In respect of windsurfing holidays, El Tur is one of the best spots in Egypt and its isolation is its charm. Only 50 minutes from Sharm Airport, it has long been known as a very windy spot but only recently has a centre and hotel been established. El Tur is in fact the capital of the Sinai, and has barely been touched by tourism.
There is a moderate climate all year round and as well as having excellent conditions there are unlikely to be more than 20 windsurfers on the water. Catch it before the crowds come. You may well have a small audience as you gybe close to the mosque, as windsurfers are very much a novelty.
There are three very distinct areas to windsurf due to the nature of the bay:
Centre Spot: In front of the centre, you launch from the sandy beach in very flat water with no shorebreak. You can sail inside the bay, gybing in front of the mosque on the other side. This is the favourite blasting area.
The Swell Take a couple of gybes downwind and out past the point and you are into the swell that rolls down the Gulf of Suez. Normally this is around 1-2 metres high, getting bigger when the wind has been blowing for several days. The swell wraps round the point at the entrance to the bay giving some excellent jumping.
The Wave Spot A 10 minute drive up wind will take you to a small spit of sand with 2-4 meter waves; this spot is really amazing. At the tip of the sand split the waves are at their biggest but with a reef break; a little further around there waves are little smaller (2-3 m) and break nicely onto the sandy beach.
As with the rest of Egypt, although it is a year around destination the best wind is in the summer when it is regularly bft 5 and above. The wind in El Tur is also super clean giving you the extra confidence to really push it…
The impressive new Ocean Source Windsurf Centre has taken over from El Tur Windsurfing and has one of the most enviable spots in the Red Sea.
Although El Tur is a relatively new location, it has a growing reputation with other Egyptian windsurfing spots as one of the best locations in Egypt particularly as it boasts the only wave spot in this region.
The large beach has a volley ball court and football pitch. The nearby oasis at the base of the mountains has Moses Bath, a thermal spring. This is an ideal place to watch the sun setting over the mountains on Egyptian mainland.
St Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai are also within easy distance and the drive through the mountains to them is spectacular. Ras Mohammed is also nearby. Divers may wish to take a day off the water and explore some of the reefs or the wreck of the Thistlegorm on a trip from Sharm.
There is no kite centre at El Tur but if you have your own kit then Intermediate/Advanced kiters are welcome.
El Tur is very quiet and you shouldn't come here for the nightlife! Evening entertainment is organised by the windsurf centre and includes barbecues, surf video evenings and occasional trips into the metropolis of Sharm.
UK / EU passport holders should have a full 10 year passport valid until at least 6 months after date of return. Other passport holders please check with Egyptian Embassy (020 7235 9777).
You will require a full Egypt visa for entry into El Tur. The easiest way to get it is on arrival at Sharm el Sheikh Airport where it will cost £12. It can also be obtained in advance from the Egyptian Embassy at a cost of £15 - £20.
There are no compulsory inoculations if travelling from the UK but we recommend to check with your GP for the latest advice.
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