When is the best time to visit Sinai?

The most comfortable beach months are March, April, and November, averaging 24–32°C by day. In summer daytime averages reach 39°C, and in winter nights drop to 12°C.

How hot is Sinai in summer?

From May to September average daytime temperatures range from 36°C to 39°C along the coast, and nights from 26°C to 29°C.

Is Sinai cold in winter?

December–February days are pleasant, 22–23°C on average, but nights drop to 12–16°C. Bring a warm sleeping bag and layers for a hut.

When is the Taba crossing closed?

On Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha. In 2027 Yom Kippur falls on 11 October and Eid al-Adha is expected around 17 May. The Israel Airports Authority publishes the exact closing hours close to the date.

Is Hanukkah a good time for Sinai?

Hanukkah 2026 runs 4–12 December. December days are pleasant on the beach, but nights are cold and the sea is cooler, so bring a warm sleeping bag for a hut. At Hanukkah 2024 most Israelis who went stayed in hotels in Dahab, Sharm and Taba.

When is Passover 2027, and what does it mean for Sinai?

The Seder is on 21 April 2027 and the holiday runs until 28 April. It's the busiest week of the year at the crossing, so book early and leave early in the morning.

Guide · When to go

When to go to Sinai: weather, holidays and border crowds

How the weather changes along the coast month by month, when holidays fill the Taba crossing and when it's closed – so you can pick the right dates.

Last checked: October 6, 2026

Season by season

Spring · March–April
28–30°C by day · 17–20°C at night
The most comfortable beach season – and Passover falls right here, so it's also the busiest at the crossing.
Summer · May–September
36–39°C by day · 26–29°C at night
Very hot by day, with the sea at its best. An air-conditioned room or a hut on the water with a breeze makes all the difference.
Camps with A/C
Autumn · October–November
29–32°C by day · 20–23°C at night
The heat breaks and the sea is still warm from summer. The Jewish holidays fill the coast in October.
Winter · December–February
22–23°C by day · 12–16°C at night
Pleasant days and cold nights. Bring a warm sleeping bag and a sweater for a hut; the sea is cooler.
Winter packing list

Weather by month

Average day and night temperatures in three areas along the coast. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for the beach, averaging 24–32°C by day.

Month	Nuweiba	Dahab	Sharm el-Sheikh
January	21° / 13°	22° / 14°	22° / 13°
February	22° / 14°	23° / 15°	24° / 14°
March · comfortable beach month	25° / 16°	26° / 18°	27° / 17°
April · comfortable beach month	30° / 20°	30° / 22°	32° / 21°
May	34° / 24°	34° / 26°	36° / 25°
June	37° / 27°	37° / 29°	39° / 28°
July	38° / 29°	38° / 30°	40° / 29°
August	38° / 29°	38° / 31°	40° / 29°
September	35° / 27°	36° / 29°	38° / 28°
October	31° / 23°	32° / 25°	34° / 24°
November · comfortable beach month	26° / 19°	28° / 21°	29° / 20°
December	22° / 15°	24° / 16°	24° / 15°

Holidays and long weekends

Upcoming holidays and how they affect the crossing. Muslim holidays depend on the moon and may move by a day.

Hanukkah
December 4 – 12, 2026
School Hanukkah break. Pleasant days and cold nights – at Hanukkah 2024 most Israelis who went stayed in hotels in Dahab, Sharm and Taba.
Eid al-Fitr
March 10 – 12, 2027(expected)
The end of Ramadan. A big holiday in Egypt and in Israel's Arab community, so expect crowds at the crossing and on the beaches.
Passover
April 21 – 28, 2027
The busiest week of the year at the crossing: in normal years 30,000–40,000 Israelis cross at Passover. Book early and leave early in the morning.
Eid al-Adha
May 16 – 19, 2027(expected)
Crossing closes for about a day
The crossing closes for about a day, at times the Egyptian terminal announces close to the date. For Eid al-Adha 2025 about 40,000 Israelis were expected, with waits of up to 3 hours.
Shavuot
June 10 – 11, 2027
A long weekend at the start of summer. Days are already very hot, so an air-conditioned room is worth it.
Jewish High Holidays and Sukkot
October 1 – 23, 2027
Crossing closes for about a day
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. The crossing is closed on Yom Kippur, 11 October, and the lines are long over Sukkot.

Crowds at the crossing over the holidays
Most of the holiday hassle happens at the border, not on the beach.
- Heads up
  Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha
  The crossing is closed on Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha. In 2026 it closed on Yom Kippur eve at 13:00 and reopened after the fast at 22:00. For Eid al-Adha the Egyptian terminal sets a closure of about a day.
- Info
  Lines at the start and end of a holiday
  At the start and end of holidays everyone crosses at the same hours, and the line can take several hours. If you can, leave a day before everyone else or come back a day after.
- Info
  Works on the access road
  Since June 2026 there have been works on the access road to the terminal, expected to last about 8 months and cause delays.
- Tip
  Book early
  Popular camps fill up over the holidays. Book your hut and driver ahead, and pay the Israeli fee online to skip a line.

FAQ

Temperatures are 2016–2025 averages, not a forecast. Holiday dates and closures come from public sources – check the Israel Airports Authority's updates before you go.

Sources (10)

When to go to Sinai: weather, holidays and border crowds

Season by season

Spring · March–April

Summer · May–September

Autumn · October–November

Winter · December–February

Weather by month

Holidays and long weekends

Hanukkah

Eid al-Fitr

Passover

Eid al-Adha

Shavuot

Jewish High Holidays and Sukkot

Crowds at the crossing over the holidays

Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha

Lines at the start and end of a holiday

Works on the access road

Book early