Imagine waking up anchored beside a deserted island, stepping off the boat into a flat, turquoise lagoon and kitesurfing all day with only a handful of other riders around. That is what a kite safari offers – and it is exactly what our kite safari Egypt and Hurghada trips are about. In this Red Sea kite safari guide we explain how a kitesurfing boat trip works, where you ride, what life on board is like and how to decide whether it is right for you.
What is a kite safari?
A kite safari – sometimes called a kite cruise or liveaboard – is a holiday on a boat that sails to remote kite spots that are hard or impossible to reach from land. You sleep, eat and relax on board, and the boat moves between spots depending on the wind. Instead of one beach, you get several, and you usually share them with nobody but your fellow guests.
Red Sea kite safari guide: where do the boats go?
From Hurghada, the most popular destinations are the islands to the north, such as Tawila and Geisum. Because they lie well out in the open sea, the wind there is usually stronger and steadier than on the coast, and the flat islands do not break up the airflow. Sandbanks on the leeward side create lagoons of different sizes and depths, with smooth, chop-free water. With an average depth of around one metre and no coral, these lagoons are perfect for training.
A typical day on board
On our kite safari Egypt trips we leave Hurghada marina early in the morning and reach the islands in about three hours. Then the routine is simple:
- Morning: set up the equipment and get on the water – keen riders start at dawn.
- Midday: lunch on board and a rest in the shade, or another session if the wind is pumping.
- Afternoon: ride until sunset. We take photos and film videos during the sessions.
- Evening: after dinner we review the footage together, talk through mistakes and celebrate progress, and give advanced riders tips on their technique. Then it is time for films, board games, yoga – and the odd party.
Nobody has to keep up a dawn-to-dusk pace: you can start after breakfast, take a long break after lunch or simply enjoy the boat.
Life on the boat
Our safaris run on a four-star motor yacht with four decks and room for 16 to 24 guests. There are superior cabins with a double bed and sea view, standard cabins with two single beds and air conditioning, a large saloon, a lounge with a bar and shade, and a top sun deck with sunbeds and a small plunge pool with a jacuzzi. A professional chef prepares three meals a day plus snacks, and two Zodiac-style rescue boats accompany the yacht.
When you are not kitesurfing, you can try wakeboarding, SUP, snorkelling, fishing or yoga – all included in the price.
Who is a kite safari for?
A kite safari is best for riders who can already kitesurf independently: launching and landing with help, riding in both directions and staying upwind. Because you are far from shore, self-rescue skills and confidence matter. That said, the shallow lagoons around the islands are also an excellent place to polish your riding, and our team gives feedback every day. If you are not quite there yet, start with kitesurfing lessons in Hurghada first.
When is the best time to go?
- March and April: often very windy, even on small kites. A long 5 mm wetsuit is best early in spring; 3 mm is usually enough by April.
- May: warmer water – you can often ride in board shorts or a lycra, especially in lighter or southerly winds.
- September and October: strong, even wind that suits small and medium kites.
- October and November: bring a shorty; a long 3 mm wetsuit works well too.
What is included and what to bring
Our safari price includes airport–yacht transfers, your cabin, three meals a day with snacks and fruit, soft drinks, equipment storage, rescue cover, testing of kite school equipment, photos and videos, Wi-Fi and the extra activities. Not included are flights, the Egyptian visa (US$30 for a single-entry Egypt e-visa), accommodation before or after the trip, insurance, equipment hire, lessons, alcoholic drinks, fresh juices, tips for the crew and diving.
Pack a long-sleeved lycra and board shorts, neoprene boots (essential) and gloves (recommended), sunglasses and high-factor sun cream, any personal medication, proof of medical or sports insurance, a sleeping bag if you fancy sleeping under the stars and a USB stick or SD card for your photos. Our kite safari packing list has the full checklist.
We hope this Red Sea kite safari guide has helped you decide whether a week on the water is right for you.
Booking and payment
Departure and return are from Hurghada marina. To secure your place, the safari fee is paid in full in advance; cancellations made more than 21 days before departure receive a 50% refund, while later cancellations are non-refundable. For dates and prices, get in touch – and check the live Hurghada wind forecast to start dreaming.
Before booking, check the latest UK foreign travel advice for Egypt or your own government’s equivalent.
