Global Water Temp Database + water temp in Egypt Mid May

I'm trying to find out the water temp for a Egyptian deep south live-aboard in the 2nd week of May. It's very hard to find any water temp information via Google - is there nowhere that has a database of historical water temps by dive site?

Failing anybody being able to give me a global database - any idea what suit(s) I should be packing for my trip? I'm thinking 5mm long but wishing for a 3mm shortie. Probably end up taking both I suppose.

hey there!

it is indeed hard to get answers when it comes to water-temperatures in the red sea. just came back from a trip in march (south st. johns caves- and zabargad-area) and going there again in 3rd week of march. Where are you going and which company did you choose for the trip?

In March it was 23-26°, which was for me fine with a hooded vest... When I was there in May last year it was roughly the same, maybe 1-2° warmer. Since most people on the boat got colder than I they were wearing from 3mm shorty up to 7mm semi-dry. What I would definitely recommend is the hood since you get cold quite quickly on the zodiac and you can also quickly hurt your ears and get an infection.

Personally I am used to dive in tropical waters like the caribbean with 27-29° C and dive there only with a rashguard and my shorts. In egypt I dive with maximal a 3mm full-wetsuit. This time I tried it again with only my rashguard, the hooded vest (vest 3mm, hood 5mm) and I was fine most of the time. On the 3rd or 4th dive i eventually took my 3mm just because you lose so much energy during the day and get cold quicker during the dive.

Hope that helps

Thomas

Hmm - a global dive site database might have to be something I look into then.

Thanks very much for the info. We're going on the Blue Melody leaving on the 6th May. I normally don't feel the coold too badly (my wife is another story) but having just lost nearly 40 pounds in weight since the start of the year it will be interesting to see if I get cold quicker. Thanks for the hood info - will make sure we pack them.

i have found a page where you might find helpful:

UK Divesitedirectory

Watertemperature Listing for the red sea

So which places will you be diving? Do you already know that? If you go to St. Johns you must check out the caves, they're great! Besides that a few wrecks are down there in the south. There's also a chance to see some big fish. If you're keen on nightdives this is a nice area, too.

Thomas