El Gouna
A planned lagoon town on Egypt's Red Sea coast, known for kitesurfing and reef trips, a short drive north of Hurghada.
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El Gouna is a planned resort town on Egypt's Red Sea coast, a short drive north of Hurghada. Its core is a lagoon linked by canals, with a marina and shops and restaurants along the water. Visitors come for the sea: the lagoon is the usual base for kitesurf schools, and reefs lie offshore for snorkeling and diving. Most travelers fly into Hurghada International Airport and continue north by road.
Choose El Gouna over Hurghada if you want most things within a walkable waterfront area rather than a long strip of hotels. Hurghada has more town life beyond its resorts. Plan three to five days to cover the lagoon, a boat or reef day, and a kite lesson. The cooler months, roughly October to April, suit the sea and wind best. Summer is very hot.
El Gouna in five
- Read the UK advice for the Red Sea resortsThe UK advice covers diving boats, quad bikes and assault and harassment reports in Red Sea resorts. Those sections apply to El Gouna's hotels and operators, so read them before you book.UK travel advice
- Arrive with a visa; the Sinai resort stamp does not applyUK passport holders need an e-visa or a visa on arrival for El Gouna. Visitors usually fly into Hurghada and continue by road, so ask your hotel to arrange the transfer.Egypt visa and entry
- Ask kite and windsurf schools which months suit your levelWind sports are a main draw here. Book lessons before you travel, ask the school about wind seasons and rescue boats, and check that your policy lists the activity.
- Use El Gouna as a base for Hurghada's reef boatsDay boats to reefs and the Giftun Islands leave from the Hurghada area. Ask whether pickup from El Gouna is included, and book only with a licensed operator.Hurghada travel guide
- Compare the whole stay with a Hurghada baseA self-contained resort town changes what you spend on meals and transfers. Price a week here against Sakkala or a Hurghada resort bay for your dates before you commit.Hurghada or El Gouna?
Need to know
- Airport
- Hurghada (HRG); El Gouna is a road transfer north
- Getting there
- Road transfer from Hurghada airport; arrange it with your hotel
- Getting around
- Hotel shuttles and taxis inside the resort town
- Best base
- Near the marina for evenings; on the beach for kite and swimming
- Time needed
- 3–7 days; combine with a Hurghada night for reef trips
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, windyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh21°Low14°Mild, windyFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warming, kiteMarchClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warming, kite
- AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Warm, EasterAprilClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, Easter
- MayClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hot, kiteMayClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, kite
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Very hotJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°HottestJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low29°HottestAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 29°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Hot, warm seaSeptemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, warm sea
- OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Warm seaOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Mild, calmNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Mild, busyDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, busy
Average daily high and low in El Gouna, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in El Gouna
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 23°
- Humidity
- 38%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
El Gouna
12:00 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today33°25°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed30°25°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu29°23°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri27°23°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat25°21°0%Saturday: Clear. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun25°20°0%Sunday: Clear. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 11:55 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 55.96 EGP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Hurghadaa short drive southSakkala's restaurants, the marina and day boats to the Giftun Islands.Read the guide
- Luxora long drive inland each wayTemples and tombs; best as an overnight, not a same-day return.Read the guide
- Marsa Alama long drive south down the coastQuieter reefs and house reefs; better as a move than a day trip.Read the guide
Before you go to El Gouna
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for El Gouna, checked
- Most visitors need a visa for Egypt. The Sinai resort stamp does not apply to Hurghada arrivals; the fee and validity are on the Egypt page.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- Drinking alcohol anywhere other than licensed restaurants, bars, private homes or certain tourist resorts is illegal and can lead to arrest.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Plan around El Gouna
The bigger resort town and the airport city to the south
Read the guideHurghada or El Gouna?A planned lagoon resort against a busy resort town
Read the guideDay trips from HurghadaGiftun boats and desert outings, and why Luxor needs a night
Read the guideMarsa Alam travel guideQuiet southern reefs, a long drive down the coast
Read the guideRed Sea coastHow the Red Sea towns compare for reef and beach
Read the guideBest time to visit EgyptMonths, heat and seasons across the country
Read the guideAll of EgyptCairo, the Nile and the Red Sea in one plan
Read the guideEl Gouna FAQ
Is El Gouna worth visiting?
Yes if you want a compact, planned resort town with a marina, lagoons and kite lessons. If you prefer a lived-in Egyptian town with markets and cheaper meals, Hurghada's old town is a better fit.
How far is El Gouna from Hurghada airport?
A short road transfer, usually well under an hour. Ask your hotel to arrange it so the fare and pickup are agreed in advance, and avoid driving yourself outside resorts at night.
Should you stay in El Gouna or Hurghada?
El Gouna for a calm, self-contained base with lagoons and wind sports. Hurghada for more restaurants and nightlife, cheaper options and easier boat departures. Compare totals for your dates before choosing.
Is El Gouna good for kitesurfing?
Wind sports are a main draw on this stretch of coast, and schools offer lessons for beginners. Ask which months have the steadiest wind for your level and make sure your insurance lists the activity.
Do you need a visa for El Gouna?
UK passport holders do: an e-visa, applied for at least 7 days before departure, or a visa on arrival at an approved airport. The Sinai resort stamp does not apply to Hurghada arrivals.