Sharm El Sheikh vs Marsa Alam: which is sunnier?
🇪🇬 Egypt vs 🇪🇬 Egypt · 270 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)
Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam are virtually tied for annual sunshine — about 3,742 vs 3,782 hours a year. Sharm El Sheikh has the higher Sunshine Score in 7 of 12 months; the other 5 are within 2 points.
Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.
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At a glance
| Sharm El Sheikh | Marsa Alam | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine hours / year | 3,742 | 3,782 |
| Sunniest month | January (100/100) | January (100/100) |
| Nov–Feb average score | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Jun–Aug average score | 33/100 | 0/100 |
| Rain / year | 14 mm | 4 mm |
| Warmest sea | 31°C / 88°F | 31°C / 88°F |
| Peak midday UV | 11 (extreme) | 11 (extreme) |
Sharm El Sheikh vs Marsa Alam month by month
| Month | Sunshine Score | Day high °C | Rain mm | Sea °C | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharm El Sheikh | Marsa Alam | Sharm El Sheikh | Marsa Alam | Sharm El Sheikh | Marsa Alam | Sharm El Sheikh | Marsa Alam | |
| January | 100 | 100 | 22° | 24° | 2 | 1 | 25° | 24° |
| February | 100 | 100 | 24° | 27° | 2 | 0 | 23° | 23° |
| March | 99 | 100 | 27° | 30° | 4 | 1 | 23° | 23° |
| April | 100 | 70 | 31° | 35° | 1 | 0 | 25° | 24° |
| May | 70 | 30 | 35° | 39° | 0 | 0 | 26° | 25° |
| June | 40 | 0 | 38° | 42° | 0 | 0 | 29° | 28° |
| July | 30 | 0 | 39° | 43° | 0 | 0 | 31° | 31° |
| August | 30 | 0 | 39° | 43° | 0 | 0 | 31° | 31° |
| September | 50 | 20 | 37° | 40° | 0 | 0 | 29° | 30° |
| October | 80 | 60 | 34° | 36° | 2 | 2 | 28° | 28° |
| November | 100 | 100 | 29° | 30° | 2 | 0 | 26° | 26° |
| December | 100 | 100 | 24° | 25° | 1 | 0 | 24° | 24° |
The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr Sharm El Sheikh · May Sharm El Sheikh · Jun Sharm El Sheikh · Jul Sharm El Sheikh · Aug Sharm El Sheikh · Sep Sharm El Sheikh · Oct Sharm El Sheikh · Nov even · Dec even.
When to pick which
- November–February: too close to call — Sharm El Sheikh averages 100/100, Marsa Alam 100/100. Marsa Alam is the warmer, around 27°C daytime highs vs 25°C. See the winter sun ranking.
- March–May: Sharm El Sheikh (average score 90/100 vs 67). Marsa Alam is the warmer, around 35°C daytime highs vs 31°C.
- June–August: Sharm El Sheikh (average score 33/100 vs 0). Marsa Alam is the warmer, around 43°C daytime highs vs 39°C.
- September–October: Sharm El Sheikh (average score 65/100 vs 40). Marsa Alam is the warmer, around 38°C daytime highs vs 36°C.
Sea temperature
Both seas peak at 31°C / 88°F. Swimmable water (21°C+): Sharm El Sheikh all year, Marsa Alam all year. Month-by-month sea temperatures are in the table above.
Full month-by-month guides: Sharm El Sheikh weather by month · Marsa Alam weather by month · Best time to visit Egypt.
More comparisons: Sharm El Sheikh vs Cairo · Sharm El Sheikh vs Giza · Sharm El Sheikh vs Tabuk · Marsa Alam vs Tabuk · Marsa Alam vs Luxor · Marsa Alam vs Sohag · all head-to-heads