Kite safari in Egypt: what to expect from a week on the boat
I have been on Mohamed's kite safari in the Red Sea several times. A week costs €1,250 plus fees paid on site, and there is a beginner course on board.
Level: Beginner
A kite safari in Egypt gives the most to riders who already ride on their own after a course. If you can't ride on your own yet, start with a course on the coast. There is also a 6-day beginner course on board (€600 with gear); Mohamed confirms how many instructors come along with your dates. Feeling unsure about this at the start is completely normal.
A kite safari is a week on a yacht in the Red Sea. You sleep, eat and rest on board, and the crew picks the spot (the place where you ride) by the wind, usually at Geisum, Abu Minqar or Ashrafi. You ride in lagoons, sheltered bays by the islands with shallow water. The trip I know well is run by Mohamed from Paradise Kitesurf Red Sea: 8 days and 7 nights, all-inclusive, starting and ending in Hurghada. I have been on it several times, and I have a video from the safari at Geisum and Ashrafi.
The 2026 price is €1,250 per person in a twin cabin. On top of that you pay your flight, a tourist visa and insurance. Marine park and marina fees and crew tips are paid on site; I confirm the current amount with your dates. Gear rental and lessons are extra if you need them.
What a day on a kite safari looks like
On days 2-6 of a Red Sea kite safari there are 2 kite sessions (blocks of time on the water), in the morning and in the afternoon, with lunch on the boat in between; day 7 has a last session.
This is the programme day by day:
- Day 1: arrival in Hurghada, transfer to the port, meeting the crew and the other kiters, moving into your cabin, safety briefing (boat rules, kite zones, wind), dinner on board.
- Day 2: morning yoga, breakfast, sailing to the first spot chosen by the forecast, a morning session and the start of the beginner courses, lunch on board, an afternoon session with freeride (riding freely for fun), tricks and downwinds (longer rides with the wind from one place to another), sunset and BBQ.
- Days 3-6: yoga, breakfast and a briefing, sailing to an island that suits the conditions (for example Ashrafi or Geisum), kiting, downwinds between islands, courses, snorkelling or diving when conditions allow, lunch, an afternoon session, wakeboarding when conditions allow, video coaching in the evening (going through footage of your riding), BBQ on the boat or on the beach.
- Day 7: last session, group photos, lunch, back to the port, last night on the boat or in a hotel in Hurghada.
- Day 8: breakfast, packing, transfer to the airport or to the kite centre.
As a beginner, your course runs in the lagoon during the sessions. The downwinds in the programme are for people who already ride on their own.
On the island there is a beach setup with a tent, a carpet, water, chilled drinks and fruit. The beach boys (crew members on the beach) help with launching and landing, and the crew sets up your gear, keeps a rescue boat on the water and organises the downwinds.
According to a guest's review on Paradise's site, the spots mostly have offshore wind, which blows from the shore out to sea. It gives flat water, but if you get into trouble, the wind carries you away from the island and out to sea. That is why a rescue boat watches the water and picks up anyone who cannot get back.
Who a kite safari is for
A kiteboarding safari gives the most to riders who already ride on their own; beginners come with the course on board.
- Beginners. You can take a 6-day intensive course on board for €600 including gear. If you have had lessons before, a refresh course (a shorter course to brush up after a break) costs €180 for 3 hours. Lessons run in shallow lagoons, and on islands like Tawila and Abu Mungar the bottom is sandy. In shallow water you learn faster because you can stand up, reset and try again. A week does not guarantee that you will ride on your own by the end; that depends on the wind and on you. If you are starting from zero, my guide on how to learn kitesurfing explains the steps.
- Intermediate and experienced riders. Freeride, freestyle (tricks and jumps) and wave riders (riding on waves) all find something. Downwinds between the islands are part of the programme.
- Non-kiters. Mohamed's 2026 offer says it directly: "Beginners and Non-Kiters are welcome on-board." Snorkelling gear, fishing gear and wakeboarding behind the boat are included, there is yoga in the programme, and diving and massages cost extra.
- Groups. There is a special offer for groups. Ask about it through the form.
One of the guests, Jan Procházka, wrote: "Generally I always thought that kitesafari is only for pros, but since kiting is done on spots with shallows, everyone can find their own."
A safari is a worse fit if you want trips on land every day or a lot of time alone. You share the boat with the same people for a week.
What is included in the price and what is not
The 2026 price of €1,250 per person covers life on board, food and drinks, the beach setup, the crew's help and transfers.
Included in the price:
- a cabin with air conditioning, a fridge, a toilet and a shower
- full board 3 times a day as a buffet, snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks
- Wi-Fi
- the beach setup (tent, carpet, water, chilled drinks, fruit)
- storage for kite and wing foil gear on the boat, a compressor and pumps (in wing foiling you hold a wing in your hands and ride a hydrofoil, a board with a wing on a mast under it that lifts it above the water)
- beach boys who carry and pump your gear and help you launch and land
- a rescue boat
- wakeboarding behind the boat, fishing gear, snorkelling gear
- transfers airport - yacht - airport
Price and extra costs:
| Item | Price (2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Safari, twin cabin (2 beds) | €1,250 per person | 8 days / 7 nights, all-inclusive |
| Cabin with a double bed | +€100 per person | for 2 people |
| TOP SEA VIEW suite with a double bed | +€200 per person | for 2 people |
| Single cabin | on request | |
| Marine park and marina fees, crew tips | paid on site | I confirm the current amount with your dates. |
| Tourist visa for Egypt | 25-30 USD | The organiser's 2026 price list says 25 USD. According to UK government travel advice, a visa bought on arrival costs 30 USD, cash only. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs dates the 30 USD fee to 1 March 2026. |
| Flight to and from Hurghada | your own booking | not included |
| Travel insurance covering kiting | your own policy | recommended |
| Personal expenses | as you go | not included |
Optional extras (2026 price list):
| Extra | Price |
|---|---|
| Complete kite gear rental | €300 / 6 days |
| Twintip rental (the board most beginners learn on) | €60 / 6 days |
| Beginner course (6-day intensive, gear included) | €600 |
| Refresh course | €180 for 3 hours, €330 for 6 hours |
| Private lesson | €65 per hour |
| Diving | €50 per 45-minute dive (2 dives) |
| Massage, 45 minutes | €35 |
| Individual kite photos | €2 per photo |
IKO certification (a certificate of your kiting level from the International Kiteboarding Organization) is not included and requires at least 8 hours with an instructor.
The boat and the cabins
On the most recent dates the safari ran on M/Y Hermes, formerly M/Y New Francesca. It is a wooden yacht, 36 m long and 7.5 m wide, with 3 decks, 10 deluxe cabins and 2 suites. The boat is chartered, so the yacht for future dates is confirmed together with the dates.
The standard option is a twin cabin with 2 beds. A cabin with a double bed (depending on the boat for your dates) costs €100 extra per person and the TOP SEA VIEW suite €200 extra per person, both for 2 people; a cabin for 1 person is on request.
Outside the cabins there is a sun deck, a jacuzzi and a bar, and your kite and wing gear is stored on board. Daniela Kohnová, another guest, described it like this: "The boat was very nice and big, 3 storeys with a jacuzzi and a terrace and deck chairs. [...] The cooking was really good!" She also mentioned that vegetarians would find something to their liking.
The islands in brief
The crew picks the spot by the wind, usually Geisum, Abu Minqar or Ashrafi. Tawila is visited only by prior arrangement because entry is paid, and Gubal when guests want to dive. Wind is given in knots, the unit kiters use for wind speed.
| Island | What it is like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Tawila | huge turquoise lagoon, steady wind 15-25 knots, shallow water, sandy bottom | freeride, freestyle |
| Geisum | one of the least crowded spots, long beaches, downwinds to the next islands, shallow and deeper water | freeride, wave |
| Abu Mungar (Abu Minqar) | smaller island with a lagoon, shallow calm water, sand | calm-water practice, trick training |
| Ashrafi | the most remote spot, shallow water and waves, downwinds | advanced riders |
| Gubal | snorkelling and diving, stronger wind, deeper water, coral reefs, near the SS Thistlegorm wreck | divers who kite |
I wrote more about each spot in the guide to the Red Sea kite safari islands.
How a kite safari differs from a kite holiday in a hotel or camp
On a kite safari your accommodation moves with the wind. In a hotel or camp you ride the spot in front of your base or drive to another one, and on days when that spot does not work you wait or travel.
- Crowds. The island lagoons have few riders. Spots in front of hotels and kite stations tend to be busier.
- Freedom on land. A hotel or camp gives you town, restaurants and rest days on your own terms. On a boat you follow the group's rhythm.
- Cost structure. The safari is one all-inclusive price plus fees paid on site. With a hotel you put the room, food, kite station and transfers together yourself.
If you have never kited in the area, the guide to the best time to kitesurf in Egypt will help you think about which month to go.
How to sign up
2026 departures: 11-18 April, 22-29 May, 10-17 October and 7-14 November. The 2027 dates have not been published yet. If you are a beginner, mention your level in the form and whether you want the 6-day course (€600) or a refresh course (€180 for 3 hours). You can send an enquiry or ask for a note when the dates are out through the form on the kite safari Egypt page.
Before you go, my kite safari packing list covers what is worth taking on board.
Questions
Can I go on a kite safari in Egypt as a beginner?
If you can't ride on your own yet, start with a course on the coast. The safari gives the most to riders who already ride on their own after a course. There is also a 6-day beginner course on board (€600 with gear); Mohamed confirms how many instructors come along with your dates.
How much does a kite safari in Egypt cost?
The 2026 price is €1,250 per person for 8 days and 7 nights in a twin cabin, all-inclusive. On top you pay flights, a tourist visa and insurance. Marine park and marina fees and crew tips are paid on site; I confirm the current amount with your dates.
Is kite gear included in the safari price?
No. The price covers storage for your kite and wing gear, a compressor, pumps and beach boys. If you do not bring your own, a complete kite set costs €300 for 6 days and a twintip alone €60 for 6 days.
Can non-kiters come on a kite safari?
Yes. The 2026 offer says non-kiters are welcome on board. Snorkelling gear, fishing gear and wakeboarding behind the boat are included, and diving and massages are available for an extra charge.
When are the kite safari dates for 2027?
The 2027 dates have not been published yet. You can leave your contact in the form on the safari page to get a note when they are out.
Sources
- Kite safari 8 days / 7 nights from Hurghada, all-inclusive, 2026 price €1,250 per person, supplements +€100 and +€200 per person, 4 dates in 2026 paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Included and not included in the price, optional extras and their prices (gear €300/6 days, twintip €60/6 days, course €600, refresh €180/€330, lessons €65/h, diving €50, massage €35, photos €2); marine park, marina and crew tips paid separately paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Day-by-day programme, crew duties, islands Tawila (steady wind 15-25 knots), Geisum, Abu Mungar, Ashrafi, Gubal near the SS Thistlegorm wreck paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Guest reviews by Jan Procházka and Daniela Kohnová paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Organiser's 2026 offer (WhatsApp safari group): IKO certification minimum 8 hours with an instructor, 'Beginners and Non-Kiters are welcome on-board' paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Guest review (Jan Procházka): the spots are mostly with offshore winds, flat water paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Hermes: length 36 m, beam 7.5 m, 3 decks, 10 twin cabins and 2 master suites with a double bed www.liveaboard.com (checked 16 October 2026)
- Deck plan from the organiser (WhatsApp safari group, 29 Sep 2026): M/Y Hermes, formerly M/Y New Francesca, wooden, 10 deluxe cabins and 2 suites paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Visa bought on arrival at approved Egyptian airports costs 30 US dollars, cash only www.gov.uk (checked 16 October 2026)
- IKO = International Kiteboarding Organization; the IKO certificate certifies your level of kitesurfing paradisekitesurf.cz (checked 16 October 2026)
- Tourist visa bought on arrival at Hurghada airport costs 30 USD from 1 March 2026 (previously 25 USD) mzv.gov.cz (checked 16 October 2026)