Hurghada Kiteboarding Festival

Why Hurghada for Kiteboarding

Hurghada is one of the most consistent kiteboarding and windsurfing destinations in the world. The Red Sea here produces reliable thermal winds from spring through autumn - typically 15-25 knots - combined with flat, shallow lagoon water that suits both learners and experienced riders. The coastline north and south of the city centre has several dedicated kite beaches with easy water access and professional centres.

The annual Hurghada Kiteboarding Festival runs over five days in May, when wind conditions are consistently strong and sea temperatures are comfortable. It draws competitors from Egypt, Europe, and across the region.

What the Festival Involves

The competition covers kiteboarding and windsurfing disciplines across amateur and professional categories. Events typically include racing, freestyle, and slalom formats depending on wind conditions and the number of registered competitors.

Beyond the racing programme, the festival runs free-riding sessions for non-competitors, demo days where participants can test equipment from sponsoring brands, and coaching clinics run by certified instructors. In the evenings, the festival area around the beach has a social scene that draws the wider kite and wind sports community in Hurghada.

Who Should Go

The festival makes sense for three types of visitors. First, competitive riders who want to enter the amateur or professional categories - registration is handled through the festival organisers and requires entry fees and proof of experience for higher categories. Second, enthusiasts who want to ride in good conditions alongside a well-organised event without competing. Third, beginners who want to take a course while an active festival is running nearby; several Hurghada kite centres offer multi-day VDWS and IKO beginner courses year-round, and the festival period is a good excuse to schedule one.

Practical Information

Getting there: Hurghada International Airport receives direct flights from many European cities, particularly in the summer season. Transfers from the airport to kite beach hotels take about 15-30 minutes depending on the specific location.

Accommodation: Kite-focused hotels and camps cluster north of the city centre toward Sahl Hasheesh and along the northern spit. During festival week, rooms at kite-facing properties fill early. Book at least a month in advance.

Equipment rental: Most Hurghada kite centres have rental fleets covering sizes from 7m to 14m. If you are travelling with your own gear, most airlines allow kiteboarding bags as sports equipment - check baggage allowances before booking.

Weather: May in Hurghada is warm and mostly sunny, with daily highs around 33°C. Sea temperature is around 25°C. Winds are thermal and typically kick in by mid-morning, dying down in the evening.

See our Hurghada guide for where to stay and other things to do on the Red Sea coast.