In Europe, December through February is the time when your kite stays in the garage. Cold water, short days, wind that hurts more than it’s fun. Most kitesurfers simply wait for spring.
But in El Gouna, winter looks completely different. Temperatures around 21–23 °C, wind blowing most of the week, and a quiet spot. No queues, no fighting for space in the lagoon. Sounds like an extended summer – and that’s pretty much what it is.
Here’s an honest look at what winter kitesurfing in El Gouna offers. No sugarcoating.
What “Winter” Looks Like in El Gouna
Forget what you usually picture when you hear “winter.” In El Gouna, it means:
- Air temperature: 21–23 °C during the day
- Water temperature: 20–22 °C
- Wetsuit: full 3/2 mm (mainly in the morning and in the wind)
- Windy days: roughly 5 out of 7
For comparison – in December, the average temperature in Prague is 1 °C, in Berlin 3 °C, in Warsaw –1 °C. In El Gouna, you’re on the beach in a t-shirt having lunch outdoors.
December – Transition with a Christmas Bonus
December is an interesting month. The first two-thirds are quiet – the spot empties after the autumn season, temperatures drop, and accommodation prices go down. It’s the ideal time if you want peace.
Wind in December is better than in January. The thermal effect still works and it blows solidly. Not every day, but most of the week.
Around Christmas and New Year’s, things change. People arrive who want to spend the holidays on the beach instead of under a Christmas tree. The atmosphere on the spot picks up – more people, livelier evenings, restaurants in El Gouna with special menus.
Temperature: 22 °C air / 22 °C water
Wetsuit: full 3/2 mm, especially for morning sessions
Tip: If you want to save money, go in the first half of December. If you want atmosphere, head there for Christmas. Both have their appeal.
January – The Quietest Month of the Year
After the Christmas and New Year’s rush, the spot calms down completely in January. It’s the quietest period of the entire year. On the water, you’ll mainly meet locals and long-term guests.
Temperatures drop to 21 °C, water is also around 21 °C. Mornings are noticeably cooler – expect 14–16 °C at dawn. But once the sun comes out, it warms up quickly.
Wind blows, but not every day. Roughly 5 days out of 7 is a realistic estimate. Some days the wind is light – and that’s the ideal time for wingfoiling, which works even in lighter wind.
Temperature: 21 °C air / 21 °C water
Wetsuit: full 3/2 mm, add a neoprene vest toward evening
Best for: People who want maximum peace and personal attention. The instructor focuses solely on you. The lagoon is empty. And meanwhile, it’s snowing back in Europe.
February – Slowly Warming Up
February is a hint of spring. Temperatures rise to 23 °C, days get longer, and the spot is still relatively quiet. Water is paradoxically a degree cooler than in December – the sea reacts to temperature changes with a delay.
Wind is comparable to January. It blows most of the week, occasionally calming down for a day. Conditions are predictable and stable.
By the end of February, you can feel peak season approaching. The first spring customers start arriving, the spot gets a bit busier. But it’s still low season – with corresponding prices and space.
Temperature: 23 °C air / 20 °C water
Wetsuit: full 3/2 mm, by late February a shorty sometimes suffices
Tip: February is the last month with low-season accommodation prices. If you’re planning a spring holiday, go late February rather than March – you’ll save money and conditions are comparable.
Why Winter Low Season Is Actually an Advantage
Most people think of low season as a “worse” time. We understand – it sounds like “off-season” and that suggests something is missing. But in El Gouna, it’s the exact opposite.
Emptier Spot = Better Experience
In peak season (September–October), we have up to 25 instructors on the spot. That means dozens of students on the water simultaneously. In winter, we have 8–10 instructors and a corresponding number of students.
What does that mean for you? More space on the water, no waiting for a kite, no stress. The lagoon that looks like a highway in October is your private lake in January.
More Instructor Attention
When an instructor has two students in a group instead of four, they naturally give you more attention. They correct mistakes immediately, communicate via walkie-talkie directly on the water, and have time for individual feedback.
In practice, this means: in a winter course, you often make the same progress in less time. Less waiting, more riding.
Cheaper Accommodation
Hotels and apartments in El Gouna have significantly lower prices in winter. The difference compared to the October peak can be 30–50%. For the same budget, you get a better room or a longer stay.
Escape from European Winter
This is simply a fact. While at home you’re scraping frost off your car and putting on three layers, in El Gouna you’re sitting on a terrace in a t-shirt watching the sunset over the lagoon. Ten days in winter Egypt gives your body and mind more than a month of waiting for spring.
What to Expect from Winter Wind
Let’s be honest: winter wind in El Gouna isn’t as strong and reliable as in September or October. The thermal effect that reliably brings afternoon wind in summer is weaker in winter.
Realistically: it blows roughly 5 days out of 7. Some days the wind is strong and stable, others light. Occasionally, a completely windless day arrives.
What about windless days? El Gouna has plenty of alternatives – diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, trips to Luxor. And if you want to learn more about conditions, check our complete month-by-month seasonal guide.
The Lagoon Works Year-Round
Here’s an important point: the El Gouna lagoon works year-round. Shallow water, sandy bottom, no waves, no current. It doesn’t matter whether it’s January or October – conditions for learning are always equally good.
We have over 250 kites from 2.5 to 21 m² – we always find the right size for the current wind. Even when it blows lightly, a student on a big kite learns just as well as in strong wind on a small one.
Practical Tips for a Winter Stay
What to pack:
- Full wetsuit 3/2 mm (or rent one from us)
- Neoprene boots – water is 20 °C, your feet will notice
- A windbreaker for evenings – after sunset, temperature drops to around 15 °C
- Sunscreen – the sun is strong even in winter
Transfer: Fly to Hurghada, transfer from there to El Gouna takes about 30 minutes. Transfer costs €35–40 per person and you can book it through us.
Courses: The basic course (Basic I) is 8 hours and starts at €465. In winter, you have a better chance of getting a time slot that suits you – and most importantly, more space on the water. Full course offerings.
Who Is Winter El Gouna Ideal For
- Beginners – empty lagoon, full instructor attention, no stress
- Kitesurfers who want to train – calm on the water, room for mistakes
- People escaping winter – 21 °C instead of –5 °C
- Budget travelers – lower accommodation and flight prices
- Remote workers – morning work, afternoon kite
Conclusion
Winter kitesurfing in El Gouna is not a compromise. It’s a different experience than September, but in many ways better. Fewer people, more space, more personal attention, and prices that will make you happy.
Wind blows most of the week, the lagoon works always, and temperatures are 20 °C higher than at home. If you have the chance to go in December, January, or February – don’t hesitate. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.