Al Montaza Bay / South Sinai / Egypt

This beach located just north east of the airport at Sharm el Sheikh is perfect for those surfers who literally can't wait to get on the beach. Egypt's year round dry and temperate climate, coupled wih lots of natural sandy beaches and calm warm waters, make this spot very popular with kitesurfers.The season is from October to May although off season is possible.

The beach is located on the edge of a deep lagoon and is really wide, consisting mainly of sand and broken coral. It is totally free of obstastacles and hazards and there are very few people around at any one time.

The wind blows predominantly from the North, North East or North Northeast and starts around 7am in the morning, dying down by the early afternoon. The wind is sideshore at this spot but also a bit gusty because it is coming over land. From April to November the wind averages over 12 knots for about 50% of the time and during June-September this rises to about 80%. The winds are a bit gusty, but manageable. You can kite with every tide here since it is a deep lagoon. The water is great, with the most incredible colors and stays flat even in strong wind. The entrance in the water is simple, a 100 meters of sand that is covered with about 40 cm of water at high tide and that dries out at low tide so that you can walk as far as the lagoon. The best water conditions are at low tide. There are some coral heads downwind in the middle of the bay, which stick out at a really low tide, making it easy to see them and steer clear. It's good fun to slalom between these corals because the water keeps changing color.

There is parking here and shower and toilet facilities on the beach. There are also places where you can buy some food and drink. Sharm El Sheik has a wide choice of modern supermarkets, bars, restaurants and accommodation. The night life is pretty impressive too.

It is a pretty safe spot but be mindful of the gusty wind and watch out for the coral in the water.