Hi ya people,
I am trying to find out what weather \ tempreture might be like for snorkelling in the Red Sea in Egypt in Dec \ Jan. I am getting mixed information from guides but it seems it might be a bit too cold unless you have a wet suit.
Any feedback or tips if it is worth going ref places for fab snorkelling would be much appreciated
Simon
Hi
I worked in that area a couple of years ago and I have a picture of me in a fleece huddled under a gas heater at night! But I was acclimatised. The water temperature in December gets down to 18 degrees and really doesnt start warming up again until May
A good place to go is El Gouna check out www.divetribe.com
Timor Diver
Much too cold for snorkling in the Red Sea in Dec/Jan. It can be quite nice weather in the mornings, until about 2pm, but the water is freezing. I lived in Dahab for two years and the average surface water temp there, for that time of year, is about 21degrees. You wouldn't catch me in the water without a wetsuit.
I could usually bear the water by the end of February.
I agree that it can be chilly coming out of the water, especially in the afternoon. However, I don't see a problem in hiring a (shorty) wetsuit and still enjoy your snorkelling. I wouldn't call 21° water temperature freezing, either...
My partner & I have been to Egypt in Jan 4 times over the last few years, specifically for the snorkeling, and have never had a problem with water temp. We don't use wetsuits & would quite often stay out for over an hour before starting to feel any chill. Last time we went was Jan 2007 & that was the coldest time we've experienced but even then it was ok . We just shoved a t-shirt on & were fine. Go for it!