Fly

You can get to Dahab through a couple of tour operators: http://www.clubvass.com/pages/club-dahab Tel. 01920 484121, www.sportif.travel Tel.01273 844919 andwww.planetwindsurf.co.uk. Tel. 0870 749 1959

Prices per week start at about £425 off-peak and go up to about £685 during peak season including flights, transfer and breakfast or half board. Flights to Dahab go from either Gatwick or Manchester to Sharm El Sheikh and take about 5 hours.

Flights only websites

www.meridianlinetravel.co.uk with charter flights from £300

www.cheapflights.co.uk with charter flights starting from £250

Transfer

The transfer from Sharm El Sheikh takes about one hour. Make sure that when you leave England you have plenty of pound coins as the trolleys at the airport in Egypt cost £2. The local Egyptians will help carry any windsurfing equipment you have to your transfer vehicle, but will expect a tip of a pound or so.

Taking your own kit

If you plan on taking your own windsurfing equipment, Britannia airways charges you £30 per board. Make sure that you weigh your baggage before you get to the airport because they are now really strict about the weight limit. You must ensure that each bag is not so much as 1 kilo over the 32 kilo limit, otherwise they will not take it.

All the windsurfing centres in Dahab have ample storage for private kit, but do pre-book. (See centres details in instruction) Kit storage costs about thirty pounds a week.

The wind in Dahab is a thermal wind, and because the climate changes very little throughout the year, it is pretty much windy here every day.

The wind usually starts to blow at about 6am in the morning and will last up to at least 2pm. On a good day it can blow right up to sunset. A good indication that it is going to be very windy the next day, is when it starts to get windy just after sunset on the previous night.

The average wind strength in the summer is a force 5-6, but it can sometimes get up to as much as a force 7-8. The windiest months are July and August, but it is windy here all year round. The wind blows from the N/NW and is off shore to the main beach. However, since the bay is horseshoe shaped, getting back to the beach is never a problem, even for beginners.

Go to http://www.clubvass.com/pages/club-dahab for weekly wind stats.

Lagoon

The protected lagoon is directly in front of Club Dahab and, with its flat water and gentler winds, is ideal for total beginners and the less experienced.

Speed Strip

This huge expanse of flat water with superbly clean winds is ideal for perfecting carve gybes and high wind freestyle manoeuvres without crowding.

Outer Reef

Beyond the outer reef, the truly hardcore will find a perfect wave playground of big rolling swell, ideal for getting the hang of wave-riding and of course plenty of air.

The water state in Dahab is predominately flat. The Lagoon is fairly flat water but can become choppy as the wind builds. On the other side of the sand spit that borders the Lagoon, you will find a very flat-water location called ”Speedy”. Since it is further away from the land it is much less gusty here. There is a floating pontoon out here, where you can take a rest and tie up your boards. There is also a flag on the pontoon that can be raised if you get into any trouble or spot anyone else in trouble. This will notify one of the many rescue boats that will come to your assistance. All of the centres constantly keep a look out for anybody in difficulty.

There are many centres in Dahab, all of which have very good instructors. Whether you are a complete beginner or want to learn to vulcan or spock, these guys can help you.

• Club Dahab are based at the Ganet Sinai Hotel. You can book from the UK or you can turn up and book lessons and kit. A 10 hour beginner course costs 140 euros, one hour’s private lesson is 55 euros. One week’s kit hire is 175 euros. One week’s storage of private kit is 45 euros. They can also arrange kitesurfing and lessons http://www.clubvass.com/pages/club-dahab
• Fun System Center at the Swiss Inn Hotel: one week rental of board and rigs is 185 euros, 2 weeks 299 euros. 6 hours of beginner lessons is 100 euros. Go to www.fun-system.com for more details.
• Happy Surf Dahab: one week rental of board and rigs is 185 euros, 2 weeks 330 euros. 8 hours beginner lessons are 165 euros, 6 hour advanced lessons are 110 euros. Emailssh.4u@web.de

There is a huge amount of accommodation to choose from in Dahab, all of which welcome windsurfers. They are all furnished to a high, Egyptian quality.

Some examples:

Hilton Dahab Resort: Go towww.hilton.com/worldwideresorts or Tel. +20 69 640310

Coral Coast Hotel: double room with halfboard is 44 euros per night,
www.coralcoasthotel.com

Iberotel Dahabeya: Go towww.iberotel-eg.com or Tel. +20 27 381125

Swiss Inn Hotel:goldenbeach@swissinn.net Tel. +20 69 640054

Khattab Hotel: double room with aircon is 25 US dollars per night
hossin3@hotmail.com

Blue Beach Club: double room, sea facing is 30 US dollars per night
reservations@bluebeachclub.com

Most of the hotels in Dahab offer half board and the food is incredible. At the Hilton, where I stayed, the restaurant follows a specific theme each night. Throughout the week, you have the opportunity to sample food dishes from all around the world. On a Monday night it is particularly worth coming to the Hilton for dinner. This night is called the Streets of Cairo and all the food is cooked outside. There is also traditional Egyptian style music and dancing.

If you wish to eat out, the local town of Masbat is only a five-minute taxi journey away. The Taxis are very cheap but you do have to barter. Pick-ups are cheaper than taxis and you should not expect to pay any more than five Egyptian pounds (fifty pence) per-person each way. In Masbat you are spoilt for choice, as there are restaurants all over the place. Food here is relatively cheap and a large meal, including wine, will cost about ten pounds.

There aren’t any night clubs in Dahab, but the hotels have many bars, all within a short walking distance of each other. In addition, two of the centres actually have their own bars. The Harry Nass Centre has a great bar with views overlooking the bay, as does Club Dahab’s Centre. The town of Masbat has many bars to choose from and if you wish to party through to the early hours, you are in luck! The bars appear to only close as the last person leaves. Taxis will still be operating at this time; however, you will have to pay a little more, perhaps ten Egyptian pounds per person (one pound).

Diving: The conditions in the Red Sea are unrivalled worldwide with exceptional visibility (up to 30m). Dahab is also home to some of the worlds most famous and challenging dives such as the Blue Hole and the Canyon.

There are lots of diving schools associated with the beach hotels. A good English company is Club Dahab Diving. One dive costs 22 euros, a PADI 5 day Open water course costs 180 euros. You can also rent diving and snorkelling equipment. Tel. 0844 463 0191,http://www.clubvass.com/pages/club-dahab-padi-diving

Snorkelling: Aqua Sports Centre do 3 hour snorkelling excursions to the Blue Hole dive site for 7 euros per person. Book out there.

I have been going to Dahab for about four years now and thoroughly love it. The windsurfing is just incredible, the food is amazing and the Egyptian people are so friendly. If you have never been to Egypt before and want a holiday that can offer you great windsurfing every day, I recommend that you go to Dahab as soon as you can!

Name: Terry Luxton
Local beach in the UK: Exmouth, Devon
How many years sailing: 15 yrs
Last windsurf move you cracked: one handed flaka
What you’re working on now: switch stance everything

Fly into Hurghada or Mars Alam. The transfer from Hurghada takes about one hour, from Mars Alam about two hours. Taxis are available for this transfer if it’s not part of your package. You can also fly from Cairo on Egypt Air which operates five flights a day between Cairo and Hurghada.

Airlines that fly to Hurghada:

• British Airways,
• Airtours,
• Lufthansa

Most windsurfers go on a package holiday to Safaga. Try www.sportif.travel or phone them on +44 (0) 1273 844914

The Safaga wind is basically a thermal wind which increases in strength with the temperature different between Cairo and Luxor. This is most prominent in the summertime. Therefore the most regular winds are from March to the end of November with wind speeds between a Force 4 to 7. The best month in this period is September. In December & January the wind is a bit more inconsistent, but still up to a Force 4 for 40% to 50% of the time. February brings very strong winds from the desert but they are mainly cross offshore. During the season Safaga has two wind directions; in the morning it’s cross offshore but from lunch time onwards it goes side shore, all from the LEFT.

Local wind forecast: www.windfinder.com

Tobia Island: The Island is a little known sand bank located in the middle of Safaga Bay surrounded by coral reefs. The windsurf centres runs excursions to the island and you can windsurf the 3.5km across to it.

Safaga doesn’t have pure flat water – it’s always a bit choppy, but it can actually get quite good waves. It all depends on the strength of the wind but in a good blow you can get waves up to 1.5 metres at some parts of the bay. In normal wind conditions the waves are perfect for freestyle and chop hops.

Club Mistral has their oldest and largest centre worldwide in Safaga. It is the main windsurfing centre in Safaga. Their Mistral boards include the NTrance, Explosion, Screamer, Joker, Syncro and Beast. The sails are North including the Voodoo, Duke, Disco and Crossfire ranges. You can check out all their prices for pre-booked holidays here: » Club Mistral

(To turn up on the day, the prices are about 10% higher)

Taking own kit

Club Mistral will let you store your own kit for £35 per week. You will be charged £15 to transfer your kit from the airport.

There are several along the beach but with varying standards. The Shams Hotel has recently been re-furbished and is probably the best of the lot. 
» Shams Safaga.

You can stay on an all-inclusive or half board package. The accommodation consists of a main hotel building and bungalows all with sea views right in front of Club Mistral. You can book through www.sportif.travel or www.club-mistral.com.

Cost: £400-£500 per week, half board with flights & transfer and kit hire.

The other hotel to recommend is the Sol Y Mar(Safaga Palace) which is a 5 min walk down the beach to Club Mistral. Prices with Sportif start from £444 per week.

Others

Lotus Bay Hotel: lotusbay.com
Holiday Inn: www.ichotelsgroup.com

There are a few restaurants available in Safaga but the majority are located in Hurghada which, on the new highway, takes less than 40 minutes to drive to.

There is a supermarket just outside Shams Hotel but most windsurfers eat in the hotels for dinner.

Safaga has one “bar”, so if you’re after nightlife, head to Hurghada.

Try kitesurfing

If you must, then go to www.myskyriders.com

You can get a 6 hour beginner lesson for 185 euro!

Go diving

The Red Sea is one of the most famous diving destinations in the world. You can also go snorkelling to Tobia Island with the following company.

Go to: www.shams-dive.com

Take a trip to Luxor

Go to www.sultanatours.net

Play golf

For golfers there is the Cascades golf course in Soma Bay, a Championship18 hole course a 20 minute drive away.

Go to: www.somabay.com

Get a massage

Go to the Spa & Thalasso Centre also in Soma Bay – perfect for those aching windsurf shoulders.

Go to: www.somabay.com

Safaga is well established as a place to go for consistent thermal winds and conditions to suit all levels. The original Red Sea gem!

Report by Boardseeker with help from Wolfgang Svoboda, Center Manager of Club Mistral Safaga.

There are many charter & schedule flights to Sharm el Sheikh. From there the transfer is about one hour by transfer bus which can also transport your kit if required.

The centre has since 2007 been taken over and completely updated by Oceansource.net who can be contacted direct on  1243 374615  for all-inclusive ground packages. Flight-only prices vary between £250 – £500 and can be booked direct with the following airlines:

Easyjet - www.easyjet.com
First Choice – www.firstchoice.co.uk
Thomson – www.thomsonfly.com
Thomas Cook – www.thomascook.com
Air France – www.airfrance.com
Alitalia – www.alitalia.com
British Airways – www.ba.com

The wind is thermal and the peak windy times are between May and November, but the wind stats show that this is a good all-year-round venue.

The wind is cross-off where you launch from the windsurf centre. It increases during late morning, with early afternoon being the strongest and then it decreases a force or two by mid/late afternoon.

There is not much tide and the launch is from a sandy beach. With the wind being cross-off the water is very flat inside the bay. If you want more bump & jump then you can sail out to the swell outside the bay. However, please note that the wind can be slightly different strength outside the bay, sometimes stronger, sometimes a little less, but generally a lot more stable. It will take you a couple of upwind runs to get back to the centre from the bump & jump area.

The Wave Beach

You can get a taxi (ie. a pick up truck) which will drive you 1-2km up the road to the wave beach. Again it is a sandy launch with the waves cross-on, starboard tack rather like the south coast of the UK (think West Wittering). The waves build with the wind, so later in the day they can be better although its worth noting the wind is usually at its best between 10am-3pm, so you don’t want to wait too late! You can either sail back to the centre or get the taxi back. Be sure to get the correct route out if you’re sailing back as there is a reef following the shoreline on the way back to the centre, easy when you know where it is but for first timers always get local advice before you go.

There are two windsurf centres (one British, one Russian) and one kitesurfing school attached to the Russian centre. The British centre has RRD boards, covering a range of Wave, freestyle wave, freestyle and freeride boards The sails are Severne, Ezzy and Tushingham, with sizes from 3.5- 8m, all rigged on skinny’s or 75% carbon SDM’s. There is rescue cover and a look out at all times. Instruction is from Centre Managers Phil, Danielle and the other European staff. You can also go on a clinic in El Tur, with many of the pro coaches choosing it as a location to run their courses.

Taking your own kit

The centre is well stocked so there really isn’t any need to bring your own gear. However, should you feel the need to do so, then we would recommend boards between 85-110 ltr and sail sizes between 4.0-6.0m.

This is at the Moses Bay Hotel. The windsurf centre is located within the grounds.

The hotel is basic but all 56 rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, showers and fridges, for those cold beers!!

A new hotel is set to open shortly at the wave beach which is expected to be of a higher standard and consist of 24 detached suites (photo left of work in progress). This hotel sits right on the wave beach and will suit more advanced windsurfers and kitesurfers.

We were on half board; breakfasts consist of authentic Egyptian and Continental, evening meals are a buffet with selection of various Egyptian & European dishes.

Lunch can be ordered from the beach bar at the windsurf centre for around £4. There are no other restaurants in the area. other than in town

Make your own! However, if there are any Polish staying in the hotel you are assured of a party! If you do want some organised night life, head to Sharm el Sheikh, an hour away.

Alternatively, El Tur town centre offers a true Egyptian experience untouched my tourism where you can eat delicious fresh seafood, kebabs, falafils all rinsed down with a local cup of tea and a shisha without ever feeling intimidated or short-changed.

The centre has some SUPs for rent and there is good snorkeling available on the surprisingly impressive local reefs (no wind days only).

Activities further afield include sunrise at Mount Sinai, a Bedouin dinner in the desert, an evening or diving in Sharm el Sheikh or a visit to Egypt’s stunning National Park, Ras Mohammed.

All can be arranged through the Moses Bay Hotel.

A laid-back, bohemian windsurfing experience for those wanting to get away from mass tourism. Most of the windsurfers stay inside the harbour and close to the centre so it is rarely crowded. The wave beach is a great place to practice your onshore wave riding and jumps with very little tide and rip to worry about so staying upwind was not a problem.

This is fantastic venue offering so many various water states, with the conditions being on offer most of the year.