The Complete Guide to Diving and Kitesurfing in El Gouna

For Adventurers Who Want to Dive Deeper, Ride Higher & Paddle Freely.

Welcome to El Gouna, the Red Sea’s crown jewel and Egypt’s ultimate aquatic playground. This isn’t your average coastal town. It’s a destination built for the bold. For travelers who crave salt in their hair, adrenaline in their veins, and the kind of days that start with a sunrise paddle and end with a sunset dive.

Whether you're a seasoned diver chasing wrecks and coral walls or a first-time kitesurfer looking to fly across turquoise lagoons, El Gouna delivers with style, substance, and soul.

Here’s why El Gouna is the best watersports destination:

Scuba Diving in El Gouna: Explore the Depths of the Red Sea

Top Dive Sites Near El Gouna

• Abu Nuhas Shipwrecks
  Four wrecks. One reef. Endless stories. This site is a must for wreck lovers.


• Fanadir Reef
  Ideal for beginners and pros alike. Expect vibrant corals, moray eels, lionfish, and maybe even a passing turtle.


• Umm Gammar Island
  Drift dives, overhangs, and dramatic drop-offs. A feast for your senses, and your GoPro.


• Shaab El Erg (Dolphin House)
  Want to dive with dolphins? This horseshoe-shaped reef is a hotspot for spinner dolphin sightings.


• Careless Reef
  A twin pinnacle site with strong currents and stunning biodiversity. Expect big pelagics, clouds of anthias, and some of the most vibrant coral formations in the entire Red Sea. Not for the faint-hearted, but unforgettable for those who dare.
  

  Best Dive Centers in El Gouna

  
  


• Dream Team Divers – Three Corners Rihana Resort
  Young, innovative, and deeply experienced, Dream Team Divers lives up to its name. Located on the beach at Three Corners Rihana Resort, this PADI 5-Star IDC center offers reef and wreck dives, snorkeling excursions, and a range of PADI courses. With a fleet that includes the spacious 'Light Blue' and the speedy 'WaveDancer,' they cater to both beginners and seasoned divers seeking adventure and exploration.


• Scuba World Divers– Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna & Moevenpick Resort El Gouna
  Your go-to for PADI certifications, refreshers, and smooth daily boat dives. New to diving? Start here and start strong.


• The Dive Connection – Club Paradisio
  Run by passionate pros who treat every dive like the adventure it should be. Flexible, friendly, and fiercely focused on safety, they’ve earned their reputation one perfect descent at a time.


• Blue Brothers Diving – Cook's Club El Gouna
  One of El Gouna’s originals—and still setting the bar. From house reef check dives to full-day boat trips, they know every reef and wreck worth diving. Zero hype, all depth.
  These centers offer PADI and SSI courses, gear rental, and guided dives, which is perfect whether you're chasing your Open Water certification or looking for that bucket-list drift.
  

  Best Season for Diving?

  
  You can dive year-round, but the sweet spot is April to November, when the water is warm (26–30°C), visibility is crystal clear, and marine life is thriving.

   
  

  Youth Diving

  
  If you thought that diving is an activity reserved for adults, then you haven’t tried the programs that are offered to youngsters in several of El Gouna’s diving centers from the age of 8. Courses such as PADI Bubble Maker, Discover Scuba Diving, Junior Scuba Diving, Junior Open Water Diving, and snorkelling courses are offered all around El Gouna. Simply ask any of the centers for more information about them, and they will be happy to guide you to the course and its requirements.  

   
  

  Special Needs Diving

  
  Diving is an activity that can be available to anyone, and in El Gouna, the diving centers take this premise very seriously. Divers with reduced mobility are offered the opportunity to dive with one of the center’s diving instructors in any of the following diving centers:  Orca Dive Club in Turtle’s Inn, or Scuba World Diving Center in Sheraton Miramar and Movenpick Resort and Spa. Aside from experience with diving with divers, the centers have specially prepared boats that accommodate their special needs and ensure that they feel safe and can make the best of their experience.

  
  

  Snorkeling in El Gouna

  
  Not ready to go full scuba? Snorkeling in El Gouna is no consolation prize—it’s a front-row ticket to an underwater show.
  

  Top Spots to Snorkel

  
  
  
  
  • Zeytouna Island
    Reachable by shuttle boat or boardwalk, this island offers crystal-clear shallows with easy reef access.
    
  • Scuba World – Sheraton Miramar Resort El Gouna
    Step straight from the jetty into a technicolor reef. This spot blends five-star ease with front-row access to Red Sea magic—perfect for laid-back snorkelers who still want wow-factor.
    
  • Makani Beach Club El Gouna
    More than just a beach hangout. With calm, shallow waters and vibrant reef edges just offshore, Makani serves up chilled vibes and surprisingly rich marine life—ideal for a morning float or a golden hour snorkel.
    
  • Orca Dive Club
    Don’t let the name fool you; Orca’s snorkeling game is strong. Known for safe, guided reef excursions with marine-savvy instructors, it’s a top pick for families or first-timers who want to get close without going deep. Snorkeling here means minimal gear, maximum wonder; just a mask, fins, and a sense of adventure.
    
  
  
  

  Kitesurfing in El Gouna: Ride the Wind, Own the Moment

  
  El Gouna is a kitesurfing paradise. With its shallow waters, sandy beaches, and side-onshore winds, this place isn’t just friendly to beginners; it’s a haven for pros.

   
  

  Introducing: Riah Kitesurfing Center

  
  The new Riah Kitesurfing Center is the place to be.

  Here’s what makes it stand out
  

  
  
  • World-class coaching for every level, from total rookies to freestyling beasts
    
  
  
  • Certified instructors and high-end rental gear.
    
  
  
  • Consistent wind conditions and spacious lagoons.
    
  
  
  • A laid-back beachfront vibe that blends sport, lifestyle, and community. It’s not just a center; it’s a culture. Come for the wind, stay for the scene.
  
  
  
   
  

  Other Top Kitesurf Spots

  
  
  
  
  • Element Watersports – Near Mangroovy Beach
    One of the most popular kite hubs in town. Think: flat water, reliable wind, and high-level coaching in a chilled but serious setup. Whether you're here for progression or just a smooth session, Element delivers.
  
  
  • Kiteboarding Club El Gouna (KBC) – North Mangroovy Beach
    This is El Gouna’s OG kite center. Perfect for beginners, with forgiving shallow lagoons, pro instructors, and a friendly vibe. Learning here doesn’t feel like school—it feels like freedom.
  
  
  • Red Sea Zone
    If you're chasing performance, this is your spot. Known for advanced coaching, kite safaris, and fast-track improvement. The scene is tight-knit, the instruction is elite, and the wind? Always working.
  
  
  • Osmosis Kiteboarding – Club Paradisio El Gouna
    Exclusive. Intimate. Underrated. Osmosis has its own private beach and kitesurf zone, making it a rare gem for riders who want space, calm, and personalized coaching. Whether you're cruising or carving, you’ll feel like you’ve got the Red Sea to yourself.
  
  
  
  Best Wind Months? March to October. But truthfully, El Gouna catches the wind almost year-round.

   
  

  Windsurfing in El Gouna: Glide Across a Desert Breeze

  
  Windsurfing has its own rhythm: fast, free, and fluid. And El Gouna is tuned in.
  

  Where to Windsurf

  
  
  
  
  • Mövenpick Resort & Spa El Gouna offers direct beach access with windsurfing stations and expert lessons.
    
  
  
  • Club Paradisio El Gouna provides top-notch boards and sails for rent, plus easy launch zones.
  
  
  
  With its flat water and strong thermal winds, El Gouna offers ideal learning conditions, no waves, no stress. Just speed and flow.

  
  

  When the Wind Drops: Wakeboarding in El Gouna

  
  No wind? No problem. When the kites rest, wakeboarding takes the stage, and El Gouna delivers. Head to Sliders Cable & Aqua Parks, one of the world's largest and most advanced wakeboarding complexes.

  With clockwise and counterclockwise cables, pro-grade obstacles, and a vibe that screams "full send," it’s the perfect alternative for kitesurfers looking to stay sharp. Whether you're fine-tuning tricks or just riding for fun, wakeboarding here isn’t a backup plan—it’s a full-throttle experience in its own right.

   
  

  Paddleboarding in El Gouna: Serenity on the Surface

  
  Need a break from the rush? Grab a paddleboard and explore El Gouna from a peaceful new angle.
  
  
  
  • Drift through lagoons at Casa Cook El Gouna, Club Paradisio, and the Club House
    
  
  
  • Paddle past mangroves or sunrise surf along the coast
    
  
  
  • Book yoga SUP sessions for an extra balance challenge
  
  
  
  Paddleboarding is ideal for calm mornings, solo resets, or just soaking up that Red Sea magic at your own pace.

  
  

  Tips for Planning Your Water Sports Holiday in El Gouna

  
  
  
  
  • Pack reef-safe sunscreen: Protect your skin and the coral.
    
  
  
  • Book dive/kite packages in advance: Spots fill fast, especially in peak season.
    
  
  
  • Hydrate and rest: The Red Sea sun doesn’t play.
    
  
  
  • Check wind forecasts: Sites like Windy or Windguru are your new best friends.
    
  
  
  • Try something new: Whether it’s kite lessons or your first dive, El Gouna is built for firsts.
  
  
  
  

  Best Time to Visit

  
  El Gouna is a year-round escape, but timing is everything if you're chasing specific water thrills.

  Scuba diving and snorkeling? The sweet spot runs from April to November, when water temps hit that perfect range, warm enough for long dives, cool enough to keep marine life thriving. Visibility is crystal clear, and the Red Sea reefs are buzzing with activity.

  Kitesurfing and wind sports? Peak wind season kicks in from May through September, delivering consistent thermal winds and glassy lagoons. This is when the pros come out, the trick sessions heat up, and the sky fills with color and motion.

  Visiting in summer? Expect it to be hot, but the water stays inviting. Early mornings and late afternoons are your golden hours. Plus, fewer crowds mean more space, whether you're carving through waves or floating over coral.

  No matter when you come, the water’s waiting. But if you time it right, El Gouna becomes more than a trip; it becomes your element.

  
  

  Craving the Sea? Make El Gouna Your Next Move

  
  El Gouna isn’t just a resort town. It’s a living, breathing playground for water lovers. The kind of place where you don’t just sit by the sea; you live in it. Where adventure isn’t an option, but a way of life.

  So book your stay. Pack your wetsuit. And answer the call of the Red Sea.

  Because in El Gouna, the water doesn’t wait. And neither should you.

   
  

  Take Advantage of El Gouna’s Exclusive Offers

  
  Looking to upgrade your aquatic adventure with a little extra luxury? You’re in the right place. El Gouna’s handpicked hotel offers are designed for travelers who move smart, book early, and demand more from every stay.
  From limited-time discounts and value-packed packages to flexible booking perks, there’s always a way to stay better for less. Whether you’re diving deep or soaking up the sun in five-star comfort, these exclusive deals let you stretch your trip without stretching your budget.

  Plan ahead. Book smart. And make every moment in El Gouna count.

  Explore Offers