Discover El Gouna Beach: Egypt’s Hidden Seaside Paradise

El Gouna is a simply fabulous place located at the beautiful red sea coast of Egypt with a perfect blend of rest and curiosity. It is a beach destination that is well known to have crystal clear waters, golden sands and vibrancy in its marine life that suits sun-seekers, people who love water sports and also the luxury travellers. Visiting coral reefs, taking a boat ride or relaxing in beach resorts, El Gouna Beach provides memorable moments. Find out why the El Gouna Beach is soon emerging as one of the best sea vacation destinations in Egypt.

Explore the beauty of El Gouna Beach

Overview of El Gouna beach

El Gouna is not just a seasonal resort; this is a real living town with schools, a hospital, and a University. While it doesn’t have a commercial airport of its own, it is conveniently served by nearby Hurghada International Airport, only about 30–40 minutes away.

Location

El Gouna is a resort town located about 25 kilometers north of Hurghada, on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. It features multiple beaches and lagoons rather than a single beach. It is located in a resort town of El Gouna which was strategically designed to provide a contemporary and luxurious beachside lifestyle.

El Gouna Beach is readily reachable by car or shuttle service along with the Hurghada International Airport among local and foreign tourists. The location is best suited along the coast with many water activities and scenic views.

Quick facts about El Gouna

It pays off to have a brief look at the main reasons why El Gouna should be at the center of your travel plans. Its ecological appearance, high-quality supply and out-of-this-world luxury lifestyle, to its natural beauty of the town and the local population, here are some of the main facts when it comes to the fact that Santa Marina is one of the beach clubs or resorts in El Gouna, but not a main beach or area.

• A luxurious resort city, El Gouna is located on the Red Sea coast of the Egyptian mainland, with more than 10 km of waterfront area and crystal clear lagoons all over the place.
• It is easily reachable via a 25–30 minute drive from Hurghada International Airport, located about 25 km north of the city.
• El Gouna is accessible from many European cities via direct flights to Hurghada, most taking 3–5 hours depending on origin.
• The town surprises with the unique architecture; it is built on the ideas of the traditional rural Egyptian and the traditional Egyptian home.
• The first Middle East and Africa destination to win sustainability by gaining the Global Green Award by the UN was El Gouna.
• It has two principal centers Downtown and Abu Tig Marina, and the newest New Marina.
• El Gouna is not just a seasonal resort; this is a real living town with schools, a hospital, a University and even an airport.
• It is rich, ritzy and has luxurious boats and ritzy villas.
• The town is ideal, especially to digital nomads, as WiFi and coworking facilities such as GSpace are reliable.
• Some accommodations in El Gouna are pet-friendly, though policies vary by hotel. Exotic pets may not be allowed.

What to know before visiting El Gouna

Top things to do in El Gouna

From relaxing beach days to exciting water sports and nightlife, El Gouna offers a wide range of unforgettable activities.

Water sports

El Gouna is one of the world destinations in water-sports activities because water sports can be enjoyed throughout the year due to these favorable conditions of wind, and protection of the reef headland. There is something of interest to everyone regardless of being a professional or a beginner.

The common water sporting activities:

• Kitesurfing & windsurfing: General places to engage in windsurfing and kiting are Makani Beach, Element Watersports, Osmosis Kiteboarding, Kite People, Kiteboarding Club, Kitepower, Kite Family and Red Sea Zone.
• Kayaking: It is provided by El Gouna Sailing Club and Osmosis Kiteboarding.
• Waterskiing & wakeboarding: Have it in Sliders Cable Park and Sharmania watersports.
• Diving & snorkeling: An investigation into marine life is with Orca Dive Club, Blue Brothers, Euro Divers, Dive Trek, Easy divers Academy, Colona Dive Centre, TGI Diving, The Dive Connection and Coraya Divers.

Besides water sports, there are three marinas and boat owners, volleyball on the beach, as well as any land-based sport. It is an ideal destination for people who seek adventure and casual adventurers.

A water sports haven, El Gouna delivers

Boat tours and journeys

El Gouna offers a wide variety of boat tours and sea adventures perfect for exploring the Red Sea’s natural beauty. Guests can enjoy:

• Island excursions to Giftun Islands (Mahmya, Orange Bay) or Tawila Island
• Catamaran cruises for a relaxing day at sea
• Glass-bottom boat rides for viewing marine life without getting wet
• Fishing trips for amateurs and enthusiasts
• Sailing and snorkeling/diving tours
• Daytime party boats, returning by sunset
• Private mini-yacht charters for weekends or custom durations

Scenic boat trips

Beaches

El Gouna boasts a wide range of beautiful beaches, each offering sunbeds, umbrellas, food and drink service, snorkel rentals, and kite stations. Thanks to its many lagoons, you're not limited to just your hotel beach—there are plenty of private beach clubs to explore.

Top beaches and pool clubs in El Gouna:

• Zeytouna Beach: Calm, shallow waters, perfect for families
• Mangroovy Beach: Best for kiteboarding and parasailing
• Moods Beach Club: Known for beach parties at the Marina
• Makani Beach Club, Club 88, The Clubhouse, Smokery Beach, Marina Beach, and DuPort Pool Club

El Gouna is home to stunning beaches

Relaxation retreats

A perfect place of relaxation and rejuvenation, El Gouna offers an ample amount of wellness centers and luxury spas. Relax in beach massages, custom spa services, and serene lagoon views.

The town also has a number of daily fitness classes in available gyms, some conveniently within the beachfront area and some are even available to those who want to exercise at any time of the day, 24-hours, that is. Are you in the mood to relax or prefer to have an active vacation? El Gouna wellness scene has it all to keep you well balanced and refreshed.

Local markets and boutiques

El Gouna is not likely to be the place where you can get the most exquisite shopping experience, but it can be the place where you can get the unique flavor of boutiques and concept stores. The most fashionable shopping district of the town is the Abu Tig Marina with its elite fashion stores, coffee bars and a weekly Friday festival by the sea, with music, food and family entertainment.

You can afford to miss Norshek and Things and Lilies, a small shop with curated clothes and accessories as well as home items from different world-known and local brands.

Activities in nightlife

El Gouna may not have traditional nightclubs, but its nightlife scene is lively and creative. From pop-up desert events to stylish bars, there’s something for every night owl.

Top nightlife spots in El Gouna:

• Aurora: The main club-style venue in town
• Pier 88: Upscale marina bar, lively after 10 PM
• Villa Coconut: Ambient dinner vibes, DJ starts around 10 PM
• The Tap South: Live music and DJs
• Barten and Bartender: Cocktail bars at Abu Tig Marina
• Rush Sports Bar: Lively, casual vibe
• The Smugglers Pub: Classic hangout
• Cooks Club: Party hotel with regular live events
• The Venue (in the desert): Occasional large-scale parties

El Gouna also offers late-night shisha cafes, Sea Cinema, and cultural shows at the El Gouna Conference Centre and TUB Campus.

Inland discoveries

Other than beaches, El Gouna is a fully built community with a great infrastructure and all the modern facilities. It includes 17 Hotels, hospital, nursing institute and two 18 Holes championship golf courses.

The town also has co-working areas, a landing strip, conference centers, beauty salons, facials and spas, post office, and even a weather station. In education and culture, El Gouna hosts a university, a number of schools and a library that forms part of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Best time to visit

El Gouna is a place to visit all year round, yet the weather just depends on which weather you like to go.

Pleasant temperatures with posh beach weather are regarded as the high season which happens during Spring (MarchMay) and Fall (OctoberNovember). These are the most popular months, but El Gouna does not feel crowded at all, with the exception of the time when there are major events such as Gouna Film Festival or Sandbox music festival.

Sun lovers receive the best during summer (June- August) when temperatures settle in the 39 (102) degree temperatures. But be ready to face severe sun and wind particularly during June, which is the windiest month.

There are few rains particularly during the months of January, February, and April.

Accommodation and dinning

El Gouna offers a wide range of accommodation and dining options, from luxury resorts to cozy cafes and beachfront restaurants.

Hotels

El Gouna offers a wide range of accommodation options, mainly centered around Abu Tig Marina and Downtown, where you’ll find restaurants, nightlife, and shops. Larger resorts are located along private beachfronts, while the rest of the town features residential neighborhoods by the lagoons.

Accommodation options in El Gouna:

• Big Resort hotels: Mövenpick, Sheraton, Steigenberger – ideal for families with pools, beachfronts, and dining on-site.
• Abu Tig Marina hotels: Captain’s Inn, Turtle’s Inn, Ali Pasha – walking distance to bars and restaurants; access to Moods and Marina Beach.
• Downtown hotels: Sultan Bey, Dawar El Omda – lagoon-front stays close to cafes and shops.
• Boutique hotels: Casa Cook, La Maison Bleue – stylish, exclusive, and adults-only.
• Budget-friendly: Cook’s Club (adults only), The Three Corners Ocean View (avoid Rihana Resort).
• Vacation rentals: GCribs, Scarab, or Airbnb – great for private stays, some with pools.

El Gouna leans upscale—hostels and budget hotels are limited.

Restaurants

El Gouna boasts a lively food scene with mainly locally owned restaurants that provide a very diverse selection of food, including everything Arabic, Italian to Asian and seafood. You will not see large chains (except Nathan) on the board and everything tastes more individual and home-made.

Most of the restaurants are in Downtown and Abu Tig Marina with the resorts having their own food options.

Best breakfast spots:

• Malu’s Deli
• Seventh Star
• The Bagel Tree

Top picks for lunch & dinner:

• Zia Amelia – Italian favorites in the Marina
• Saigon – Asian fusion in a cozy setting
• Pier 88 – Upscale dining right on the water

Restaurants with sea views:

• Smokery
• El Bahr
• Morgan’s Beach Bistro
• El Sayadin

Whether you're after fine dining or a casual meal by the lagoon, El Gouna has something to satisfy every craving.

The dining scene in El Gouna is full of flavor

Transportation in El Gouna

Getting around El Gouna is easy and convenient, thanks to its reliable internal transport options, including tuk-tuks, bikes, and boats.

Tuktuks

The most famous and practical means of transport in El Gouna is called tuk-tuk. These three-wheelers that are also colorful seat up to three people and follow fixed rates- EGP 20 to a maximum of 2 people and EGP 30 to a maximum of 3 people. The further sites such as Ancient Sands or Makani Beach might be more expensive.

Tuk-tuk is booked by calling the phone number 16550, asking the hotel reception, with the help of Uber or by hailing one in Downtown and Marina stands. Wait time is normally 10 minutes or less.

Bicycle/Scooter

Riding a bicycle or a scooter is a great environment friendly way of exploring El Gouna. They are available to be rented at the Bike Center (extension 34044).

To seek a more contemporary alternative, use the services of a sharing system of e-bikes, Baddel, which has 10 stations located in town. It is possible to unlock a bike with the Baddel mobile app (iOS and Android), ride, and use one of the stations.

The rental begins at 25EGP after 30 minutes and a lesser fee range for longer rides.

Car services

Budget is the official limousine service in El Gouna, and in case you need to travel with a group of over three or just feel like taking a car rather than a tuk-tuk, then you can trust Budget. One may book a car instantly or in the future.

To people who arrive in Cairo, it is also an option to come to El Gouna by driving (approximately, it will take about 5 hours) because it is a comfortable and cheap way. In town, once you are here, it is easy to drive around as El Gouna is small, traffic movement is minimal and fuel expenses are affordable, it is easy to move around by yourself.

Shuttle bus

There are five lines of shuttle buses in El Gouna which consist of 15 points linking the main resorts and districts such as West Golf with Downtown and other important places. It is a cheap and easy way of commuting within the country.

Shuttle tickets are available as well as route information which can be purchased at your hotel reception or at extension 32100. Frequent shuttle buses are recommended to anyone staying in bigger resorts or who wants to travel around El Gouna without any dramas.

How to get there

Getting to El Gouna is easy whether you're coming from abroad or within Egypt. Here are your main options:

• Arrive at the Hurghada International Airport: Only 30 to 40 minutes driving distance to El Gouna. Or you can take a taxi at the landing hall or make a transfer with this services Budget, ABC Taxi, or your hotel.
• By car via Cairo: Easy driving is possible over the new smooth ribbon of the Galala Road, - approximately 4 hours drive time from central Cairo. An excellent choice in the case you are keen to be flexible.
• By bus: There are also buses to El Gouna, which travel by courtesy of GoBus, more than 15 buses a day, such as the Elite Plus, which has good seats. The bus will leave you off right in Downtown El Gouna.
• By plane: Owing to daily flights of about 45 minutes, Cairo is the most convenient destination that offers a domestic flight to Hurghada. Make reservations in advance to get airport transfers or use a local company such as Sixt (Russian number: 19670).

How to get to El Gouna

Tips to travel El Gouna

To make the most of your trip to El Gouna, it’s helpful to know a few practical tips that will save you time, money, and effort while exploring this coastal gem.

• Book airport transfers in advance to avoid long waits at Hurghada Airport.
• Use tuk-tuks for quick, affordable transport within town (fixed rates apply).
• Download the Baddel app for easy access to e-bike rentals across El Gouna.
• Stay near Abu Tig Marina or Downtown for walkable access to restaurants, nightlife, and shops.
• Reserve popular restaurants early, especially during high season and weekends.
• Carry cash, as some smaller places may not accept cards.
• Avoid walking long distances mid-day—summer heat can be intense.
• Respect local customs, especially during Ramadan or public holidays.

FAQs about El Gouna

Planning a trip to El Gouna? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you prepare and make the most of it.

Can you swim in El Gouna, Egypt?

Yes, you can swim in El Gouna, Egypt. The town features clean, calm lagoons and Red Sea beaches with clear, swimmable waters. Many hotels and beach clubs also offer private swimming areas with safe, shallow entry points—ideal for all ages.

Is El Gouna better than Hurghada?

El Gouna is considered more upscale and quieter than Hurghada, offering a cleaner, well-planned environment with private beaches, luxury resorts, and modern amenities. However, Hurghada is larger, more budget-friendly, and better for nightlife and local markets. It depends on your preferences.

Is it safe to walk around El Gouna?

Yes, it is safe to walk around El Gouna. The town is a gated, private community with 24/7 security, low crime rates, and well-lit pedestrian areas, making it safe for tourists to explore day or night, including solo travelers and families.

What are El Gouna’s main attractions besides beaches?

Besides beaches, El Gouna offers Abu Tig Marina, golf courses, Sliders Cable Park, desert safaris, art galleries, and cultural events like the El Gouna Film Festival—making it a well-rounded destination for sports, entertainment, and relaxation beyond the sea.

In conclusion

The best Red Sea location is El Gouna Beach that has everything: amazing lagoons, water sports, holiday marinas, and luxurious resorts. Yet to say whether you want to relax or have fun, El Gouna opens the doors of the most stunning coastline escape you could possibly imagine, with all the world-class amenities and sun all year round. Always ensure you obtain an Egypt e-visa prior to your journey on the official Egypt Immigration Service site so that you have nothing to worry about during your stay. It is a fast and safe method of entering the country and beginning to experience all these things that El Gouna Beach has to offer.