Tavila (Tawila Island)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Tavila (Tawila Island) is a remote, boat-access-only lagoon destination in the Red Sea known for very flat water and clear visibility. Riders typically find shallow sandy lagoons with deeper water further out, allowing a progression path from easy, sheltered shallows to deeper riding lines. Wind conditions are dominated by prevailing North-Northwest trade winds, with strong daytime thermal reinforcement from the desert mainland. The wind is reported as steady and most reliable during the warm-season months (April through October), with a daytime peak window roughly between 10:00 and 16:00 (strongest around early afternoon). Providers also note a Venturi-style effect where conditions on the island are often a few knots stronger than on the mainland. The spot is presented as beginner-friendly for flat-water riding and freeride progression, with additional suitability for wingfoiling at the outer edges where depth supports foiling. Kitesurfing is described as the headline activity due to the combination of stable wind and exceptionally flat turquoise lagoons; windsurfing is also described as a good option for freeride and slalom-oriented riding on the flatter, shallower sections. Safety guidance emphasizes the offshore wind direction and the presence of coral/reef edges and sea urchins outside the main sandy areas. Because access and rescue are handled via boat-based operators, riding is generally expected to be coordinated with a safari or day-trip service and to ensure appropriate rescue equipment (such as a zodiac) is available at all times. Nearby major medical care is reported in El Gouna (and Hurghada), and general emergency services are noted via the reported emergency number.
- Very flat lagoon conditions for freestyle, progression, and freeride
- Reliable daytime wind strengthened by thermal effects
- Crystal-clear, high-visibility lagoon water
- Remote island setting with luxury resort and safari-based access
- Extremely flat, glassy lagoon riding for progression and freeride.
- Strong trade winds with reliable daytime thermal strengthening.
- Crystal-clear, high-visibility lagoon water.
- Access is boat-only and is remote.
- Offshore wind risk and coral/urchin hazards in shallow areas.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N, NW, NNW
- Offshore directions
- N, NW, NNW
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Prevailing North-Northwest trade winds with daytime thermal strengthening from the desert mainland.
- Reliability
- Very high during summer months; less consistent but still frequent in winter.
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Steady wind reported; gustiness described as minimal.
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Sand — Sand in lagoon areas.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Flat — No surf described; wave conditions are reported as flat/no wave.
- Launch
- Big — Spacious sandy banks and lagoons; launch availability depends on boat anchorage position.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Conflicting launch difficulty reported: some sources describe easy launch areas, while other data lists launch difficulty as difficult; overall launch depends on boat anchorage position.
Through the year
Highest during peak holiday weeks (European spring/autumn).
Extremely dry year-round; rare rain may occur between December and February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
World-class flat-water destination with incredibly flat lagoons in the lee of the island, suited to freestyle progression and freeride.
- Kite Sizes
- 9–12 m²
Freeride and beginner-focused slalom/butter-flat conditions with easy jibing in shallow areas.
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–7.5 m²
Outer edges of the lagoons offer suitable depth for wingfoiling with steady winds and no swell; described as foil-friendly.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- 1.5m in the riding zones outside immediate shallows
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Tavila (Tawila Island) in the full forecast view.
Tavila (Tawila Island) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 4–18 ktsGusts 25 kts
- Direction
- NNW331°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2418 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.1–0.9 m3s period
- Temperature
- 23–27 °C
Over the next 7 days, Tavila (Tawila Island) is forecast for daytime winds of 4–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is NNW. Waves run 0.1–0.9 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
- offshore wind
- coral reefs
- remote location
- sea urchins
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguards reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability described as limited and coordinated via boat/safari operators.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical care reported in El Gouna (nearest hospitals and decompression chambers also noted in El Gouna and Hurghada). General emergency number reported as 123; rescue is coordinated via boat-based services visiting the area.
Rules of the spot
Access is described as boat-only; riders must typically be accompanied by a boat and safety cover is usually provided by the safari/day-trip operator.
- Access by boat only
- Typically requires accompaniment by boat/safety cover from the operator
- Wear booties to protect against occasional coral and sea urchins in shallow areas.
- Ensure your boat operator has a rescue zodiac available at all times due to the offshore wind direction.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Hurghada
- Nearest Town
- El Gouna
- Nearest Airport
- Hurghada International Airport (HRG)
- Parking
- Parking is available at the marinas in El Gouna (Abu Tig Marina or New Marina) where boats depart.
- Public Transport
- No direct public transport; access is exclusively via private boat, kite safari vessel, or resort shuttle from El Gouna or Hurghada.
- Access
- Tavila Island is located approximately 20-25 kilometers offshore and is only accessible by boat. Most visitors arrive via organized day trips or multi-day kite safaris departing from El Gouna.
- Cost Level
- Luxury
- Local Language
- Arabic, English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Luxury accommodation on Tawila Island exists; many sport-focused visitors stay in El Gouna or on liveaboard kite safari boats.
- Food & Drink
- Meals and drinks are typically provided by the boat operator; the island resort offers high-end dining options.
- Equipment Rental:
- Not available on the island beach itself; equipment must be brought from El Gouna or provided by the safari boat (group context also notes resort/safari-related rental availability).
- Gear Storage
- Typically handled on board the transport or safari vessel; group context also notes storage facilities for resort guests and organized day trips.
- Gear Repair
- None on-site; nearest repair shops are in El Gouna (conflicting with group-level note that basic repair is available at the resort).
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The area is primarily visited for premium remote watersports and clear lagoon snorkeling/diving, often as day access from El Gouna/Hurghada or via multi-day kite safari itineraries.
Coral reefs, mangroves, rock formations, and rare birds.
Nearby luxury resort town with upscale dining, shopping, and nightlife.
Includes Hurghada International Airport, Abu Tig Marina, Hard Rock Cafe, and Ras Mohamed National Park.
A nearby reef area known for frequent wild dolphin encounters and snorkeling.
Kitesurfing, snorkeling, and diving in coral-rich Red Sea waters.
Luxury beach-side dining and drinks overlooking the lagoon.
Gourmet dining at the resort and diverse dining options in El Gouna/Hurghada.
Guided snorkeling in the shallow, protected reefs surrounding the island.
Kids club, pools, and calm beach areas at the resort.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Tavila (Tawila Island)?
The best overall months at Tavila (Tawila Island) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Tavila (Tawila Island)?
Tavila (Tawila Island) works with N, NW, NNW winds. Offshore directions are N, NW, NNW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Tavila (Tawila Island)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Tavila (Tawila Island): 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 Tavila (Tawila Island) suitable for?
Tavila (Tawila Island) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner.