Hi all...

Anyone kited in Egypt?

If so, where, what time of year, and how was it etc?

Did you travel anywhere else in Egypt? Any advice or tips? Most things I read basically say don't go.... Hoping to hear some real world experiences.

Thanks

Went there solo about 15 years ago. It was hard work and getting around if you weren't in a group or travel agent arranging. I ended up stuck in Hurghada, found a chill place to kite, fell in love and stayed in the one spot for three weeks. Was aiming to get up to Dahab but never made it.

Having kited lots of other places I wouldn't go there specifically for kiting, particularly if coming from oz. but if you were going to see the place and wanted to stop in for a kiting break then sure.

I was there in September, Kited in Soma bay and El gouna. I stayed longer in Soma bay which was fantastic, constant warm wind everyday and great lagoon spot at the 7bft kite house. A 12m and 9m would cover most days. The experience is similar to a kiting resort where there are facilities to store your gear, have it washed and packed for you if you wish and the staff are always there to help you launch and land. And being an offshore to side offshore spot there are numerous rescue boats available at a moments notice for all the beginners but the conditions aren't a problem if you're an experienced kiter. This specific kite house deals in Core kites and gear is readily available for hire. I found the staff and the vibe to be very friendly. Soma bay is a beautiful spot and has some incredible diving and snorkelling sites (look it up on youtube). We stayed at the Westin which was also a golf resort but accomodation options are numerous and if you can spare the extra coin I'd recommend the Robinson.

El gouna has a different vibe where you can stroll into the Marina at night and have dinner or a drink at one of the restaurants and bars. The kiting spot there is mostly side on shore but its a little reefy and gets affected by the tide a lot more than soma bay but prices at the kite houses are cheaper in comparison with soma bay. I've only ever kited at the Kite boarding club El Gouna and can recommend them. They are an F-One kites retailer but theres a Nobile and North retailers/kite houses along the same stretch of beach.

I think the kiting season is June to October and if you're there just for kiting and kicking back I'd just be flying into Hurgada and organising transport to your hotel. Cairo is busy and confusing but worth a visit if you're keen to do the touristy thing.

All in all I think Egypt's an ok holiday destination all things considered. It's just important to keep your wits about you and follow recommendations on lonely planet and similar guides, just like any other country you'd consider visiting really.

Moved to the UK from Perth in 2003 and lived in London for 7 years. Used to go to Egypt at least once a year to get some warm weather and kiting in. Stayed first trip in Hurghada (stayed at an absolute ****ehole called Magawish and definitely do not recommend it unless you want the "squirts") not impressed with the kiting either, wind was offshore and gusty and crowded too. Every other trip we went to Soma Bay and stayed at the Intercontinental which had the best location and kite spot. All flat water and loads of wind. Hotel is great for non-kiters too as the swimming beach and pools are sheltered from the wind. They had a kids club for those with kids too (not us). Soma Bay is the go as not too busy and a big bay so plenty of space, flat water so pack the twinnie
Best advice is when you arrive at Hurghada airport, pick up some beers at the airport duty free after you clear passport control. Most of the hotels will rip you off $10 a beer as in Soma Bay you are miles away from any towns so they charge what they like. We bought a case of Heineken for about $60 at the airport to go with the gin and tonic brought from London (and limes). No limit to mow much beer and got the tip from some Brits on the first trip who had bought 5 cases of beer. Stock up on bottles of water too if heading for Soma Bay as you'll pay $5-10 a bottle at the hotel. Ask room service for ice and fill the bathroom sink with ice and beers every evening!
Enjoy, had some awesome 40 knot (desert wind) sessions in really warm water. 5m (used once), 7m and 10m kites with some morning sessions on a 16m.

I live/work here currently, been here a little over a year. It's a great place to come kiting and an interesting place to travel but certainly not for everyone.

The best kiting places are south, way south, south of Marsa alam. Some fantastic flat water lagoons down that way but not a lot in the way of services, you go there to kite, fish, snorkel and dive...it's not a big tourist spot. I live in Marsa alam, we have a huge shallow lagoon that has cross shore winds most of the year. April to October is the best wind, September and October are the peak months. The rest of the year we get decent breezes a few times a week. The next couple of months are a bit iffy as we transition into the cooler months.

Hurghada is a great place to kite, Soma bay is ok...you go there if you want good flat water conditions but next to no social scene. It's expensive for Egypt, the hotels are pretty average, you have to pay for beach access but the water is pretty good. It's still pretty busy there even though tourism in Egypt is dead. I kited there once, i won't go back as it was just too dull and isolated.

El Gouna is great if you want good kiting conditions (not as flat as soma bay but the second lagoon is sweet), something to do at night, decent food (by Egyptian standards) and a reasonable cable park as backup for those non-windy days. I love El Gouna, it's my favorite place to go in Egypt. Safe, Easy to get around and has everything you need for a good time. Some great kiters here too.

Sharm and the northern areas are alright too but at the moment i'm staying away from the northern areas...little too much action up there for my liking.

Traveling here will keep you on your toes. You get harassed by touts, taxi drivers, shop keepers etc all the time, it gets old fast. They only started leaving me alone when i learned a bit of arabic. Everyone will try to rip you off, everyone will expect money from you...it sucks. That said there is some awesome stuff to see and most of the sights are quiet now cause people are staying away. I don't feel in danger at all when i'm traveling around the towns but you do have to keep your wits about you.

It's an interesting place, the kiting is great, the history is great, the sights are great and a lot of the people are great. The food is crap, the touts are annoying, constantly being ripped off gets old, it's not easy to get around and it's bloody hot during the summer....oh and they hate dogs here which really bugs me. I usually only spend 5 or so days in Egypt when I'm on break, that's enough for me (of course thats after being here for 40). Overall it's an alright place at the moment but it certainly feels like it could change at the drop of a hat.

Some great info and replies! Thanks.

I'll look into a few of those locations.

It'll be mainly a sightseeing trip as my wife doesn't kite. But if I can jag a day or three on some hire gear somewhere I'd be stoked.

Egypt has always been on our bucket list, and with the possible additon of some kiting makes it very tempting. But the big decision is actually wether its safe to go...

Cheers

I've spent 3 weeks in total during 2 trips to Egypt a few years ago. I've managed to kite about 2 hours altogether on my 12m at the time.

Been to El Tur for 1 week. Had 45 minutes of pumping the 12m in about 10-13kn winds. Luckily there was a rescue boat there too! The only time in my kiting endeavours that I needed a rescue boat! It was the first week of November 2008.
Been to Hurghada for 2 weeks and had about 1h 15min during that period after a 2 nights driving to/from Cairo. And about 40 degrees second half of September 2010.

Been to the pyramids and I'm happy to say I'm never going again anywhere near there.

A few of my friends go regularly and regularly have good kiting conditions.

Best place for kitesurfing (only flat water) is the Soma Bay and the 7bft Kitehouse. I recommend to stay at the Breakers Hotel. Superb food and nice people for a reasonable good price. Best Wind is June-October. But March-June is as well quite good. For November-March I would recommend to go to Hamata.
I have been there several times and Soma Bay is one of the best spots around the globe for freestyle kitesurfing.