The Red Sea in March
Spring arrives, the land warms fast and the sea has not caught up yet. One of the best-value months on the coast.
Air, daytime
25–27°C
Air, night
14–16°C
Sea
around 22°C
March is the turn. Days become properly warm, evenings stop needing a jacket, and the coast starts filling. The sea is still at its winter temperature, which catches people out — the air says June and the water says February.
For everything except long swims this is an excellent month: comfortable for excursions, warm enough to sit out, and cheaper than what follows.
The kitesurf season begins to build as the prevailing northerly settles in, which is why the wind spots start getting busy now.
Wind, crowds and prices
- Wind
- Picking up as the season turns — good for kitesurfers, mixed for boats.
- Crowds
- Building slowly; Easter can fall late in the month and changes everything.
- Prices
- Good value until Easter, then a spike.
Good for
- Value before Easter
- Kitesurfing as the wind returns
- Excursions in comfortable heat
In the water
The sea is still at its winter low while the air has moved on, which catches people out — it looks like a swimming month from the balcony and does not feel like one from the ladder. A 5mm suit for diving, and a wetsuit or rash vest for any long snorkel. Visibility remains excellent as the plankton has not yet arrived.
How long the days are
Twelve hours, even. The equinox lands mid-month, and from here the days are longer than the nights until September. It is the first month where a boat can comfortably fit three dives and still have you back before dark.
The catch
Easter. If it falls in March, prices and occupancy jump for the fortnight around it, and the difference between the week before and the week of can be substantial.
Or the month either side
April is the same trip with the sea two degrees warmer and the wind more reliable, and it is the better month for almost everyone except people avoiding Easter. February is three degrees cooler in the air with the same cold sea, so going earlier buys you nothing. If March is your only option, it is a very good land month and a mediocre water one.
Typical Hurghada figures, rounded. Marsa Alam runs a couple of degrees warmer. Last reviewed 26 July 2026. Something off?