Where there is less wind in Egypt in winter — one of the most important questions when choosing a resort and hotel. In December, January and February it can be warm in the sun, but after leaving the water a fresh wind noticeably changes how it feels.
You should look not only at stars and reviews. Comfort is affected by the area, the shape of the bay, the direction of the beach, protection by buildings, the depth near the shore and the possibility of swimming without a pontoon.
Why in winter not only the resort but the bay matters
The Red Sea remains attractive in winter too: on a clear day you can sunbathe, swim and go on excursions. However, air temperature is only part of the picture. On an open beach the wind cools wet skin faster, so the same thermometer readings at two neighboring hotels can feel completely different.
A sheltered bay, the hotel's buildings, natural relief and windbreak screens help make a beach more comfortable. But the expression "windless hotel" is relative: calm cannot be fully guaranteed in either Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh.
What increases discomfort
- an open coastline without natural protection;
- a long pontoon and waves beyond the outer edge of the reef;
- shallow water and noticeable low tides;
- spacious open ground by the beach;
- no heated pool.
What increases comfort
- a bay or lagoon sheltered by a cape;
- the ability to enter the water from the shore;
- a beach protected by buildings and screens;
- a short way from the room to the sea;
- a pool that is genuinely heated in winter.
Where it can be windy in Hurghada in winter
Hurghada stretches along an open coast, so the wind is felt here more often than in the closed bays of Sharm El Sheikh. This does not mean you cannot holiday in Hurghada in winter: calm sunny days occur regularly. It is just that the area and the layout of the beach matter more.
El Ahyaa in northern Hurghada
The El Ahyaa area is located on an open stretch of coast between Hurghada and El Gouna. In winter it is worth studying the beach of your chosen hotel especially carefully. This area includes, for example, SUNRISE Azalea Aqua Park Resort — the former Le Jardin, AMC Royal Hotel & Spa and Palm Beach Resort Hurghada.
A hotel's name alone does not determine the weather. Before booking, check whether there is a closed lagoon where you can swim at low tide, how far you have to walk to depth and whether the loungers are protected from the wind.
The Arabia area
At Arabia Azur Resort and Bel Air Azur have lagoons and areas that may be better protected than the open shore. At the same time on platforms jutting out to sea the wind is felt more strongly. So it is wrong to call the whole area equally windy or fully sheltered — it is important to look at the specific beach zone.
Large open complexes
On spacious grounds with a wide beach, as at large resort complexes, there may be no dense protection between the buildings and the sea. Tourists often consider as an example Titanic Palace. But you cannot draw a conclusion only from the size of the grounds: study fresh winter videos and reviews specifically about the beach, not the overall rating of the hotel.
Where to look for a more comfortable option in Hurghada: in Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh there are hotels in bays and with more sheltered beach areas. In Hurghada itself hotels with lagoons are convenient. But even there windy days are possible — the word "windless" should not be the only argument when buying a tour.
Our articles will help you compare beaches and accommodation options: best hotels in Hurghada, Hurghada beaches and weather in Hurghada by month.
Hurghada or Sharm in winter: a short comparison
| What we compare | Hurghada | Sharm El Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | An open flat coast, so the wind is often noticeable in winter. | Strongly depends on the bay: sheltered areas are more comfortable, Nabq Bay is more often open to the wind. |
| Entry into the sea | Many sandy beaches, lagoons and gentle entries. | In many hotels the entry to depth is possible only from a pontoon. |
| Snorkeling | House reefs are not everywhere; people often choose a sea excursion. | Many hotels have beautiful reefs, but access to them depends on the waves and the flag. |
| For a winter trip | Look for a lagoon, a sheltered beach and a heated pool. | First choose the bay, then the specific hotel and the type of entry into the sea. |
Conclusion: if you need a sandy entry, Hurghada or Makadi Bay is often more convenient. If the priority is a more sheltered bay and a reef, it is worth studying the areas of Sharm El Sheikh carefully. The choice of a specific beach matters more than the overall name of the resort.
How to choose a hotel in Egypt for winter
- Find the hotel on the map. See whether the beach is deep inside a bay or faces the open sea directly.
- Study fresh videos of the beach. Advertising photos do not show the pontoon length, the low tide and the real places for swimming.
- Read reviews from the same month. Summer experience says almost nothing about January wind.
- Check the entry into the sea. Find out whether you can swim from the shore when the pontoon is closed.
- Check pool heating. It is important to find out not only whether there is a pool but which one is heated and on which dates.
- Do not believe absolute promises. Wording such as "there is never wind" and "the sea is always open" does not match changeable weather.
A few days before the trip or a boat trip it is useful to check the official forecast of the World Meteorological Organization. For choosing a tour our checklist on hotels and holidays in Hurghada.
Where to compare hotel and tour prices
After choosing a bay and a few hotels, compare prices for the same dates.
Hotel only in Hurghada
Suitable if you have already bought tickets or are planning the trip yourself. Hurghada hotels can be filtered by price, area and reviews.
Hotel only in Sharm
Suitable if you have already bought tickets or are planning the trip yourself. Sharm El Sheikh hotels can be filtered by price, area and reviews.
Tour with flight
The search shows offers from tour operators in Moscow: dates, meals and hotel are chosen in one place.
What to do if the wind is strong on your holiday day
- choose a lounger behind a screen or closer to buildings that protect the beach;
- swim at the warmest time of day, not early in the morning;
- do not go out on the pontoon when the red flag is up and follow the lifeguards' instructions;
- reschedule a boat trip if the organizer offers a calmer date;
- plan a land excursion, a city walk or relaxing by a heated pool.
In winter it is convenient to alternate the sea with trips. Take a look at excursions from Hurghada or excursions from Sharm El Sheikh, and it is better to choose a sea program closer to the date according to the forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Where is there less wind in winter — in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh?
In the sheltered bays of Sharm El Sheikh it is usually easier to find shelter from the wind than on the open coast of Hurghada. But Nabq Bay can be very windy, and individual lagoons in Hurghada can be quite comfortable. You need to compare specific beaches.
What is the windiest month in Egypt?
Most often tourists feel the wind more in December, January and February, especially after swimming and towards evening. At the same time calm days occur in any winter month, so an exact forecast matters more than an average.
Is it true that Nabq Bay is not suitable for winter?
Not for everyone. Nabq may suit those for whom the grounds, service and price matter and swimming in the sea is not a daily priority. For snorkeling from a pontoon in winter, the risk of a red flag and waves must be taken into account in advance.
Can you swim in Hurghada in January?
Yes, many tourists swim. Comfort depends on the weather on the particular day, the water temperature, the wind strength and how sheltered the beach is. After leaving the sea, a big towel or a light wrap will come in handy.
How can you tell from a map whether a beach is sheltered?
Look for a beach inside a curved bay or lagoon sheltered by a cape and buildings. An open straight coastline is usually more exposed to the wind. Then confirm your conclusion with fresh winter videos and guest reviews.
Planning a winter holiday in Egypt?
Choose the area by the bay and the beach, and excursions by weather and interests. This way the wind will not spoil your holiday, even if one of the days turns out cooler.
