Diving the southern Red Sea during the Winter

[Tovster]

I am thinking about going on a liveaboard in ST. John during the winter, around New Years time. Am I crazy? What is the water temperature like? What kind of suit will I need to feel comfortable? I chill easily. What is the marine life like during the winter? Is this a mistake?

Thanks,
John

 

[Red Sea Shadow]

You might face some rough sea conditions. The average temperature is about 23°C.

 

[ArthurGerla]

Check out the weather charts on the excellent www.goredsea.com website.

I visited Marsa Alam in the first week of december. I was happy I brought 14mm of neoprene and a cap, I got a tad chilled on the third dive of the day. The oceanic whitetip sharks at Elphinstone made up for that though!

You can expect to see turtles, giant moray eels, remora, barracuda and all the usual reef residents. Some pictures here. Also, if you are lucky, dolphins. The St. Johns reef system is riddled with caves and swimthroughs where at night bumphead parrotfish come to sleep. These are arguably the ugliest creatures on the planet. Quite a rush to meet one on a night dive!