One of the most practical questions I get: “What should I wear?” It makes sense — you’re flying to Egypt, so you expect heat. But kitesurfing on the water in 20 knots of wind is a different story from lounging by the pool. Wind chill is a real thing and in the winter months, it’ll catch you off guard.
This article is short and practical — exactly how you need it.
Month by Month
January – February
Full wetsuit 4/3 mm or 3/2 mm. The coldest months in El Gouna. Air temperature around 18–22 °C, water around 19–21 °C. With wind on the water, it feels noticeably colder. Without a wetsuit, you’d be shivering after an hour. Some people add a neoprene hood or thin gloves, but usually a full wetsuit is enough.
The upside of these months? Fewer people, more space on the lagoon. And after a session, a warm coffee at our restaurant does the trick.
March
Shorty wetsuit 3/2 mm. It’s warming up. Air around 22–26 °C, water slowly heating up. A shorty is usually just right — protects your torso but leaves arms and legs free. Some days towards the end of March a rashguard is already enough, but better to have a shorty handy.
April – September
Boardshorts, lycra or rashguard. This is where summer begins. Temperatures 28–40 °C, water 24–28 °C. No wetsuit needed. Swimwear and a rashguard for sun protection are enough — and I mean that seriously. UV radiation in Egypt is intense and on the water, the glare off the surface amplifies it. Getting sunburnt after 2 hours on the water without protection is almost guaranteed.
I recommend:
- Long-sleeve rashguard (UV protection)
- Quality waterproof sunscreen SPF 50
- Boardshorts or short leggings
October – November
Shorty wetsuit 3/2 mm. Temperatures drop back to 22–28 °C, water cools down. October is still pleasant, in November you’ll appreciate a shorty, especially for morning and late sessions.
December
Transition: shorty to full wetsuit. Early December is still shorty weather, but by the end of the month you’ll need a full wetsuit. Around Christmas and New Year, count on being glad to have a 3/2 mm or 4/3 mm.
Water Shoes
Recommended year-round. There are occasional shells and sharp pebbles on the beach, and in the shallows you might step on something unpleasant. Neoprene booties (1.5–3 mm) protect your feet and also give better grip on the board.
We have water shoes available to borrow at the centre, so you don’t need to bring your own.
What We Have Available to Borrow
At our kite centre, we have a complete range of wetsuits in all sizes — including children’s. If you don’t want to drag a wetsuit in your suitcase, you don’t have to. You arrive, grab the right size, and go.
All equipment including wetsuit/rashguard is included in the course price. Through the rental centre, you can also borrow a wetsuit separately.
A Few Practical Tips
- Sunscreen. Even under a rashguard. UV penetrates wet lycra more than you’d expect.
- Hydration. You forget to drink on the water. But at 35 °C with physical exertion, dehydration comes fast. Keep a water bottle on the beach.
- Hood and buff. In winter months, a neoprene hood; in summer, a buff or cap under the helmet (if you wear one outside the course).
- After the session. Keep dry clothes on the beach to change into. Wet lycra + wind = cold even in summer.
Summary
| Month | What to wear | Air temp | Water temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Feb | Full wetsuit 3/2–4/3 | 18–22 °C | 19–21 °C |
| Mar | Shorty wetsuit | 22–26 °C | 21–23 °C |
| Apr–Sep | Boardshorts/rashguard | 28–40 °C | 24–28 °C |
| Oct–Nov | Shorty wetsuit | 22–28 °C | 23–26 °C |
| Dec | Shorty to full wetsuit | 19–24 °C | 20–23 °C |
Nothing complicated. The main takeaway: in summer, you don’t need to worry about a thing; in winter, bring a wetsuit or borrow one from us.
Lukáš Vogeltanz Kitepower El Gouna