Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea)
- Freeride, Freestyle
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Swell
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Ashrafi Islands is a remote, boat-access-only kitesurfing destination in the northern Red Sea, known for crystal-clear turquoise water and a generally flat riding environment around reef-protected lagoons. The beach/launch area is reported as small, and water conditions are described as flat (with chop also mentioned in some sources). Water quality is consistently described as crystal clear. Wind is typically northerly (including N, NNE, NE, NW, and NNW) and is strongest during the warm season. Spot-level reporting highlights a May to September best window, with thermal/sea-breeze influence adding several knots on top of the wind gradient and a relatively steady gust pattern. Reported typical wind ranges are in the high teens up to the mid-20s knots, and wind reliability is described as high during summer months. Safety is a primary consideration: hazards reported for this spot include reefs, corals, and additional shallow-water dangers such as sea urchins and stonefish. Kiters are advised to keep careful distance and avoid contact with coral (marine protected area), and booties are strongly recommended if you will be walking in shallow areas. Offshore wind characteristics increase the importance of planning your session and staying within reach of your support boat. Logistically, stays and riding are centered on safari operations rather than local facilities on land. Medical facilities are on the mainland, and access by boat can take hours, so you should treat onboard safety resources as essential. Overall, it’s a classic kite-safari style venue where calm, flat lagoon sections combine with strong warm-season wind for freestyle and freeride progression.
- Crystal-clear turquoise lagoons
- Flat water suitable for freestyle/progression
- Reliable warm-season northerly wind with thermal/sea-breeze reinforcement
- Reef-and-lagoon terrain makes marine awareness essential
- Crystal-clear, flat lagoon water with small beach/launch footprint.
- Strong and often reliable summer wind with northerly components.
- A well-established kite-safari style destination with onboard support.
- Boat-only access; no on-island infrastructure.
- Marine hazards in shallow areas (sharp coral, sea urchins, stonefish).
- Remote environment with limited rescue beyond the safari vessels.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 18–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Sea-breeze/thermal influence reported May–September, with northerly directions dominating.
- Reliability
- 80% kiteable days May–Oct (spot-level reporting)
- Gust Factor
- Steady
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–17 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Swell
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Chop mentioned in addition to generally flat lagoon conditions.
- Launch
- Small — Small boat-launch / safari-boat launch with shallow/reef-associated zones.
Through the year
Usually quiet/limited to the number of safari boats anchored in the area.
Extremely arid; occasional sandstorms can occur in late winter and spring (Khamsin).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flat water conditions in crystal-clear lagoons behind/around the reefs; suited to progression and freestyle/freeride riding. Wind is typically provided by northerly airflow with thermal/sea-breeze influence in the warm season.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–17 m²
Reported excellent flat-water conditions, but logistics are described as boat-only access.
Deep-water access adjacent to flat-water lagoons is reported, making it suitable for wingfoiling.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m in lagoon channels; deep water outside.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea) in the full forecast view.
Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–19 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- NNW329°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2419 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–1.0 m3s period
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–19 kts, peaking around 19 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.1–1.0 m with a period of about 3s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Reefs
- Corals
- Sharp coral reefs
- Sea urchins
- Stonefish
- Offshore wind
- Remote location
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated land-based rescue; safety is provided by support/zodiac from safari boats.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are on the mainland (El Gouna or Hurghada). Access is by boat only and can take several hours.
Rules of the spot
Respect the marine protected area; do not touch or walk on the coral. Keep within visual range of your safari boat (where applicable).
- Boat access only.
- No permanent structures.
- No rescue services except from private safari boats.
- Be careful of reefs and corals.
- Wear booties to protect against sharp coral and sea urchins.
- Bring/plan for multiple kite sizes because wind can vary.
- If launching from a safari boat, confirm onboard safety equipment (e.g., a functional rescue zodiac).
- The best lagoons are reported to be on the leeward side of the northern island spits.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- El Gouna
- Nearest Town
- Hurghada
- Access
- Take a boat from El Gouna. Several kite centers offer this tour.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- Arabic (Egyptian)
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Accommodation is restricted to liveaboard vessels; no hotels/structures on the islands.
- Food & Drink
- Provided by safari boat operators.
- Equipment Rental:
- Some safari boats provide rental gear if pre-arranged in El Gouna.
- Gear Storage
- On-board gear storage on the safari vessel.
- Gear Repair
- Basic field repairs are usually possible on safari boats; major repairs require a return to the mainland.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A remote archipelago experience centered on marine life and reef lagoons, with wildlife encounters and water-based activities as major attractions during safari trips.
World-class diving on nearby reefs and shipwrecks in the Strait of Gubal (region-wide).
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea)?
The best overall months at Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea) are May, June, July, August, September.
Which wind directions work at Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea)?
Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea) works with N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, NW, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea): Kitesurfing: 7–17 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 18–25 kts.
What skill level is Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea) suitable for?
Ashrafi Islands (Red Sea) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.