Month guide · Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh in May
What May is really like in Sharm El Sheikh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eslam maalky.22, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Sharm El Sheikh. Expect average highs of 33°C (91°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. Hot and sunny with warming water; good conditions for diving and fewer crowds before summer.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 33°C (91°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Sharm El Sheikh: days average 33°C (91°F) against a yearly average high of 30°C (86°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with April (29°C (84°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 36°C (97°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:53
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 19:25
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Spring (March–May). Warm, sunny days, calm seas and comfortable desert excursions; Easter weeks are busy.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 for crowds (the peak is March at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in December). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Sharm El Sheikh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · Sharm El Maya and Old Market
Al Sahaba Mosque
Visitors can view the exterior at any time; dress modestly and ask before entering outside prayer times.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- After dark
Nature · Hadaba and Ras Um Sid
Ras Um Sid reef
Below the Hadaba cliffs, the reefs of Ras Um Sid and the neighbouring Temple pinnacles have some of the best shore snorkelling in Sharm, with sea fans, gorgonians and plenty of reef fish in clear water.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Nabq Bay
Nabq Protected Area
Go with a tour that includes snorkelling at the reef by the mangroves; the reef is less visited than those near the resorts.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Sinai desert
Desert safari and Bedouin evening
Organised trips take visitors by quad bike, jeep or camel into the desert valleys behind Sharm, typically ending at a Bedouin camp with sweet tea, bread baked over a fire and a view of the stars.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Kids
- After dark
- Outdoors
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Sharm El Sheikh.
What to pack
For highs near 33°C, lows near 23°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
One of the best months to visit Sharm El Sheikh. The other best months are March–April and October–November. Compare every month.
Sharm El Sheikh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
It is one of the best months to visit Sharm El Sheikh. Hot and sunny with warming water; good conditions for diving and fewer crowds before summer.
+How warm is Sharm El Sheikh in May?
Average highs are around 33°C (91°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sharm El Sheikh in May?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.