Weather in Hurghada at Christmas: Sea, Wind & Tips

Weather in Hurghada at Christmas brings 22 to 24°C days, a 24°C sea and almost no rain, with a north wind that shapes boat days. This guide explains Hurghada Christmas weather activity by activity, with packing and planning tips.

Weather in Hurghada at Christmas: Can You Really Swim on 25 December?

You can, and most people do, but the answer comes with fine print. Weather in Hurghada at Christmas means 22 to 24°C in the afternoon, a sea close to 24°C, around eight to nine hours of sun and almost no rain. It also means a north wind that can make the same 23°C feel like 18°C on a boat deck, and nights near 12°C that call for a jacket.

This guide comes from the Bastet Travel team, who book Red Sea stays alongside Nile and Cairo trips every December. We skip the generic monthly table and answer the questions that decide a Christmas booking: what you can do at which hour, how wind changes the picture, which side of town stays warmer and what to put in the bag. Figures are December averages from several weather sources. They differ by a degree or two between sites, so each number below is a range and not a forecast.

Hurghada Christmas Weather in Numbers

• Daytime highs: 22 to 24°C, with warm spells up to 26°C
• Night lows: About 12 to 13°C
• Sea temperature: Roughly 24 to 25°C
• Sunshine: 8 to 9 hours a day
• Rain: 1 to 4 mm for the whole month and rarely more than one wet day
• Wind: A steady north wind, around 16 to 18 km/h on average and stronger on some days
• Daylight: About 10 hours, with sunset close to 5 pm
• UV index: Around 4, moderate but still enough to colour a pale shoulder

Weather in Hurghada at Christmas: The Verdict by Activity

Averages tell you little until you attach them to a plan. Here is what the weather in Hurghada at Christmas means for each thing you might want to do.

Beach and Pool Days

Good, with a condition. Sun loungers are warm in the midday hours and the sea is swimmable. The condition is the wind: on a breezy day the beach feels cooler than the thermometer suggests, so choose a sheltered spot or a hotel with a windbreak. Heated pools make a real difference in December, so check before you book.

Swimming and Snorkelling

Good. At about 24°C most people swim comfortably, and a rash vest or thin wetsuit keeps you warm on longer snorkel sessions. Exit the water into a towel at once because the air feels cool when you are wet.

Boat Trips

Good in the morning and mixed after lunch. Wind builds through the day, so book departures that leave early. Giftun Island Hurghada and Orange Bay Hurghada are the classic choices. If the sea is choppy, operators switch to calmer routes or cancel, so keep one spare day in your week.

Diving

Very good. Visibility is strong in the cooler months and the water is warm enough for a 5 mm suit. Browse Diving options and our diving holidays Egypt packages if the reef is your main reason for coming.

Desert Trips

Excellent by day, cold by night. Afternoon Safari departures finish after sunset, when the desert air feels properly chilly. A Quad Bike or Buggy Ride with a scarf and a warm layer for the dinner stop is the right set up.

Evenings

Cool and pleasant. Outdoor dinners need a light jacket and the marina is lovely at dusk. Our Hurghada Marina guide covers what to expect after sunset.

Why the North Wind Matters More Than the Temperature

If you read only one section about Hurghada Christmas weather, read this one. Hurghada sits on a stretch of coast where a north-westerly wind blows for much of the year, and it is strongest in winter. The temperature barely moves from week to week, but the wind can swing the day from warm to brisk.

How Wind Changes Your Day

• On calm days: The beach feels close to 25°C and boats run on schedule
• On breezy days: The same temperature feels like 18 to 20°C on the water
• On very windy days: Some boat trips reroute or cancel and sand blows on open beaches

How to Plan Around It

Put sea activities in the morning, when the wind is usually lightest. Keep indoor or sheltered activities for the afternoon, such as the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, the Hurghada Museum or Sand City Hurghada. If wind cancels a plan, you still have a second option waiting.

How Reliable Is the Forecast for Hurghada Christmas Weather?

Very reliable on temperature and rain, less so on wind. Hurghada has a stable desert climate, so a December day is almost never a surprise. Check the forecast about ten days before you travel, then focus on wind speed and direction because that is the one number that changes your plans. A reading under about 20 km/h usually means calm boat days. A reading above 30 km/h means sheltered activities. Hotels and boat captains know the pattern well, so ask them each morning before you commit. Weather in Hurghada at Christmas rewards flexible schedules more than precise ones.

Weather in Hurghada at Christmas by Area

Hurghada is a long coastal strip and the weather feels slightly different across it. The air temperature varies little but the exposure to wind does.

Downtown and Dahar

Slightly cooler and busier, with the old market and local cafes. Good if you want street life and do not mind a layer in the evening.

El Mamsha and Sheraton Road

The central tourist strip. Beaches here are protected in places and open in others, so check the hotel's beach exposure before booking.

Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh

South of the city, with large resorts and calmer bays. These areas are popular for family Christmas stays and many hotels run festive programmes. If you bring children, check whether Makadi Water World is operating on your dates, since water parks adjust their winter schedules.

Soma Bay and El Gouna

Soma Bay is windy, which suits kitesurfers more than sunbathers. El Gouna to the north has a lagoon setting, a marina and plenty of evening options. For ideas see Red Sea holidays Egypt.

Hurghada Weather Christmas Week by Week

Weather is stable across December, but the feel of the town changes. Use these dates as a guide:

• December 1 to 14: Quiet beaches and good value
• December 15 to 21: Resorts begin Christmas decorations and bookings rise
• December 22 to 26: Christmas Eve gala dinners and the busiest days
• December 27 to 31: New Year programmes and high prices
• January 7: Coptic Christmas, observed locally and in Cairo

If you can choose, mid December gives nearly identical Hurghada weather Christmas week conditions with fewer crowds and lower rates. See holidays to Egypt in December and our Christmas and New Year Egypt Tour Packages. For a comparison with the month before, read Hurghada Egypt weather in november and Hurghada in november.

What to Do on Rainless but Windy Days

Christmas at the Red Sea is not only about the beach. These options hold up whatever the wind does:

• Indoor: The Grand Aquarium and the museum for a calm half day
• Family: Mini Egypt Park for models of famous monuments
• Wellness: A Turkish Bath to warm up after a cool morning
• Sea views: A Glass Boat or SeaScope for people who do not want to swim
• Fun: A Pirates Boat cruise with music and swim stops
• Desert: A Camel Ride at sunset

All our options sit under Hurghada Tours and Excursions.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on the Red Sea

Hurghada does not do snowy markets or street parades. Christmas here is mostly a resort affair, and the weather shapes how it feels.

Hotel Gala Dinners

Many larger resorts decorate the lobby and host a Christmas Eve buffet with live music, and some add kids club events. Terraces and beachside tables are popular, but cool evenings mean you will want a jacket if you eat outside. Ask your hotel whether the dinner is indoors, outdoors or both. Weather in Hurghada at Christmas is dry, so the real question is wind and not rain.

Christmas Day Itself

Tourist services run as normal on 25 December. Boats leave, diving centres open and desert tours operate. A good plan is a morning on the water, a long lunch and a quiet evening. Because Christmas Day falls near the peak of the season, book boat trips ahead rather than on the day.

Coptic Christmas and Local Life

Coptic Christmas falls on 7 January and is the national holiday. In Hurghada it is quieter than in Cairo but local churches hold services. If you want to experience the tradition properly, a Cairo extension to Coptic Cairo fits well.

Hurghada Weather Christmas Week Versus Sharm and Marsa Alam

Many travellers compare Red Sea towns before booking. The air temperatures are close, so the differences come from exposure, crowds and character:

• Hurghada: The most choice, a lively marina and easy day trips to Luxor
• Sharm El Sheikh: Similar temperatures, strong reefs and a resort feel. Read Sharm el Sheikh in november for a seasonal comparison
• Marsa Alam: Quieter and more reef focused, further from the city. See Marsa Alam in november

If you want choice and nightlife, Hurghada wins. If you want calm and nature, look at Marsa Alam Trips.

Comfort Tips for Swimming at Christmas in Hurghada

The sea is warm enough but the air is cooler than it was in autumn. These small habits make a big difference:

• Swim in the late morning: The sun is highest and the wind is often lightest
• Keep a towel and a dry layer within reach: The moment you leave the water the air feels cold
• Use sunscreen anyway: UV is moderate in December and reflects off water
• Wear a rash vest on boat days: It adds warmth and protects shoulders
• Hydrate: Dry air and wind hide how much you lose

Following these steps turns Hurghada Christmas weather from a minor worry into a real advantage. The water is clear, the beach is not crowded and the air is gentle.

Add a Day Trip to Ancient Egypt

Christmas weather in the south and Cairo is cooler than the coast, so a day trip works better in winter than in summer. Luxor is about four hours by road, so most guests take an early start or stay a night, and its Valley of The Kings is comfortable at this time of year. See Luxor Tours and Excursions. For Cairo, the Pyramids of Giza are best reached by a short flight. Dress in layers because both cities are cooler than Hurghada.

Combine the Coast with the Nile

For a longer holiday, split your time between sea and river. Look at a Hurghada Nile cruise, a Nile cruise and Hurghada stay or Cairo Nile cruise and Hurghada. For other pairings see Egypt two centre holidays.

What to Pack for Weather in Hurghada at Christmas

Use this as a bag test. If an item does not help at 7 am, 1 pm or 8 pm, leave it at home.

• Daytime: Light cotton shirts and shorts for 22 to 24°C afternoons
• Evenings: A sweater or light jacket for 12 to 18°C nights
• Wind layer: A thin windproof jacket for boats and breezy beaches
• Swim kit: Swimsuit, rash vest and a quick dry towel
• Sea shoes: Reef shoes for rocky entries and coral
• Sun kit: Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
• Desert kit: A scarf and closed shoes for safari days
• Optional: A thin wetsuit if you chill easily

Skip heavy coats and umbrellas. Rain is rare, and the cold you will meet is a cool evening and not a winter freeze.

Who Will Enjoy Hurghada at Christmas?

• Sun seekers: Yes, if they accept mild and not hot weather
• Divers and snorkellers: Strong choice for clear water
• Families: Good, with heated pools and festive kids programmes
• Couples: Quiet evenings and calm beaches
• Snow lovers: No, this is a warm weather Christmas
• Travellers who want parades and fireworks: Limited, since celebrations are mostly hotel based

For tailored formats see Egypt family holidays, couples holidays in Egypt and luxury Egypt holidays. Prefer a quiet pool without children? Look at Egypt holidays adults only. For the wider season see Egypt winter holidays.

Four Mistakes People Make with Hurghada Christmas Weather

1. Expecting summer heat: At 23°C it is warm, not hot
2. Ignoring the wind: It shapes boat days more than the temperature does
3. Forgetting a night layer: Evenings can fall to the low teens
4. Booking one hotel without checking the beach: Exposure to wind varies by resort

If the Weather Does This, We Do That

Every Christmas guest asks us the same thing in a different form: what if it is not perfect? So here is how we answer, as a short playbook you can keep.

• If the sea is calm and 24°C: Go to Giftun Island at 9 am and add Orange Bay if the group wants a second stop
• If the wind picks up after breakfast: Swap the boat for the aquarium and a long lunch, then move the boat to the next morning
• If the evening turns cool: Move dinner to a covered terrace and bring the jacket
• If the sky is clear and the air is crisp: Add a desert safari and a camel ride at sunset
• If you want temple weather as well: Take the early road to Luxor and return the next day

Tell us which version sounds like your week. Send your dates on WhatsApp and we will build the plan around the forecast. Prefer to sketch it first? Open Plan Tailor-Made Egypt Trip and note the activities you care about. Ready made options are in our Egypt Tour Packages.

FAQs about Weather in Hurghada at Christmas

What is the weather in Hurghada at Christmas?

Expect sunny days of 22 to 24°C, cool nights near 12°C and almost no rain. The sea is about 24°C and the north wind can make boats feel cooler.

Is Hurghada Christmas weather warm enough for the beach?

Yes, on most days. The beach is pleasant in the afternoon sun, but the wind can make it feel cooler, so choose a sheltered spot and bring a light layer.

Can you swim in the sea at Christmas in Hurghada?

Yes. The Red Sea is around 24 to 25°C. A rash vest or thin wetsuit makes longer swims and snorkel trips more comfortable.

Does it rain in Hurghada at Christmas?

Very rarely. December usually brings only one to four millimetres of rain across the whole month, often on a single day.

How cold are the nights in Hurghada weather Christmas week?

Nights are usually around 12 to 13°C, so a sweater or light jacket is enough. Desert trips feel colder after sunset.

What should I pack for weather in Hurghada at Christmas?

Light daywear, a sweater or jacket for evenings, a windproof layer for boats, swimwear, a rash vest and sun protection.

Is Hurghada busy at Christmas?

It is busier from around 22 December through New Year. Mid December offers nearly the same weather with fewer crowds and lower prices.