Nabq Bay

The wind at Nabq Bay blows predominantly from the north or northeast. It hits the beach side-shore or side-onshore, depending on exactly where you launch along the bay. The wind here is driven by a combination of large-scale synoptic systems and local thermal effects caused by the temperature difference between the Sinai desert and the Red Sea.

Because of this thermal influence, the wind follows a distinct daily pattern. It usually kicks in early, peaking between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM. By midday, as the desert heats up and disrupts the temperature gradient, the wind often drops off. On good days, especially in the peak season, it can hold through the afternoon, but you should plan your sessions for the morning. You can expect a typical range of 15 to 25 knots, with occasional days pushing 30 knots.

The main riding area is a massive flat water lagoon. It stays waist-deep for about 1500 meters out, making it an easy place to learn or practice freestyle. The water state inside the lagoon is flat to mild chop. The outer reef blocks the ocean swell, so the lagoon is largely unaffected by tides, though it can get very shallow at dead low tide. If you want waves, you have to ride out past the reef. It takes about a 20-minute upwind tack to reach the open ocean, where you will find moderate rolling swell and some kickers, but no real breaking wave riding.

The most reliable wind hits between April and September. February, March, October, and November still deliver rideable days, but the consistency drops. January and December are a gamble and generally not worth booking a dedicated kite trip for.

Nabq Bay itself is a modern resort strip. The immediate area is dominated by large all-inclusive hotels, a 4 km paved promenade, and commercial centers like La Strada and Al Khan. It lacks the gritty, authentic feel of older Egyptian towns.

If you want local culture or cheap street food, you have to leave Nabq. The Old Market is a 30-minute drive away and is the place to go for traditional Egyptian food, spices, and a more chaotic atmosphere. Naama Bay, the main nightlife and clubbing hub of Sharm El Sheikh, is a 20-minute drive.

On no-wind days, the area revolves around diving. Ras Mohammed National Park is about an hour away and has some of the best coral reefs in the Red Sea. You can also book guided desert safaris with local Bedouin tribes or rent electric bikes to ride up and down the Nabq promenade.

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is only 8 to 10 km from Nabq Bay. A private taxi transfer from the airport takes about 15 minutes and costs around $20 to $25 USD.

You do not need a rental car if you are staying in one of the resorts along the bay. To get out of Nabq, you can flag down the blue microbuses that run up and down the main road. They operate on set routes rather than numbers. A ride from Nabq to Naama Bay or the Old Market costs between 8 and 10 LE. You just tell the driver where you are going and pass the money forward.