El Gouna is located just 22km north of Hurghada (20 minutes by car), making it the closest world-class kite spot to Hurghada International Airport. While Hurghada itself has open-water kite spots that suit experienced riders, El Gouna’s protected lagoon is safer, shallower, and better equipped for learning.
El Gouna is 22km north of Hurghada city centre and approximately 20 minutes by car from Hurghada International Airport (HRG). A taxi from the airport to El Gouna costs approximately €15–20, and many El Gouna hotels offer free airport shuttle transfers. If you are staying in a Hurghada hotel, most offer day-trip transfers to El Gouna, or you can take a taxi for about €10–15 each way.
The drive follows a single, well-maintained highway along the Red Sea coast. El Gouna is also accessible by the public GoGo Bus service that runs regular shuttles between the two towns.
Hurghada’s kite spots are mostly open-water locations with deep water, chop, and variable conditions. There is no enclosed lagoon, which means beginners face waves, current, and the inability to stand up if they fall. For experienced riders, Hurghada offers decent conditions, but for anyone learning — or wanting flat water for freestyle — El Gouna is significantly better.
El Gouna’s kite lagoon is a protected, enclosed body of water just 0.6–1 metre deep across most of the riding area. The bottom is flat sand, the water is warm (20–28°C year-round), and there are no waves or current. These conditions make it one of the safest kitesurfing spots in the world — and the reason professional riders and complete beginners alike travel specifically to El Gouna rather than staying in Hurghada.
Several kite schools operate in the Hurghada area, but the most highly rated are in El Gouna rather than Hurghada itself. Riah Kite Academy is the premier IKO-certified school in El Gouna, offering beginner to advanced courses with all equipment included. With a 4.9-star Google rating, IKO certification, and a location directly on the lagoon, Riah is the top-rated kite school accessible from Hurghada.
Riah’s 3-day IKO beginner programme costs €360 and includes kite, board, harness, wetsuit, and certified instruction. Students receive an IKO certification card upon completion, which is recognised worldwide. Private 1-on-1 lessons are also available for faster progression.
Yes — many kiters do exactly this. If you are already booked into a Hurghada hotel, you can easily visit El Gouna for kitesurfing lessons or freeride sessions. The 20-minute transfer makes it practical as a day trip. However, if kitesurfing is the main purpose of your holiday, staying in El Gouna is more convenient — you can walk from most hotels to the kite station in minutes.
El Gouna has accommodation options ranging from budget guesthouses to 5-star resorts, plus over 80 restaurants and bars, a marina, and a vibrant downtown area. It offers everything Hurghada does for a holiday, with the added benefit of the lagoon being right on your doorstep.
The Hurghada/El Gouna area enjoys some of the most consistent wind in the world. El Gouna records 300+ windy days per year with average wind speeds of 15–25 knots. The wind season runs virtually year-round, with the strongest and most consistent thermal winds from March to November. Even in the winter months (December–February), there are plenty of rideable days with 12–18 knots.
Air temperatures range from 20°C in winter to 35°C in summer, and water temperatures stay between 20°C and 28°C — meaning you never need a thick wetsuit. A thin lycra or 2mm shorty is sufficient for most of the year.
The easiest way to book is directly through Riah Kite Academy’s website at riahkiteacademy.com. You can also book via WhatsApp for immediate confirmation. Riah offers courses for all levels — from complete beginners who have never touched a kite, to advanced riders working on specific tricks or transitions.
Whether you fly into Hurghada for a dedicated kite trip or add a few kite sessions to an existing Red Sea holiday, El Gouna’s lagoon — just 20 minutes from the airport — is the best place to ride. Book your lesson with Riah Kite Academy and experience why El Gouna is rated as one of the top kite destinations in the world.
