Sudan · Red Sea
Best time to dive Sudan Red Sea
Hammerheads at Sanganeb and other reefs are best January–April, with sightings from November; mantas August–November, most reliably September–October. Water is hottest (31–33 °C) June–September; November–February has the most unsettled surface conditions.
Peak season: December–April
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov medium · Dec medium · Jan medium · Feb medium · Mar medium · Apr medium · May medium · Jun low · Jul low · Aug low · Sep low · Oct low · Nov low · Dec low
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Macro life | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Coral & reef health | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Visibility | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Water temperature | 10 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Weather & sea state | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Operations & access | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Wreck diving | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Climate outlook
How this year's forecast differs from a typical year
- Coral & reef health -0.8 · Hotter summer after a strong El Niño raises bleaching risk (Jul 2027 – October 2027)
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 20–30 m |
| December 2026 | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 20–30 m |
| January 2027 | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 20–30 m |
| February 2027 | 25.0 °C (77 °F) | 20–30 m |
| March 2027 | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 25–35 m |
| April 2027 | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 25–35 m |
| May 2027 | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 25–35 m |
| June 2027 | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 20–30 m |
| July 2027 | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 20–30 m |
| August 2027 | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 20–30 m |
| September 2027 | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 20–30 m |
| October 2027 | 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 20–30 m |
| November 2027 | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 20–30 m |
| December 2027 | 26.5 °C (80 °F) | 20–30 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scalloped hammerhead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | ● | ● | ● | |||||
| manta ray | ● | Peak | Peak | ● | ||||||||
| grey reef shark | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| silvertip shark | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Current strength
- 3 / 5
- Luxury level
- 2 / 5
- Typical depth
- 10–30 m
- Max depth of interest
- 40 m
- Dive styles
- Liveaboard
- Suggested certification
- Advanced Open Water
- Nearest airport
- PZU
- Snorkelling
- Good
- Known for
- scalloped hammerhead, grey reef shark, manta ray, silvertip shark
Famous sites: Sanganeb · Shaab Rumi · Umbria wreck · Angarosh
Season notes & sources
- Hammerheads at Sanganeb and other reefs are best January–April, with sightings from November; mantas August–November, most reliably September–October. Water is hottest (31–33 °C) June–September; November–February has the most unsettled surface conditions.
- Liveaboards depart Port Sudan or Port Ghalib. Fewer liveaboards run in the summer heat. Check current travel advisories for Sudan.