This spot offers two possibilities to kitesurf. Experienced riders can go out right in front of the center, where the water will be deep a few meters from the beach and one will be facing a reef downwind, so staying upwind is a must. A few hundred meters offshore, there is a sandbar sticking out with a big shallow area with beautiful waters in all shades of blue. Beginners will find a big shallow lagoon after a few hundred meters walk. The water is quite salty, it takes a day or two to adjust to that. There are lots of diving boats cruising around and jumping close to them (preferably behind them) will earn you big cheers from the divers, that can be quite funny. Due to corals outside at parts of the sandbar and downwind from the center shoes for not experienced riders are a good option.
In front of the center the sandy beach is narrow, launching a kite is possible if the rider walks a few steps into the water. In the upper lagoon, the beach is bigger and there are some rocks and shells in the sand. Most parts of the beach feature sun-umbrellas with pointy ends that can shred a kite to dust so watch out for these. Zones for kitesurfing are well-marked.
During summer, it's above 40°C air and around 30°C water. Shorts/bikini kiting from late April to October. During winter, a shorty or short arm wetsuit will be necessary, water will still be above 20°C and air will be in the mid-twenties. The sun is shining every single day, all year long. If a small cloud accidentally blocks direct sunlight for more than ten minutes, locals call it a cloudy day.
- April - May - June - July - August - September - October
Wind Type:
- Thermal Winds
Best Direction:
- N - NE
Main Direction:
- N - NW - NNW
The wind comes from West to Northeast. These directions will be accelerated by thermal winds from the desert, keep that in mind when looking at forecasts (with these wind directions add 1-2 Bft). If 5 Bft is forecasted, you'll be loaded on an 8 meter kite. Other directions never occur and if, then normally without kiteabke wind. During summer, the wind blows almost daily, in winter time there can be weeks without wind.
In winter, the wind usually starts offshore and swings round around noon, swinging back in the afternoon. In summer, it's mostly blowing sideshore all day. You don't have to mind offshore winds, there is a really good rescue service picking you up if you don't manage to get back on your own.
You simply book a flight to Hurghada. Exiting the airport, there will be a huge crowd of taxi-drivers waiting for you. That's where your bargaining skills decide how expensive your ride will be. It's quite important to agree on a price before entering the cab (20-30 Egypt. Pounds). More important than bargaining for a few bucks is to take care of your boardbag. If the driver fixes it to the roof, double check his work - you'll be facing a wild ride in an Egyptian taxi and so does your bag on the roof. Don't hesitate to raise your voice if necessary and don't take the driver's word if you're not totally sure your equipment is stored secure - more than one bag was sacrificed to the Egyptian streets.
On almost every beach in Egypt, you will have to register with the surf station to go out. Prices differ between 3 and 7 USD per day, including several services. Respect the surfing-zones, you have to use a kiteleash. Beginners have to go to the "Trainings Bay" which is shallow. And if you still go downwind too far, you will pass the center.
07-04-26 Toby: what a great place. went here 5 times. highspeed internet directly on teh beach, storage etc everything at one place, and the most beautiful sandbar!
05-07-11 John: BEST SPOT IN THE WORLD
05-03-15 Robert: Colona Watersports is Simply the best set up kite centre I have ever seen. The rescue service is spot on. I was lucky and got 7 days of 7 last visit. Got to try a lot of new gear for FREE!!!
04-09-13 Luca: I went where in August: very consistent and steady wind; an execellent place to kite !!
04-02-06 Toby: From spring to autumn the sandbar is free creating excellent flatwater behind it. This makes it a great spot for practising jumps and tricks. Not to mention the beauty auf the clear, green water!
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