On a kite trip in Egypt - on the road with Anne

After taking a break from kitesurfing due to an injury and her last pregnancy, Anne is finally back on the water! She’s fit again, turned her back on the Nordic winter/spring, and traveled for KiteWorldWide. Read how she enjoyed her days in Seahorse Bay during her kite trip in Egypt and everything she experienced there.

At last, it was off to a KiteWorldWide destination in Egypt. With the promise of warm sun and sand between her toes, Anne’s expectations were even topped by plenty of wind. But more on that later.

Anne knows the Seahorse Bay spot from 2012. She had to laugh—so much has changed over the years, and all for the better.
If, like Anne, you plan your kite trip to Egypt in Seahorse Bay, you’ll now find more rooms than back then—there are 11 in total. There’s a pool to cool off in summer after or between kite sessions, and a sauna that relaxes your muscles after kiting in winter. Anne was also thrilled with the sun loungers on the terrace overlooking the sea. Seahorse Bay has become a green oasis with blossoming trees and flowers—a great contrast at the edge of the desert.

What also stands out is the organization of the kite club—quite European, yet with Egyptian flair. For example, the kitchen runs efficiently, so you don’t have to wait long for your meal. And you don’t need to worry about germs: in Seahorse Bay, tap water runs through a filter system. So ice and salads are no problem. Eggs and meat are also safe to enjoy. The food and dishes in Seahorse Bay are incredibly tasty and super varied, Anne raves. You just end up eating too much. And if you can’t resist the Snickers in the fridge, they’re always restocked. So the risk of flying home heavier—even with lots of kiting—is pretty high.

Anne was in the right place at the right time. From day one the wind was so good she started with a 10 m kite. At times she even used a 12 m, and after a few days the wind picked up enough for a 6 m. In Seahorse Bay the wind starts around 10 a.m., so you can plan to be on the water from after breakfast until sunset. During Anne’s stay, the sunset and moonrise were even visible at the same time.

The spot is just perfect for beginners. The lagoon is shallow over a wide area, guaranteeing fast progress. There was a cool group there at the same time as Anne—everyone was in top spirits. The kite beginners rode their first meters on day 2 and 3, which doubled the good vibes.

Anne checked the wind from the terrace at the all-round spot right out front. Then she grabbed her gear and in just a few minutes was on the beach setting up. The spot is tidal, but even at low tide there’s plenty of water in the “pool.” In the launch/land area, if you walk about 500 m out, it’s sand underfoot. Then comes a strip of coral/rocks, which you’re already kiting over once you tack out. If you ride all the way to the reef, you might even get a 1 m wave, Anne reveals. The blue lagoon in front of Seahorse Bay is expansive, and you can roam wherever you like. And here’s something special: the number of kiters in Seahorse Bay is capped at just 25!

For those who need a break from kiting—or don’t kite at all—there are organized excursions. For example, a day trip to El Gouna: a man-made town, very clean and very touristic, with many restaurants and bars around the marina. El Gouna is almost entirely hotels, from large golf resorts to smaller boutique hotels. With different price ranges, everyone finds what they want. Anne says it’s nice to see this created world—but just as nice to return to Seahorse Bay, with far less hustle and a family-style kite life.

There’s also plenty beyond kiting to discover. If you like, take a day trip to Luxor. Go hiking in the mountains in the morning or ride in the desert in the afternoon—both are easy to arrange. Craving action? A quad tour through the desert is spot on. Or sway through the landscape on a camel. If you don’t want to turn your back on board sports, hit the wake park in El Gouna, or grab a SUP at Seahorse Bay and paddle out to the reef. Best bring snorkel gear to watch the many big and small fish underwater. Or join one of the boat snorkel trips. The choice is yours—decide what you want to experience and when.