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Visiting Sharm el-Sheikh in May

BySunMed Guide

Visiting Sharm el-Sheikh in May

# Sharm el-Sheikh in May: What It’s Actually Like

Let me be straight with you: May is when Sharm starts getting properly hot. We’re talking daytime temperatures regularly hitting 38-40°C, and that’s not a pleasant breezy warm – that’s the kind of heat that makes you genuinely reconsider leaving your air-conditioned room around midday. The sea is beautifully warm by this point, hovering around 25-26°C, which is honestly one of the better arguments for going.

Rainfall is essentially a non-factor. Sharm barely sees any precipitation at the best of times, and May is reliably bone dry. You won’t be packing an umbrella.

**Crowds and atmosphere**

This is the interesting part. May sits in a sweet spot between the spring rush and the peak summer chaos. European school holidays haven’t kicked in yet, so you’re not fighting families for sunbeds. The resort is ticking along without feeling overwhelming, but everything is fully operational – restaurants, dive centres, excursions, the lot. Naama Bay has its usual mix of tourists, and Ras Mohammed National Park is completely accessible and worth doing.

**Is it worth going?**

For divers and snorkellers, honestly yes. The Red Sea visibility is excellent, the reefs don’t care about the temperature, and the slightly lower crowds mean dive boats feel less like rush-hour commutes. If you’re primarily a beach person who wants to lie in direct sun for hours, the heat will work against you more than you’d expect.

It’s less ideal if you wanted to actually explore beyond the resort. Walking around Old Market or any outdoor sightseeing feels genuinely punishing by 11am.

**Who it suits**

Couples without school-age children, divers, budget-conscious travellers catching lower prices before peak summer, and anyone who genuinely runs cold and wants to feel warm for once.

**One practical tip**

Book accommodation with a room facing away from the sun’s afternoon angle, or specifically request a shaded balcony. You’ll actually be able to use it in the evenings, which become genuinely lovely – warm, quiet, and worth every dirham.

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