Short answer: the best months for hiking from Dahab are October to April. October, November, March and April are the sweet spot, with days of 25-30 °C. December to February are cooler (about 20 °C by day in Dahab, close to freezing at night up in the Saint Catherine mountains) and great for long walks if you pack warm layers. June to September is hot, 33-35 °C on the coast, so keep hikes short and early.
Dahab sits on the Red Sea at sea level, but most of our hikes go inland into the mountains and canyons of South Sinai, and Saint Catherine is 1,586 m up. So you are really planning for two climates: the warm coast and the much cooler high desert. The figures below are long-term averages.
Dahab and Saint Catherine weather by month
| Month | Dahab day / night | Sea | Saint Catherine day / night | Hiking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20 / 12 °C | 22 °C | 14 / 2 °C | Good, warm layers |
| February | 22 / 13 °C | 22 °C | 15 / 2 °C | Good, warm layers |
| March | 25 / 16 °C | 22 °C | 19 / 6 °C | Excellent |
| April | 28 / 19 °C | 22 °C | 24 / 10 °C | Excellent |
| May | 32 / 22 °C | 24 °C | 28 / 14 °C | Good, start early |
| June | 34 / 25 °C | 25 °C | 31 / 16 °C | Hot: short, early |
| July | 35 / 27 °C | 27 °C | 32 / 18 °C | Hot: short, early |
| August | 35 / 27 °C | 27 °C | 32 / 18 °C | Hot: short, early |
| September | 33 / 25 °C | 27 °C | 31 / 16 °C | Hot: short, early |
| October | 30 / 22 °C | 26 °C | 26 / 12 °C | Excellent |
| November | 25 / 18 °C | 25 °C | 20 / 7 °C | Excellent |
| December | 21 / 14 °C | 23 °C | 16 / 4 °C | Good, warm layers |
Sources: climate-data.org (Dahab, 1999-2019) and the Saint Catherine climate record. Rain is rare all year: Dahab gets only a few millimetres a month, mostly between October and March.
October and November: the season opens
The heat breaks, the sea is still 25-26 °C and the canyons are comfortable all day. This is when full days like the Colored Canyon or a night under the stars at Khudra Oasis feel easy. Swim after the hike: the water is at its warmest.
December to February: cool days, cold nights
Days in Dahab are around 20 °C, perfect for long walks. Up in the mountains it is a different story: Saint Catherine drops to about 2 °C at night, and the summit of Moses Mountain (2,285 m) is colder still, and snow falls on the high peaks some winter days. That is one reason our Moses Mountain trip is usually a day hike; prefer to climb for sunrise? Tell us, and we will plan it around your group. For desert camps, bring a warm jacket and a hat; the stars are worth it.
Winter is also when the short rains come. A real downpour is rare, but when it happens the dry valleys fill with pools and small waterfalls for a few days. Our Double Well hike is announced only after the rain, to catch exactly that.
March to May: spring in the desert
Warm days, mild nights and long daylight: March and April are as good as Sinai gets. By May the coast passes 30 °C, so hikes start early and finish before the worst of the afternoon heat.
June to September: the hot months
Dahab reaches 33-35 °C and the rock in the canyons holds the heat. This is the season for the sea: the water is 25-27 °C and the reef is at its best. If you want to walk, pick short routes close to town, leave at first light and carry more water than you think you need (at least 3 litres per person for a half day). Long desert days are hard work in summer.
What to pack, whatever the month
- Shoes with grip: trail shoes or light boots (the canyons have smooth, slippery rock).
- A hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen: the sun is strong even in January.
- Water: 2-3 litres for a day hike, more in summer.
- A warm layer from November to March, and a proper jacket for desert nights and Moses Mountain.
- A swimsuit: many days end at the sea.
- Your passport: there are checkpoints on the way to most trailheads.
Plan your dates
Our group trips run on a fixed weekend calendar, so you can plan around them: see every upcoming date on the trip calendar. Staying for the winter? Our homes in Dahab are 15% off for a week and 35% off for a month. And if you are still working out the journey, start with how to get to Dahab.
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Dahab?
For hiking, October, November, March and April: warm days (25-30 °C), comfortable nights and a warm sea. For diving and beach days, the sea is warmest from July to October (26-27 °C).
Is Dahab too hot in summer?
Days reach 33-35 °C from June to September. It is fine for the sea and short early walks, but long desert hikes are tough in that heat.
Is Dahab cold in winter?
Not on the coast: about 20 °C by day and 12-14 °C at night. Inland it is colder: Saint Catherine averages about 2 °C at night in January and February, and snow falls on the high peaks some winters.
Does it rain in Dahab?
Very little: a few millimetres a month, mostly between October and March. When a rare downpour comes, the valleys briefly fill with pools and waterfalls.
Can you swim in Dahab in winter?
Yes. The sea stays at about 21-23 °C even in January and February. Many people wear a wetsuit for longer snorkels.