General Info:
The location and the Village

Port Safaga, also known as Bur Safaga and Safaga, is a town in Egypt, on the coast of the Red Sea, located 53 km (33 miles) south of Hurghada. This small port is also a tourist area that consists of several bungalows and rest houses. Having numerous phosphate mines, it is regarded as the phosphates export center. A paved road of 164 km (101 miles) connects Safaga to Qena of Upper Egypt.

Safaga was a merchant port for many years; now the town, with its wide azure bay, long sandy beaches and pretty islands, is a favourite sports destination in the Red Sea Riviera. Safaga is especially popular among kitesurfers and windsurfers, and was the host of the 1993 Red Sea World Windsurfing Championships. At 53 km (33 miles) south of Hurghada, Safaga acquires its unique character from both its port and the small surrounding village. A holiday in Safaga is mainly about watersports and sightseeing, with little nightlife around, except for some nice beach parties organised by the local divers and surfers.

The seasons and Hotel info

The best and windiest months in Safaga are from may to October. An avarage hotel in the bay will cost you 50 euro, in town it its much cheaper (10 euro).



Possibilities besides kiting

Besides kitesurfing you can:
-Scuba diving and diving
-Visit the surrounding villages
-Visit Luxor
-Check out the granite quarries of Mons Claudianus

Climate

The climate of the Red Sea is the result of two distinct monsoon seasons; a northeasterly monsoon and a southwesterly monsoon. Monsoon winds occur because of the differential heating between the land surface and sea. Very high surface temperatures coupled with high salinities makes this one of the hottest and saltiest bodies of seawater in the world. The average surface water temperature of the Red Sea during the summer is about 26°C (79°F) in the north and 30°C (86°F) in the south, with only about 2°C (3.6°F) variation during the winter months. The overall average water temperature is 22°C (72°F).

Spot conditions:
The beach

The beach in safaga is a sandy beach without big obstacles. It is 300 by 30 metres big. The beach is not super crowded.

The water conditions

In Safaga you can choose between two bays. The first kite bay is 350x150 metres waist-deep area ideal for beginners. The second one is ideal for more advanced riders. There are no waves. There can be some rocks in the water, shoes are a good idea. The water temperature can be 20-28°C.

The wind conditions

Safaga offers you the whole year wind, but the best months for wind are from May to October. The wind in Safaga is thermal and blows from the left. In the morning the wind is a bit offshore but that will change to side onshore in the afternoon. Not only the direction will change, the wind will also gain more force, up to 1 or 2 forces. In summer the high mountains in Safaga give these NE winds in summertime more force. In winter the wind is more East.

Facilities

You will find some kiteschools in Safaga, including some facilities like gear rental.

Downwinder and trip possibilites

Downwinders and boat trips are possible, talk about it with local schools. You can do a boat excursion to Kiriazi Bay (Soma Bay). From there you can do a 5km downwinder back to the beach strip.

Links

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safaga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sea#Climate


Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF2xvNcRHEc


Schools:
www.fun-kite.com
www.skyriders.com


Info:
http://www.fun-kite.com/Historique.htm
http://www.cdws.travel/kitesurfing/destinations/safaga.aspx
http://www.tours.smartextreme.com/egypt/safaga/