Magawish (Hurghada Bay)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner to Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Swell
- Spot Type
- Busy
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Magawish (Hurghada Bay) is a sand-based, crystal-clear launch area known for wind sports—especially kitesurfing—thanks to a dependable Northern to Northeast thermal sea breeze. In the best months (typically April through October), riders can expect strong, diurnal wind with the thermal starting in the morning and peaking in the afternoon. Summer performance is described as particularly consistent, with most days seeing workable conditions. The spot setup is commonly described as having two practical areas: a shallow, flat beginner bay (reachable by boat) and a deeper freeride zone that requires discipline because of a downwind reef. Water is generally flat-to-choppy: sandbanks and offshore effects can smooth water in the lee for freeride and freestyle practice, while the open water between the beach and sandbank can be moderately choppy. Safety considerations are central to using the spot correctly. The downwind reef means riders must stay upwind when operating in the deep zone. Hazards also include ships/boat traffic, pointy sun-umbrellas that can damage kites, and rocks/shells in upper-lagoon sand. At low tide, shallow sandbank sections can become very shallow, so tide checks are important. Off the water, access and amenities are straightforward because the launch is integrated into large resort beachfront infrastructure. Food and drinks are available directly at/near the launch, and multiple sports centers offer rentals and lesson-based support. Rescue services are described as available via the on-site centers, with lifeguards reported as seasonal.
- Thermal Northern/Northeast wind with strong midday-to-afternoon performance
- Shallow beginner bay plus deeper freeride area (reef hazard in the deep zone)
- Sandbanks can create very smooth water behind them for speedruns/freestyle practice
- Reliable Northern/Northeast thermal winds from April–October, with strong summer performance
- Shallow, flat-to-choppy water for freestyle/freeride and progression (including a dedicated beginner bay)
- Crystal-clear water and sand-based launches with straightforward access from the resort beachfront
- Downwind reef hazard requires staying upwind in the deeper zone
- Ships/boat traffic in the bay
- Pointy sun-umbrellas can shred kites
- Some shallow sandbank areas can become very shallow at low tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NE
- Offshore directions
- N, NE
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Northern/Northeast thermal sea breeze (diurnal), strongest midday to afternoon.
- Reliability
- High in summer; ~7 days/week May–September and ~4–5 days/week in October–April.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Small shadow near hotel buildings during extreme North-West directions (reported).
- Thermal Window
- Sea breeze · Afternoon · Months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep · Dir: N, NE · ≤40% cloud · Daily thermal wind May–September with a morning start and afternoon peak; typical workable window around mid-day to late afternoon. Commonly clear skies; about ~40% max cloud cover tolerated for thermal to work.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Swell
- Beach
- Sand — Sand launch and lagoon areas; reef downwind in the deep zone.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Flat — Reported as flat water; some chop between beach and offshore sandbank (moderate choppy wave noted).
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Shallow lagoon and sandbank areas described as flat-to-choppy; moderate choppy wave between beach and sandbank reported.
- Launch
- Medium — Large sandy beach directly in front of the resort center; walk a few steps into water to launch; a larger upper-lagoon beach exists with some rocks/shells.
Through the year
Peak crowds reported during summer (notably July and August / European holidays), with fewer windy-day crowds Oct–Apr.
Rain is extremely rare; occasional sandstorms can occur in spring.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Two main riding areas are described: a deep water zone with downwind reef where experienced riders should stay upwind, and a shallow flat beginner bay reachable by boat in ~10 minutes. Water is flat-to-choppy with chop/sandbank shaping; no tide dependence for the kitesurf zones is commonly mentioned. Sun-umbrellas and occasional boat traffic can be hazards.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Space for freeride/slalom and sandbank-sheltered water behind the sandbank; cross-shore/cross-offshore changes are reported (morning to later). A boat shuttle may be used to access sandbanks for beginner training; rescue boat and walkie-talkies are described for beginners.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Reported as highly suitable due to deep water access immediately outside the shallow reef/sandbank zones.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly (reported).
- Min Depth
- 1.5m in the main riding area
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Magawish (Hurghada Bay) in the full forecast view.
Magawish (Hurghada Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–14 ktsGusts 23 kts
- Direction
- NNW348°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2414 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.7 m3s period
- Temperature
- 22–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Magawish (Hurghada Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 23 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.1–0.7 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
- Downwind reef (stay upwind; particularly in deep zone)
- Ships/boat traffic
- Pointy sun-umbrellas that can shred kites
- Rocks and shells in the upper lagoon sand
- Shallow sandbanks at low tide
- Moderate shore break (reported)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal — Seasonal lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Yes — Rescue boats operated by the on-site sports centers.
- Emergency Info
- Rescue boats are operated by on-site sports centers; coastguard and local beach rescue teams are active, but no permanent offshore rescue base is reported for the wider bay.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No notable localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Kitesurfing areas are marked; stay upwind of the downwind reef in the front-of-center deep zone. Use the designated sport zone and avoid swimming/boat channels. Registration with the local sports center is usually required.
- Kiting restricted to designated sport zones
- Designated swimming areas are off-limits
- May need special permit or local kite-organization membership (verify on arrival)
- Check whether kitesurfing is allowed at the spot
- Stay upwind of the downwind reef in the front-of-center deep zone.
- Wear shoes in the beginner area due to shells/rocks.
- Watch for pointy sun-umbrella ends that can shred kites.
- Check tide carefully: parts of the sandbank can become very shallow.
- Use the shallow beginner bay (boat-shuttled) for progression when conditions are bumpy in open areas.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hurghada
- Nearest Town
- Hurghada
- Nearest Airport
- Hurghada International Airport (HRG)
- Parking
- Parking available at the Mercure Hurghada Hotel / Harry Nass center (also reported within the resort complex)
- Public Transport
- Limited public bus; taxis/ride-hailing and local microbuses are available
- Access
- About 20 minutes south of central Hurghada; parking available at the resort complex. Day passes may be available for non-guests (reported).
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Arabic
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Several resorts along the coast; nearby accommodation includes large hotels within/near the Magawish beachfront area (reported).
- Food & Drink
- Food available on the spot; beach bars and resort restaurants are located directly at the launch site; nightlife close to the Magawish Hotel (reported).
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental available at the beach centers via the sports centers.
- Gear Storage
- Secure lockers and storage boxes available on a daily or weekly basis (reported).
- Gear Repair
- Minor repairs for kites and bladders usually available on-site (reported).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Magawish (Hurghada Bay)?
The best overall months at Magawish (Hurghada Bay) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Magawish (Hurghada Bay)?
Magawish (Hurghada Bay) works with N, NE winds. Offshore directions are N, NE.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Magawish (Hurghada Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Magawish (Hurghada Bay): Kitesurfing: 9–12 m² · Windsurfing: 5.5–7.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Magawish (Hurghada Bay) suitable for?
Magawish (Hurghada Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner to Intermediate · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner.