This is a question we get all the time: “I want to go kitesurfing, but I have a family. What will everyone else do?”
Short answer: they won’t be bored. El Gouna is one of the best places for a kitesurfing holiday with family – and here’s why.
The Non-Kiting Partner
Let’s be honest – not every partner shares your enthusiasm for kitesurfing. And that’s perfectly fine. El Gouna offers so many activities that the non-kiting half of the couple often ends up with a fuller schedule than the kiting one.
A Day on the Beach
Our center has a restaurant right on the beach. Your partner grabs a book, orders a smoothie, soaks up the sun, and watches you on the water. Maybe waves at you occasionally. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and an entirely legitimate way to spend a holiday.
Sports and Wellness
El Gouna has a golf course, padel courts, squash, fitness centers, and several spas. Those who want to stay active have options. Those who want to relax – also covered.
Snorkeling and Diving
The Red Sea is world-class. Snorkeling and diving boats depart daily, and the underwater experience is unforgettable. For many non-kiting partners, this is the main draw of El Gouna.
Shopping and Culture
Downtown El Gouna has shops, cafes, and galleries. Abu Tig Marina offers restaurants with harbor views. And for those who want culture – a day trip to Luxor or Cairo is an unforgettable experience.
Kids in El Gouna
El Gouna is a safe, gated resort managed by Orascom. There’s security at all entry points. Streets are clean, traffic is minimal, and the entire environment is safe for families with children.
Our Playground
Right at the Kitepower center, we have a playground with wooden climbing structures, walkways, bridges, and trampolines. Kids spend hours here. And since the playground is right next to the restaurant, you can keep an eye on them while having a relaxed lunch.
Kite Courses for Kids
Here’s something many parents don’t know: kids can start kitesurfing with us from age 5-6 (minimum weight around 25 kg). We have special children’s courses with smaller kites and an approach adapted to the child’s age.
Lessons take place in the same shallow lagoon – so safety is at its maximum. Kids can stand in this water and it’s knee-deep at most. Instructors have experience with children and know how to keep their attention and motivation.
Wing Courses for Kids
Besides kitesurfing, we also offer wing courses – and these are often even more accessible for kids. A wing is less physically demanding than a kite, and kids love it. The basic course is 5 hours and starts at €365.
Sliders Cable Park
The cable park for wakeboarding is in El Gouna and it’s a hit with older kids and teenagers. Plus they have an inflatable aqua park on the water – slides, trampolines, obstacles. For families with kids aged 8+, it’s a perfect afternoon program.
Hotel Kids’ Clubs
Most larger hotels in El Gouna have kids’ clubs with organized programs. Entertainers, pools, games – kids are kept busy and parents get free time. Steigenberger, Mövenpick, and other hotels offer quality children’s programs.
Horses and Desert Safari
Older kids will enjoy a horseback ride along the beach or a desert safari on camels. These are experiences they’ll be telling their classmates about for weeks.
Practical Tips for Families
Accommodation
El Gouna has hotels of all categories – from apartments to five-star resorts. For families, we recommend apartments or villas with a kitchen – it’s more flexible and cheaper than a hotel. Many of our families rent an apartment for 2-3 weeks.
Safety
El Gouna is a gated resort. That means:
- Security at all entry points 24/7
- Clean streets without the typical Egyptian chaos
- Minimal traffic (tuk-tuks and golf buggies)
- A safe environment where kids can walk around on their own
This is not typical Egypt. El Gouna is a unique microcosm where you feel safe.
How It Works in Practice
A typical day for a family with us looks like this:
Morning: Breakfast at the restaurant. Partner heads to the beach/spa/golf. You go to your lesson.
Late morning: Kitesurfing. Kids at the playground or in a kids’ course. Partner snorkeling/relaxing.
Lunch: Everyone meets at the beach restaurant. Kids play, you eat.
Afternoon: Second lesson or free riding. Family at the cable park / pool / on a trip.
Evening: Dinner together. Go-karts. Or just sitting on the beach watching the stars.
Why It Works
The key is that everything is close by. From the kite spot to the restaurant is 30 seconds. From the playground to the water is 50 meters. You don’t need to drive anywhere far or organize anything complicated. You simply show up at the beach and everyone finds their thing.
And that’s why families come back to us year after year. 80-90% of our customers are returning guests – and families make up a significant portion of them.
Want to plan a family kitesurfing holiday? Check out our courses and contact us – we’ll help you with the planning.