Sharm El Sheikh in May

In May, Sharm El Sheikh averages 36°C (96°F) during the day and 25°C (76°F) at night, with only about 1 rainy day.

Shoulder

Conditions are very hot — early-morning and evening sightseeing recommended. Skies are generally dry and clear.

May in Sharm El Sheikh is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

36°C
Avg high
25°C
Avg low
1
Rain days
1 mm
Rainfall

How May compares to the rest of the year in Sharm El Sheikh

5th
warmest month of the 12
6th
wettest month of the 12
5%
of yearly rainfall falls in May
13 h 31 min
daylight on the 15th

May is in the middle of the year for warmth in Sharm El Sheikh (5th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (6th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C above the annual average (32°C). May runs 4°C warmer than April (32°C) and warms a further 3°C into June (38°C).

May sunrise & sunset in Sharm El Sheikh

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:53 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:24 PM
Day length
13 h 31 min

Times shown for Sharm El Sheikh local time (Africa/Cairo), calculated for the 15th of May. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Sharm El Sheikh — May

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of May, in Sharm El Sheikh's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:53 AM – 5:33 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:33 AM – 6:33 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:44 PM – 7:44 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:44 PM – 8:24 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Good
Galactic core is up but lower on the horizon; head well outside city limits for a clean view.

📅 When to book — Sharm El Sheikh in May

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on May's tier (Shoulder) and Sharm El Sheikh's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

May in Egypt — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

🕌
Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr
Closures · high impact

Daylight fasting month. Many restaurants close until sunset, some attractions close midday, and Islamic countries change their pace dramatically. Eid (3 days after Ramadan ends) brings major travel surge.

Plan: Tourists can usually still find food, but dress modestly and avoid eating publicly during the day. Iftar (sunset meal) is a beautiful experience to plan for.

Crowds & pricing — May in Sharm El Sheikh

Shoulder

Sharm El Sheikh is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: beach-season conditions

Sun & mosquito risk — May in Sharm El Sheikh

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
12.8
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sharm El Sheikh in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 22°C / 72°F 12°C / 54°F 2 mm 2
February 24°C / 75°F 14°C / 57°F 3 mm 2
March 27°C / 80°F 17°C / 62°F 6 mm 2
April 32°C / 89°F 21°C / 69°F 1 mm 1
May 36°C / 96°F 25°C / 76°F 1 mm 1
June 38°C / 101°F 27°C / 80°F 0 mm 0
July 39°C / 103°F 28°C / 83°F 0 mm 0
August 40°C / 103°F 29°C / 83°F 0 mm 0
September 38°C / 100°F 27°C / 81°F 0 mm 0
October 33°C / 92°F 23°C / 74°F 2 mm 1
November 28°C / 83°F 19°C / 66°F 2 mm 2
December 24°C / 76°F 15°C / 59°F 3 mm 1

Other cities with similar May weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Sharm El Sheikh in May →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Sharm El Sheikh in May?

In May, Sharm El Sheikh averages a high of 36°C (96°F) and a low of 25°C (76°F) — generally hot.

Does it rain a lot in Sharm El Sheikh in May?

May is generally dry in Sharm El Sheikh, with about 1 rainy day on average.

Is May a good time to visit Sharm El Sheikh?

May is hot and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with hot weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Sharm El Sheikh in May?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full May packing list for Sharm El Sheikh for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Sharm El Sheikh on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.