You’ve got the flight, hotel booked, course arranged. Now what? What does the first day look like? Where to go? What to bring? This article is a practical guide to what awaits you from the moment you step off the plane in Hurghada.
Arrival and Transfer
Hurghada airport (HRG) is small and easy to navigate. You buy your visa right at the airport – 25 USD (have cash in dollars or euros ready). Processing takes 20–45 minutes depending on how many planes have landed at the same time.
Transfer to El Gouna takes approximately 30 minutes. You can book through us – it costs €35–40 and a driver waits for you with a sign. Alternatively, you can take a taxi (they’ll approach you at the airport exit), but with a pre-arranged transfer, you have peace of mind. Transfer booking ideally in advance via email.
First Day in El Gouna
Hotel Check-in
El Gouna has hotels from 3 to 5. Most kiters stay at hotels on the lagoon (Sheraton, Steigenberger, Club Azur, Mövenpick) or in downtown El Gouna (cheaper, but a few minutes by tuk-tuk to the spot).
Tuk-tuks are local transport – small electric vehicles that run throughout El Gouna. They cost a few Egyptian pounds and will stop anywhere. Safe and convenient.
First Visit to the Spot
Our spot is at the northern tip of El Gouna. When you come for the first time, the team welcomes you, shows you the facilities, and gives you a basic orientation:
- Where showers and toilets are
- Where the restaurant is
- Where equipment is stored
- Where the lagoon begins and where to enter the water
- Spot safety rules
Kitepass
Everyone entering the spot (kiter or not) needs a kitepass at €10 daily. The kitepass includes:
- Access to the spot and beach
- Showers and facilities
- Rescue boat on the water (all day)
- VIP beachboy service – kite inflation and setup
The kitepass is valid for the entire day. Non-kiting partners and families need one too – but in return, they get access to the beach, sun loungers, and the restaurant.
Assessment (If You Have a Course)
If you’ve booked a course, the first step is an assessment. The instructor determines your level – whether you’re a complete beginner or have experience. Based on that, they set the program. No unnecessary repetition of what you already know. No skipping what you’re missing.
If you want to rent equipment, the team checks your IKO card and recommends a kite size based on current conditions.
Typical Day on a Kite Holiday
Here’s what an average day looks like for most of our guests:
Morning (7:00–10:00)
Breakfast at the hotel. The wind usually isn’t blowing yet or is light. Ideal time for a stroll around El Gouna, coffee at the marina, or working on your laptop (we have coworking space right at the spot).
Some early birds go paddleboarding or snorkeling – the water is calmest in the morning.
Late Morning (10:00–12:00)
The wind starts picking up. If you have a course, lessons often begin around this time – beach session (theory, kite setup, safety) before heading onto the water.
If you’re an independent rider, this is when you prepare – the beachboy inflates your kite, you choose the size based on the wind.
Lunch (12:00–14:00)
The restaurant on the spot serves food all day. Egyptian and European cuisine. Grilled meats, salads, pasta, sandwiches. Fresh juices. And most importantly – you’re right on the beach overlooking the lagoon. During lunch, you watch others kiting and tell yourself you need to get out there too.
Afternoon (14:00–17:00)
Prime kiting time. The thermal wind is at full strength. 15–22 knots, stable, predictable. This is when the best sessions happen. The lagoon is full of kites, the atmosphere is electric.
If you have a course, afternoon lessons are usually on the water – waterstarts, riding, walkie-talkie coaching.
Late Afternoon (17:00–19:00)
The wind slowly fades. Final sessions of the day. Sunset over the lagoon – one of the most beautiful sights you’ll experience on the Red Sea.
After kiting: shower, beer or tea at the restaurant, chatting with other kitesurfers. The community on the spot is friendly – people talk about sessions, share tips, make plans for tomorrow.
Evening (19:00+)
El Gouna has a surprisingly good nightlife for Egyptian standards. The downtown marina offers restaurants and bars. From Italian cuisine to sushi, from cocktail bars to chill-out lounges.
Our restaurant at the spot stays open until the last guest leaves. So if you want to stay on the beach, you can.
What to Bring
Must Have
- Swimwear (multiple sets – they dry slowly in winter months)
- Sunscreen SPF 50, waterproof
- Sunglasses with a strap
- Light clothing
- Sandals
- Shorty wetsuit (or rent from us)
Nice to Have
- UV-protection rash guard
- Light jacket for evenings (October–March)
- GoPro or action camera
- Headlamp (for late evenings at the spot)
- Laptop (coworking available)
You Don’t Need
- Your own kite equipment (if you have a course or are renting)
- A tourist guidebook – El Gouna is easy to navigate
- Plug adapter – Egypt uses European outlets
For Those Who Didn’t Come Just for Kiting
El Gouna offers more than kitesurfing:
- Snorkeling and diving – coral reefs just offshore
- Golf – 18-hole course (one of the best in the region)
- Paddleboarding – on the calm lagoon, rental available from us
- Excursions – Luxor, Giza, desert safari (full-day trips)
- Marina – strolling, shops, cafes
- Spa – most hotels have spa centers
- Kids’ activities – playground right at the spot, kids’ kitesurfing courses from age 5–6
Practical Tips
Money
Egyptian pound (EGP). ATMs are found throughout El Gouna. Cards are accepted at most restaurants and hotels. Cash needed for markets and tuk-tuks. €1 = approximately 55-65 EGP (rate fluctuates, check current).
Internet
WiFi in hotels and most restaurants. If you need mobile data, an Egyptian SIM card costs a few euros and can be bought at the airport.
Language
In El Gouna, you can get by with English everywhere. At Kitepower, we speak Czech, English, German, and other languages.
Safety
El Gouna is one of the safest destinations in Egypt. A gated community with its own security. Crime is minimal. Women feel safe here even on their own.
Departure Day
Transfer back to the airport – same route, 30 minutes. We recommend booking 3 hours before your flight. Leave your equipment in storage if you’re planning to return – no need to haul it home and back.
And then you’re sitting on the plane, looking out the window at the Red Sea, and thinking: “When am I coming back?”
Spoiler: 80–90% of our guests do come back. And most of them say they should have done it sooner.
Planning a kite holiday? Write to us and we’ll help you plan. Or book a course right away.