The Marine Life of Hurghada: A Month-by-Month Guide

Water Temperature: 22–24°C

Visibility: 20–30 meters

Weather: Air temps range from 16–22°C with light winds and little rainfall

Marine Life: Winter brings calm seas and excellent visibility. Batfish are commonly seen hovering under the boats at Marsa Abu Galawa. You might also encounter moray eels peeking from crevices and stingrays resting on sandy bottoms at Sachwa Abu Galawa. It’s a quieter time, great for those seeking peaceful diving and macro photography opportunities.

Water Temperature: 22–24°C

Visibility: 20–30 meters

Weather: Slightly warmer than January with daytime highs around 20–23°C

Marine Life: Large Napoleon wrasse become more active in open reef areas like Gota Abu Ramada. Glassfish schools shimmer around coral heads, and lionfish are especially photogenic. This is still a great month for those who prefer cooler, clearer conditions.

Water Temperature: 23–24°C

Visibility: 15–25 meters

Weather: Air temperatures begin to rise, reaching 22–26°C

Marine Life: Reef life starts to stir. Cleaner shrimp and gobies are active, and you may spot the elusive Spanish Dancer nudibranch during daylight at Fanadir South. Octopus are more visible now, using changing colors and textures to blend into the reef.

Water Temperature: 24–25°C

Visibility: 15–25 meters

Weather: Milder temperatures with highs around 26–30°C

Marine Life: Butterflyfish, parrotfish, and goatfish are common on the reef slopes, especially around Fanadir North. Wrasses begin to exhibit mating colors. Reef activity picks up, making this an excellent month for colorful reef photography.

Water Temperature: 25–26°C

Visibility: 15–20 meters

Weather: Warm and sunny with average highs of 30–32°C

Marine Life: Schools of anthias and bannerfish swarm the reef tops at Gota Abu Ramada. Juvenile reef fish are increasingly visible. This is also a good month to observe territorial behaviors in some species as the breeding season approaches.

Water Temperature: 26–28°C

Visibility: 15–20 meters

Weather: Air temps can reach 34–36°C with long, sunny days

Marine Life: Titan triggerfish begin nesting, especially in sandy areas near reef patches. Picasso triggerfish and puffers are active, and you may get a lucky sighting of a turtle around Sabrina. The reefs are full of life, but divers should be aware of increased aggression from nesting fish.

Water Temperature: 28–30°C

Visibility: 15–20 meters

Weather: Hot, often above 36°C during the day

Marine Life: This is peak nesting season for Titan triggerfish, so watch for warning signs and keep your distance. Fusiliers school in the blue, and anthias fill the shallows. Macro life is also active, making it a versatile month for all dive styles.

Water Temperature: 28–30°C

Visibility: 15–20 meters

Weather: Similar to July—hot, dry, and very sunny

Marine Life: Summer biodiversity peaks. You’ll see everything from puffers and wrasses to reef jacks and parrotfish. Small Giftun offers great drift dives this time of year. The warm waters also attract more snorkelers, so dive early to enjoy calm, uncrowded sites.

Water Temperature: 28–29°C

Visibility: 20–25 meters

Weather: Beginning to cool slightly with highs around 32–34°C

Marine Life: Dolphins are more frequently spotted around Fanous East and West. You might even hear them underwater. Reef sharks are rarely seen but occasionally appear during this month. Juvenile fish grow more active, and the reefs seem to sparkle in the late summer sun.

Water Temperature: 27–28°C

Visibility: 20–30 meters

Weather: Comfortable and less humid, around 28–32°C

Marine Life: Cleaner wrasse and shrimp stations are busy with fish lining up for their turn. Angelfish and clownfish are especially colorful, and Gota Abu Ramada’s reef is thriving. Great month for both wide-angle and macro photography.

Water Temperature: 25–27°C

Visibility: 20–30 meters

Weather: Pleasant, with highs between 26–30°C

Marine Life: Juvenile reef fish and coral crabs are abundant, making this a fantastic month for spotting smaller creatures. Fanadir North is ideal for patient observation dives, where everything from nudibranchs to flatworms can be found.

Water Temperature: 23–25°C

Visibility: 20–30 meters

Weather: Mild, 22–26°C during the day, cooler in the evenings

Marine Life: A return to winter conditions brings clearer water and the possibility of encountering stonefish and scorpionfish. These well-camouflaged species blend into rocky ledges and coral heads—be sure to look closely (but don’t touch!). Batfish and morays are also regularly seen.