Winter weather in the Red Sea

[Happypig]

I'm thinking of a trip early next year, can anyone tell me what the weather is like at that time of year (or more precisely the sea conditions for boat diving) ?

[pugwash]

I have dived regularly in the Red Sea in January, February and March as there are some good deals at that time of the year. :D

I dive in a 3mm wet suit with a hood as the water temperature is about 20-21 celsius. From what I read on the various diving forums, most people go for a 5-7mm wet or semi dry suit. :mad:

The wind blows mainly from the north and may add to your discomfort after the dive when you're de-kitting. So get into clothing such as track-suit bottoms and top as quick as you can, then you can attend to sorting your gear out ready for the next dive in relative comfort.

Remember that your wet suit will not have dried out before the following dive so it will be cold and damp/wet. :eek:

The sea state will be variable from calm to so choppy. Be aware that the boat skipper may not want to keep to the agreed itinary due to the sea state. His decision will be for your own good. Also, make sure that your kit is stowed securely as you would not want to see it disappear off the end of the boat during a heavy swell.

Although it may be relatively cool for Egypt at that time of the year, still drink plenty of water. You can always wash your wet-suit out after each dive without too much embarrassment.

Hope that the above answers most of your questions.

[Happypig]

Thanks for the info. Getting cold when de-kitting and kitting up I can handle but
The sea state will be variable from calm to so choppy.
A choppy sea doesn't sound so good (I suffer with sea-sickness).

[Eddie Clamp]

I'm thinking of a trip early next year, can anyone tell me what the weather is like at that time of year (or more precisely the sea conditions for boat diving) ?


Weather in the Red Sea in the early year? Slightly changeable but mostly wonderful for diving :)

Are you going for day diving or liveaboard?

Good luck in your search. If you haven't researched our BSAC Travel website on the area - here would be a great place to start:

http://www.bsac.com/findit.asp?cat=tripreports&section=0001000100150047&view=list&glat=&glng=&gzoom=&keyword=Red+Sea&submit.x=64&submit.y=12

[pugwash]

Thanks for the info. Getting cold when de-kitting and kitting up I can handle but

A choppy sea doesn't sound so good (I suffer with sea-sickness).

So does my wife but taking anti sea sick tablets keeps her food in her tummy instead of over the dive deck:rolleyes:

[Dale]

The wind chill at Dahab during Christmas and New Year was quite bad after a dive but the sea was 18°C so my 3mm was ok with a hooded vest. If I had taken my camera then I would have taken my membrane dry bag and a fleece as it gets cold when not moving around.

[Roz]

Mr Roz went for a boys week away on February. (Actually it was really a fortnight and I was told this as he walked out the door). I did suggest to him and the guys he was diving with to pack their drysuits. They didn't. Part way through the first week, they couriered over their drysuits, which made it all the way to Sharm, were not delivered and came back to the UK, whilst the men got cold. If you have a membrane, it's worth taking. It's not the water temperature - the wind can cut you to the bone.

[Richard Whitcombe]

"red sea" is a big place and the weather can vary massively depending on where.

But expect some wind in most places and air temp in the low 20s. Water could be 20c or lower so id say drysuit is essential as is a fleece for the surface.