Ras Sedr

Ras Sedr is the nearest sea to Cairo that is not the Mediterranean, about two hours by road through the tunnel under the canal, and that proximity has shaped it: a long strip of weekend compounds, chalets and kite camps along a shallow coast, busy at weekends and near empty midweek. The water is very shallow a long way out and the wind is consistent, which makes it one of the main kitesurfing and windsurfing destinations in Egypt and particularly good for beginners, since you can stand up over a large area. There is little else: the reef is poor compared with the Aqaba side, the town is functional, and the appeal is wind, flat water and the short drive. Hot springs and desert sites lie inland.

What you actually see

• Flat shallow water - standing depth far offshore, ideal for learning.
• Consistent wind - the reason the kite schools are here.
• Weekend compounds - the Cairo escape strip along the shore.
• Gulf of Suez shipping - vessels queuing for the canal on the horizon.

When to go

March to November for wind, with the strongest and most reliable conditions in spring and early summer. Weekends are full and midweek is empty. A weekend is the standard stay. Winter is cold and windy without the compensation.

Honest expectations

The beaches are unremarkable and the water is often murky. There is essentially nothing to do besides water sports. Most accommodation is in gated compounds with little atmosphere. Weekend traffic on the road from Cairo can be heavy in both directions.

Nearby

Hammam Pharaon lies south along the coast; the canal tunnel is west toward Cairo.