Marsa Alam weather in December is warm by day, cool at night and gentle on the sea, with water holding around 24°C. This guide breaks down Marsa Alam weather in December by phase of the month, explains the wind and tells you what to pack and which reefs to book.

Marsa Alam Weather in December: Temperature, Sea and What to Pack

Marsa Alam weather in December is the most forgiving of the whole Red Sea winter. The air is warm enough for the beach at noon, the sea stays close to 24°C, and the wind is usually lighter than at the northern resorts. Rain is almost absent. The only thing that catches visitors out is the evening, when the temperature drops faster than the postcard suggests.

This guide reads the weather the way a trip planner would: by phase of the month, by activity and by what you should wear. At Bastet Travel we arrange reef, desert and temple itineraries across the winter season, so the advice here reflects what guests ask us before they travel and what they tell us afterward. If you are still choosing a destination for holidays to Egypt in December, the next few sections will show you whether the far south of the Red Sea fits.

marsa alam december weather

The Verdict in Four Lines

  • Air: Daytime highs of about 22 to 26°C and nights of about 14 to 18°C, depending on the week.
  • Sea: Marsa Alam water temperature in December sits around 24 to 25°C.
  • Sky: Clear on nearly every day, with sunshine from about 6:30 am to 5:00 pm.
  • Catch: Chilly evenings, a breeze on exposed beaches and holiday pricing after December 20.

Marsa Alam December weather works best for reef lovers, couples, divers and anyone who wants space on the sand. It is a weaker choice for travelers who need 30°C to feel on holiday, or who expect a busy nightlife strip. The town is spread out and calm, and that is exactly what its December climate rewards.

The Verdict in Four Lines

Marsa Alam Weather in December, Phase by Phase

A monthly average hides the real pattern. Marsa Alam weather December shifts gradually from late autumn to early winter, and each phase suits a different kind of trip.

December 1 to 10: The Last Warm Days

  • The first ten days still feel like extended autumn. Highs reach 25 or 26°C, nights hover around 17 or 18°C, and the sea keeps nearly all of its November warmth. If you want the warmest version of Marsa Alam weather in December, this is the window.
  • For a direct comparison, our guides to Marsa Alam weather in november and Marsa Alam in november show how little changes between the two months at the start of December. Crowds are also light, so reefs and breakfast rooms are uncluttered.

December 11 to 22: The Settled Middle

  • Mid-month is the most stable stretch. Daytime highs settle at 24 to 25°C, and nights at 15 to 16°C. Skies are clear, and the north wind follows a steady pattern: calm mornings, a light breeze after lunch.
  • This is the sweet spot for travelers who want a balance of comfort and value. Prices have not yet moved to holiday rates, flights are available, and the Marsa Alam temperature December pattern is predictable enough to plan a full excursion calendar.

December 23 to 31: Coolest Air, Busiest Calendar

  • The last week brings the coolest air of the month, with highs of 22 to 24°C and nights that can fall to 14°C. It also brings Christmas and New Year demand. Hotels are full, minimum stays apply, and restaurants run festive menus.
  • If these are your dates, reserve early. Our Christmas and New Year Egypt Tour Packages lock in rooms and excursions together, which helps when availability tightens. Coptic Christmas follows on January 7, so some local celebrations continue after the international holiday.

Marsa Alam Weather in December, Phase by Phase

Marsa Alam Temperature in December: Day, Night and Feel

Numbers on a forecast tell you little about comfort. Marsa Alam temperature December readings feel different depending on the hour, the wind and where you stand.

Daytime Highs and Why the Sun Still Bites

  • A reading of 24°C sounds mild, but the desert sun at this latitude is strong. Dry air and a light breeze mask the heat, so people burn without noticing. Guests tell us the first afternoon is the most common mistake: no sunscreen because it felt cool, followed by a red back by dinner.
  • On a calm, sunny day the sand and sheltered beaches feel closer to 28°C. On a windy day the same temperature feels like 20°C. That gap is why sheltered bays matter so much in the Marsa Alam weather in December picture.

Nights and Early Mornings

Nights fall to about 14 to 18°C, and dawn is the coldest point. Boat departures at 7:30 am feel crisp, and the first hour on deck without a jacket is a mistake you make only once. After sunset, a light fleece is enough for dinner. Desert trips and clear-night stargazing need more, because the temperature falls faster away from the coast.

Marsa Alam Temperature in December: Day, Night and Feel

Marsa Alam Water Temperature in December

Marsa Alam water temperature in December is around 24 to 25°C. That is a degree or two warmer than Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, because Marsa Alam sits further south. The sea changes slowly, so you will not notice much difference between the start and the end of the month.

Is 24°C Warm Enough for Snorkeling?

  • Yes, with a caveat. At 24°C most adults can swim comfortably for 20 to 40 minutes. Children cool faster, and so do slim swimmers. Snorkeling for an hour usually needs a shorty wetsuit or a rash vest with a thin layer under it.
  • If you would rather skip the cold altogether, look at the Swimming options at heated hotel pools. Many resorts here keep pools at a comfortable temperature all winter, which makes a useful backup on a windy day.

Choosing the Right Exposure Suit

Match the suit to the plan:

  • Snorkeling for under 30 minutes: A rash vest or swimsuit is acceptable if you enter the water at midday.
  • Snorkeling for an hour or more: A 3 mm shorty or full suit keeps you warm.
  • Diving: A 5 mm full wetsuit is standard, and a hood helps on the second and third dives.
  • Children: A full-body suit, even for short sessions.

The rule for Marsa Alam water temperature December days is simple: if you are asking whether you will be cold, wear the suit.

Marsa Alam Water Temperature in December

Wind, Waves and Visibility

  • Marsa Alam Egypt weather in December is dry, but it is not windless. A moderate north breeze is common, usually building after midday. Compared with Hurghada and Sharm, the wind here is often gentler, partly because the coastline is more varied and the bays offer natural shelter.
  • Visibility under water is typically excellent, often 20 meters or more at the main sites. Calm mornings are the best time for water activities, and afternoon trips can feel choppier. Plan reef days early and keep afternoons for rest, lunch or a spa.
  • A practical habit: check the sea state on the morning of any boat trip. Operators adjust routes to the wind, and a flexible plan beats a fixed one.

Rain, Dust and Desert Flash Floods

Rain is very rare, and a shower in Marsa Alam usually lasts minutes. The one exception worth knowing is the Eastern Desert. When rain falls in the mountains, wadis can flood suddenly, and roads inland occasionally close for a few hours. This is uncommon, but it is the reason we check conditions before any desert drive and prefer experienced local drivers.

Dust is more of a nuisance than a danger. On windy days, a scarf or buff makes quad rides and open-top jeep trips much more comfortable.

Rain, Dust and Desert Flash Floods

Match the Weather to Your Plan

The best way to use the Marsa Alam weather December forecast is to match it to your priorities.

If You Want Dugongs, Turtles and Dolphins

Marsa Alam is known for wildlife encounters, and December conditions suit them. Abu Dabbab is a shallow bay where turtles graze on seagrass, and dugongs are sometimes seen. Sightings are never guaranteed, so treat any sighting as a bonus. Calm morning water is when visibility is best, and fewer visitors are in the bay.

For dolphins, Sataya Reef is the usual choice. Spinner dolphins rest here by day, and boat trips go out early. Respect the guides’ rules, because the dolphins are resting and should not be chased. The cooler December air makes the boat ride more comfortable than in summer, though you will want a windbreaker.

Browse the full list on our Marsa Alam Trips page.

If You Want Serious Diving

December is a good month for experienced divers. Conditions are stable, water clarity is high, and boats are less crowded before the holidays. Some of the offshore reefs have strong currents, so they are best left to certified divers with recent logged dives. Oceanic whitetip sightings at the outer reefs are possible in late autumn and early winter, but they are never promised.

Book a day with the Diving page, or plan a full week through our diving holidays Egypt packages. For a comparison month, our notes on diving in Egypt in november show conditions only slightly warmer.

If You Want Desert and Quads

The cooler air turns the desert from a midday challenge into a pleasure. A Safari with a Bedouin dinner works well in December, though you will need a fleece after dark. Faster options include a Quad Bike route or a Jeep drive into the hills, while a Camel Ride suits families who prefer a slower pace. Longer routes are collected under Egypt Desert Safari Tours.

If You Want Temples

December is among the best months for ancient sites, because Upper Egypt is cooler than in summer. From Marsa Alam, Edfu Temple is the nearest major monument, roughly three hours inland, and Luxor is a longer drive. A day trip to the Valley of The Kings, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple is possible, but it is a long day. Many guests prefer an overnight, and our Luxor Tours and Excursions page covers both formats.

For sunrise views over the Theban hills, consider a Hot Air Balloon flight. Dress warmly, because dawn in December is cold at altitude. Further south, Aswan Tours include the Philae Temple, though the distance makes an overnight stay sensible. Curious about conditions there? Our Luxor weather in november and Aswan weather in november pages give a useful baseline.

Match the Weather to Your Plan

Marsa Alam December Weather Compared With Hurghada, Sharm and Last Month

Marsa Alam is warmer than its northern neighbors by about one to two degrees, in both air and sea. It is also quieter and less windy on average. The trade-off is fewer evening options, so your day is built around reefs and excursions rather than nightlife.

For a broader overview of the coast, see Red Sea holidays Egypt and Egypt winter holidays.

Marsa Alam December Weather Compared With Hurghada, Sharm and Last Month

Crowds and Prices Through the Month

The weather curve and the price curve do not match. The warmest weeks are cheaper, and the coolest week is the most expensive.

  • December 1 to 19: Low crowds, standard rates and good availability.
  • December 20 to 31: Peak demand, holiday supplements and minimum stays.
  • Early January: Prices stay high until about January 5.

Marsa Alam is never as busy as Hurghada or Sharm, even at the peak, because the resorts are spread over a long coastline. Still, flights and rooms fill early for the Christmas week. If budget matters, our cheap Egypt holidays options focus on the earlier dates, and luxury Egypt holidays cover eco-lodges and five-star resorts for the holiday weeks.

Couples tend to like the secluded properties and can start with couples holidays in Egypt. Families usually look for gentle sandy entries, which are listed in Egypt family holidays.

Crowds and Prices Through the Month

What to Pack for Marsa Alam Weather in December

Pack for two climates in one day:

  • Swimwear: Two sets, since swimsuits dry slowly in cool air.
  • Wetsuit or rash vest: A 3 mm shorty for snorkeling, or a full suit if you are cold-sensitive.
  • Windbreaker: The most useful layer for boat rides and breezy afternoons.
  • Light fleece or sweater: For evenings and desert trips.
  • Sunscreen and hat: The sun is strong even when the air feels cool.
  • Closed shoes: For quads, jeeps and rocky paths.
  • Scarf or buff: Dust protection on safari.
  • Modest clothing: For temples, mosques and villages inland.
  • Reef-safe sunscreen: Protects the corals you came to see.

What to Pack for Marsa Alam Weather in December

Five Planning Mistakes

  • Skipping the jacket: The Marsa Alam temperature December evenings catch people off guard.
  • Booking an afternoon boat: Mornings are calmer and warmer in the water.
  • Ignoring the wetsuit: Cold after 40 minutes is the most common complaint about Marsa Alam water temperature in December.
  • Expecting a city: Marsa Alam is a long coast of resorts, not a walkable center, so decide your excursions in advance.
  • Leaving Christmas week late: Holiday dates sell out first, and last-minute prices are high.

Five Planning Mistakes

Quiet Is the Point

Some destinations sell energy. Marsa Alam sells the opposite. December here means a sea that barely moves before nine, a sky without a cloud, and a beach where you can count the other people on one hand.

If that sounds like the holiday you need, tell us how you want your days to feel and we will build around it. Send a message on WhatsApp and we will reply with a plan that fits your dates and your pace. Prefer to sketch it yourself? Open Plan Tailor-Made Egypt Trip and share the details. Pairing the reef with temples is easy through our Nile cruise and Red Sea holiday plans or a slower Luxor To Aswan Nile Cruises route. All ready plans are collected under Egypt Tour Packages.

Quiet Is the Point

FAQs About Marsa Alam Weather in December

What is the Marsa Alam weather in December?

Expect daytime highs of about 22 to 26°C and nights of about 14 to 18°C. Skies are clear on most days and rain is rare. The main variable is a light to moderate north breeze, usually stronger in the afternoon.

What is the Marsa Alam water temperature in December?

The sea is around 24 to 25°C all month. That suits swimming and snorkeling in a shorty or rash vest, while divers normally use a 5 mm wetsuit.

Is Marsa Alam warm enough for the beach in December?

Yes. On a calm, sunny day the beach feels warm, especially in sheltered bays. Bring a windbreaker for afternoons and a fleece for evenings, because the cool air arrives quickly after sunset.

Does it rain in Marsa Alam in December?

Very rarely, and never for long. The only real risk is flash flooding in the Eastern Desert after storms in the mountains, which can briefly close inland roads.

Is the Marsa Alam December weather good for diving?

Yes. Visibility is usually excellent and boats are quieter before the holidays. Experienced divers can enjoy offshore reefs with strong currents, while beginners do well on sheltered house reefs.

What is the Marsa Alam temperature in December at night?

Nights are cool, around 14 to 18°C depending on the week. Dawn is the coldest point, so keep a jacket for early boat departures and desert trips.

Is Marsa Alam Egypt weather in December better than Hurghada?

It is warmer by a degree or two and usually calmer and less crowded. Hurghada offers more nightlife, shopping and indoor options. Choose Marsa Alam for reefs, wildlife and quiet, and Hurghada for variety.