When to go · Massawa
Massawa in May
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–Oct (very hot, limited water supplies).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C) / 25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 2
- Crowds
- Medium
- Eritrea overall
- Prices
- High
- Eritrea overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–Oct (very hot, limited water supplies).
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- MassawaHighs around 36 °C (97 °F), lows around 25 °C (77 °F), rain on about 2 daysHighs around 97 °F (36 °C), lows around 77 °F (25 °C), rain on about 2 days
- Red Sea coast, Eritrea · Massawa, Dahlak islands, Assabhot
Rain falls in winter on the coast; from May to September temperatures pass 40 °C (104 °F) with heavy humidity.Rain falls in winter on the coast; from May to September temperatures pass 104 °F (40 °C) with heavy humidity.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Independence Day big impact
24 May · Eritrea
Parades, concerts and a week of celebration in Asmara; hotels and flights fill.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Eritrea overall
- Medium
- Prices · Eritrea overall
- High
Eritrea overall: Independence Day (24 May) fills Asmara; the coast is very hot.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Massawa, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 36 °C (97 °F)97 °F (36 °C)
Jan: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Night low
May: 25 °C (77 °F)77 °F (25 °C)
Jan: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Rain days
May: 2 (better)
Jan: 5
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: High
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 0
May: Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–Oct (very hot, limited water supplies).
January: Inside Massawa's best window: Nov–Mar.
Massawa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen