What's on in El Gouna, Egypt through the year

Busy — Mid-year holiday in Egypt, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Ramadan

  19 Feb – 19 MarClosures

  The resort side carries on much as usual, but the town and the workers' quarters keep the fast, kitchens run to different hours and the marina bars go quiet until sunset. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Mid-year holiday in Egypt

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Ramadan (19 Feb – 19 Mar)

Peak crowds — Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr

• Holiday

  Eid al-Fitr

  20–23 MarRamadan & EidCrowdedBook early

  Cairo drives down for the holiday and the lagoons, the marina and every rental are taken. It is the loudest week of the spring and the one to book months ahead. Source ↗

• Season

  Kite season on the lagoon

  15 Mar – 15 Oct · usuallyWind season

  The northerly gets up most afternoons through the warm half of the year, which is the whole reason the kite schools are here. Mornings stay glassy for anyone who wanted a flat sea.

Still on: Ramadan (19 Feb – 19 Mar)

Busy — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Eid al-Fitr (20–23 Mar), Kite season on the lagoon (15 Mar – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Season

  Sea warm enough to swim

  1 May – 30 Nov · usually

  The Red Sea holds its heat into November and the reef trips run without a wetsuit. From January to March the water is swimmable but not comfortable for long.

Still on: Kite season on the lagoon (15 Mar – 15 Oct (usually))

Peak crowds — The Cairo summer, Summer holidays in Egypt

• Season

  The Cairo summer

  15 Jun – 10 Sep · usuallyExtreme heatCrowded

  Egyptians come anyway and the town runs on late nights and shaded lagoons, but anything inland, Luxor day trips included, is best left for another season.

Still on: Kite season on the lagoon (15 Mar – 15 Oct (usually)), Sea warm enough to swim (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Peak crowds — The Cairo summer, Summer holidays in Egypt

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Kite season on the lagoon (15 Mar – 15 Oct (usually)), Sea warm enough to swim (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), The Cairo summer (15 Jun – 10 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — The Cairo summer, Summer holidays in Egypt

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Kite season on the lagoon (15 Mar – 15 Oct (usually)), Sea warm enough to swim (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), The Cairo summer (15 Jun – 10 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — The Cairo summer, Summer holidays in Egypt

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Kite season on the lagoon (15 Mar – 15 Oct (usually)), Sea warm enough to swim (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), The Cairo summer (15 Jun – 10 Sep (usually))

Busy — El Gouna Film Festival, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  El Gouna Film Festival

  15–23 OctCrowdedBook early

  A week of screenings and industry parties in the middle of October, when the sea is still warm and the town fills with Cairo's film crowd. Rooms and flights price accordingly. Source ↗

Still on: Kite season on the lagoon (15 Mar – 15 Oct (usually)), Sea warm enough to swim (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Sea warm enough to swim (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in December.