What is the weather like in Egypt in January and February, and is it warm enough for swimming?

According to a report from this hotel, February is usually uncomfortable for time by the sea. However, during one unusually favorable season, strong wind was a problem on only 2 of 9 days.

For winter swimming in Sahl Hasheesh Bay, check the sea entry: some hotels have a coral shelf and a long pontoon, while a sandy entry begins by Al Kasr.

A New Year stay report says there was virtually no wind at the beach or in the sea, with comfortable time by the water from about 8:00 to 16:30. It became cool after sunset, and the wind was more noticeable around the hotel grounds than by the sea.

Some travelers note that the number of heated pools at this hotel varies year to year: one year only one heated pool was open, another year there were two, including heated water slides. Heated pools were located near reception, at the cascade area, and a small one near the cottages.

Based on years of January-February trips, weather varies a lot from year to year: sometimes there's just 1 windy day during the whole stay, sometimes 3-5 windy days in a row. Once, several years ago, there was brief light rain (just a couple of minutes).

Trip report from January 11: sea water was 23°C, daytime was hot, and evenings were warm enough to walk around in t-shirts without feeling cold.

When picking a winter hotel, travelers suggest checking how sheltered the beach is: for example, Siwa has a more enclosed beach (though the hotel grounds are exposed to wind), while at Arabesque wind exposure is more hit-or-miss. A stay from November 20 was warm enough to swim comfortably in regular swimwear.

A New Year's stay at a nearby hotel: weather was excellent and guests spent most of the time swimming in the sea. Crowds were lighter than peak season but still noticeable.

Recent traveler feedback says February is often the coolest winter month in Egypt. Even if a hotel is in a sheltered bay, February is usually less comfortable for swimming than December.

In winter, some hotels only get crowded around New Year: for example, on January 1 the main restaurant may have lines because of domestic holidaymakers, while the rest of the stay feels much quieter. This also suggests winter is generally less busy in hotels.

If you are planning a winter trip, expect daytime temperatures in January to be around 25°C, but evenings can feel cold. If swimming matters to you, daytime air temperature alone is not enough — wind and water temperature matter a lot.

For a February trip, travelers recommend choosing hotels with more than one heated pool. In cool and windy weather, that makes a big difference if the sea feels too cold.

This year’s feedback suggests that strong wind can also spoil swimming in spring: in April it made both the sea and even the pool uncomfortable. If you are sensitive to wind, some hotels and regions may be a poor choice not only in winter but also in early spring.

If you want more reliable weather, travelers suggest going before December 10. After that, cloudy days become more common, wind tends to pick up, and getting into and out of the water feels much less comfortable.

Based on January travel experience, winter mornings in Egypt feel cool, daytime is fine in the sun, and evenings get noticeably colder. The sea also feels chilly, so January is not ideal for everyone, especially if your main goal is a beach holiday.