Last updated: May 3, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, is essential for protecting your skin from harmful solar radiation. With its predominantly BWh climate and abundant sunshine, this stunning resort city faces significant UV exposure risks, particularly between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, when indices peak at 11—a level that can lead to serious sunburn in just minutes. By staying informed about UV levels, you can take proactive steps in sunburn prevention and promote overall skin health, ensuring that your time in this beautiful paradise is both enjoyable and safe. Remember, awareness is your best defense against the sun!
The UV Index throughout the day offers a vivid glimpse into how sunlight intensity varies. At 07:00, the index starts at a mild 2, but by 08:00, it jumps to 4 as the sun rises higher. The real peak occurs between 10:00 and 12:00, where the index reaches a striking 11, signaling a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. After this afternoon zenith, the index begins a gradual decline, dropping to 7 at 14:00 and further to 4 by 15:00. As the day wears on, the UV Index falls to 2 at 16:00, and finally settles at 1 by 17:00 and 18:00. By 19:00, the UV threat dissipates completely, returning to 0 as daylight fades away. This data highlights the importance of seeking shade and protecting your skin during the UV peak hours!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 09:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 10:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 11:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, the UV Index experiences significant fluctuations, indicating varying levels of sun exposure risk. From January to February, the index starts at 6 (high) and remains at 7, representing a consistent caution for sun safety with a burn time of 25 minutes. As spring approaches, March escalates to 9 (very high) with a reduced burn time of 15 minutes, leading into the peak summer months of May through August, where the index reaches an extreme level of 11 and a swift burn time of just 10 minutes. The risk diminishes slightly in September and October to 10 and 9, respectively, but still falls within the very high exposure category. As the year closes out, November and December see a drop to 6 (high) and 5 (moderate). Visitors and residents are advised to take precautions, particularly from March to August, when the sun is most intense, by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak hours to minimize risk of sunburn and skin damage.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Said UVI | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Alexandria UVI | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Giza UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Cairo UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
| Suez UVI | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 |