The temperatures are still summery warm, but autumn is inexorably approaching. If you don't want to unpack your thick winter neoprene just yet, are hoping for surf schools that are still open or just want to soak up some warmth and sun, you should start travelling a little further afield - to El Gouna in Egypt, for example. Hurghada is probably the best-known corner of the Red Sea and is the airport of arrival for most spots. El Gouna is only 25 kilometres north of Hurghada - so you won't have a long drive to your accommodation and the spot. El Gouna is also touristy and has everything for holidaymakers according to European standards - but it is still quieter and less busy in El Gouna than in Hurghada. Everything is well organised, from waste collection to the police and transport with shuttle buses or tuk-tuks as taxis. There is also a wide selection of accommodation and restaurants!
Travelling to El Gouna
There are several direct flights a week from almost all German airports to Hurghada in just over five hours (depending on the starting point, of course). From there, it's just a 35-minute transfer to El Gouna, then you're already at the spot, with the Egyptian sun on your face and the thermal wind in your hair!
Accommodation
Right in El Gouna you will find a wide variety of accommodation close to the spot. With 15 hotels and guesthouses as well as many flats, everyone is sure to find something suitable here. A selection of accommodation is offered by sun+fun and from the Surf & Action Company where you can also book the entire trip.
Wind & Weather
The best time to visit for all wind and sun worshippers is probably in summer - that's when wind speeds and temperatures are at their peak. Those looking for a little less hustle and bustle and temperatures below 30 degrees will find the perfect combination in October, when the wind is still likely to be high.
El Gouna benefits from a guard rail effect. This is caused by a mountain range running in a north-south direction and strengthens the wind, which always comes sideshore from the left, to 5 to 6 Beaufort from spring to autumn, and to 4 to 5 Beaufort in winter. In October, according to the Wind statistics from Windfinder on 60 per cent of the days with more than 4 Beaufort!
El Gouna - the windsurfing spot
Everyone from beginners to freestylers can let off steam in the shallow lagoon, which is around one square kilometre in size - even in strong winds, only a small choppy wave builds up here! By default, the surfers are upwind, where it is a little deeper, and the kiters are downwind. If you really want to heat things up, you can let off steam outside the lagoon without any space restrictions. Although the entrance with its fine sandy beach is ideal for barefoot surfing, thin surf shoes are definitely advisable to avoid injuring yourself on the occasional dead coral block or sharp shell in the water. There are reefs to the right and left of the lagoon that you should watch out for - but these are to be marked with buoys in the future (as of April 2016). The only small drawback: if the tide is very low, you may not be able to windsurf for an hour or two, at least not in the lagoon. But the time can be used wonderfully as a surf break and to relax!
There is a well-equipped windsurfing and kitesurfing centre in El Gouna - the windsurfing station Element Watersports only reopened in November 2015, meaning that this spot now also offers a top infrastructure for windsurfers and creates an offer for anyone who wants to combine windsurfing and kitesurfing. The courses are held in English and if you want to hire equipment, you can find F2 sails and boards here. If you are travelling with your own equipment, you can store it at the centre. In September, the big jibe event, the surf Jibe-City instead. For similar offers, just have a look at our Camp overview .
In addition to windsurfing, there is everything to do with SUP as well as yoga courses, a football pitch and a beach volleyball court. There is even a nanny service for the little ones so that parents can go out on the water together. For those who prefer things a little quieter, there is a bar, a restaurant and a Bedouin tent for a traditional tea or shisha - an all-round culinary carefree package. Nothing stands in the way of a beach day that caters for all needs - a free shuttle bus runs from the Hotel Mosaique, while most other hotels in the area charge around three euros for a taxi each way.
Alternative programme
Non-surfing companions and surfers on slack days or lazy days will also get their money's worth here. El Gouna offers a wakeboard centre and a modern fitness studio. There is also plenty on offer for diving excursions and traditional Egyptian evenings for tourists - with a Bedouin tent, belly dancers and camels.
