Egypt's Red Sea coast is one of the easiest kite trips from Europe: a few hours' flight to Hurghada, sunshine almost every day, warm water and a north wind that blows most of the year. Most riders end up choosing between three places: El Gouna north of Hurghada, and Soma Bay and Safaga to the south. They're close to each other, but they don't feel the same, and in winter the difference matters. Here's how they compare, with our data.
The wind on the Red Sea
The wind comes from the north to north-west, down the Gulf of Suez and along the coast, and the desert heat adds a thermal boost during the day. Our numbers come from five years of GFS weather data (2022–2026). A "windy day" has at least two daytime hours at 15 knots or more (how we count).
Soma Bay and Safaga are close together and fall in the same cell of the weather model, so their wind numbers are identical. Local centres say Safaga often blows a little lighter than Soma Bay.
Month by month
Windy days: days with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots between 9:00 and 18:00, averaged over recent years. Averages over recent years from weather data; tap a spot for daily detail.
- Summer (June to September) is the windiest time everywhere. El Gouna has 22–25 windy days a month, Soma Bay and Safaga 19–27, with September the windiest month in the south (27 days). The air reaches 35–37°C, so ride in the morning and late afternoon and drink a lot.
- Spring and autumn (March to May, October) are the comfortable months: 17–21 windy days in the south, 17–20 in El Gouna, sea 20–27°C and air under 33°C. October is especially good in Soma Bay and Safaga, with 24 windy days.
- Winter (November to February) is where the three split. In El Gouna the wind drops to 7–11 windy days a month from November to January. Soma Bay and Safaga keep 12–18. The water is also warmer in the south: about 23°C in January at Soma Bay and Safaga, against about 20°C in El Gouna.
- Rain: practically none, all year.
El Gouna: lagoons for learning and the busiest scene
El Gouna is about 25 km north of Hurghada. Its main kite area, around Mangroovy Beach, has big shallow lagoons with flat, often waist-deep water behind the reef, and deep water with chop outside it. That makes it one of the best places in the region to learn and to practise freestyle, and there are many centres, restaurants and things to do on days off. From May to August it has about as many windy days as the south; in October and in winter it has fewer. More in our El Gouna foiling guide.
Soma Bay: the most windy days and the warmest winter
Soma Bay is a resort peninsula south of Hurghada. Riding is organised through the hotel centres, which also run the rescue boats. The water is flat to choppy, with a sandy bottom in the main areas and coral patches in places, so follow the centre's advice on where to launch, especially with a foil. In our data it has, together with Safaga, the most windy days over the year, and in winter it's clearly the safer bet.
Safaga: open water and a quieter town
Safaga is a little further south. The main riding area is the wide beach in front of the hotels north of the town, with a shallow, sheltered area near the shore and open chop further out. The wind is often slightly side-offshore in the morning and turns side-shore later. It's a working port town and quieter than El Gouna, and it has the same wind figures as Soma Bay in our data.
Which one should you choose?
- Learning, or travelling with non-riders: El Gouna, from March to October. Flat lagoons, many schools and a town to walk around in.
- The most riding in a week: Soma Bay or Safaga, especially in September and October.
- A winter kite trip (November to February): Soma Bay or Safaga. More windy days and water about 3–4°C warmer than El Gouna.
- The hottest months: July and August are windy everywhere, but 36–37°C in the shade. September is a better compromise.
Water and what to wear
From June to October the water is 25–30°C: boardshorts and a lycra. In spring and late autumn a shorty is enough. From December to March El Gouna's water is 19–21°C and a 4/3 is comfortable; in Soma Bay and Safaga it's 23–25°C, so a 3/2 is usually enough. Evenings in winter are cool everywhere. Wear booties on reef entries and use strong waterproof sunscreen. More in our wetsuit guide by water temperature.
FAQ
What is the best month for kitesurfing in Egypt? June to September have the most windy days; September and October combine plenty of wind with less heat.
Is Egypt good for kitesurfing in winter? Yes, in Soma Bay and Safaga: 12–18 windy days a month from November to February in our data and water at about 23°C in January. El Gouna has fewer windy days in winter.
El Gouna or Soma Bay for beginners? Both have schools and shallow areas. El Gouna's lagoons are bigger and the town has more to do; Soma Bay has more windy days, especially in winter.
Do I need a wetsuit in Egypt? From June to October no. From December to March, yes: a 4/3 in El Gouna, a 3/2 in Soma Bay and Safaga.
All Egyptian spots, with wind, water, air and rain for every month, are on the kitesurfing in Egypt page on Best Time to Ride.
