Is it warm enough to swim in Sharm El Sheikh in mid-December?

In one traveler’s report from the previous December, sea temperature was +26.5°C on arrival and +25.7°C by December 22, which was comfortable for swimming.

For diving in the first half of December, one report says the water is slightly warmer than in early April; a 5 mm wetsuit should be more than sufficient.

For mid-December, avoid the Nabq Bay area: it is described as windy, which can make getting out of the water uncomfortable after swimming. Choose a sheltered bay instead.

For a gradual sandy entry into the sea, a recent reply recommends Tucana. According to that report, the sea is still warm in early December and the wind is noticeable but manageable.

One commenter warns that hotels usually have only 1-2 heated pools, so they get crowded. Also, Sharm is a windy place, and while wind is a plus in summer, in December strong wind near the pool can be a real downside.

Another commenter argues that the real 'velvet season' is mid-to-late November, not December — by December winds and storms set in, making conditions uncomfortable.

A recent traveler recommends choosing the sheltered Sharks Bay area for December swimming: near the wooden pier, the sea is usually perceived as warm and there is little wind. For a warmer, drier room in winter, they suggest buildings on the right-hand side that get sunshine.

A recent traveler report says that even in late December, around the 20th of the month, the weather can still be good enough for swimming and sunbathing. However, evenings get cold, so it’s smart to pack a sweater or a light jacket in addition to beachwear.

Another current reply says early December in Sharm El Sheikh is often very comfortable, with the sea still warm. A practical benchmark mentioned for sea temperature is about 22°C or higher, which is generally fine for swimming.

The original question was specifically about mid-December, and the overall takeaway from the replies is that swimming is usually possible, but conditions vary from year to year. If you want a safer option for warm water, choose a hotel with a heated pool and sauna.