours. Dress modestly in town and ask your hotel for exact hours on your dates.

Can I visit Luxor or Mount Sinai from these resorts in February?

Yes. Luxor is a long day trip from Hurghada and a Nile cruise is easier for temples. Mount Sinai is a pre-dawn trip from Sharm and it is very cold at the top so pack a hat and gloves.