We were there for half term in Feb last year (flew out on 12th I think) and it was mostly warm during the day - and EXTREMELY windy in the evenings. My 9 year old wore four jumpers one night just so that we could sit out by the fires on the beach (was an especially windy spot). this year we are packing golf tops/waterproofs NOT for the rain (they had none at all last year for all 365 days) but to "windproof" us a bit.

We used the Rihana pool area quite a lot (was the warmest pool in El Gouna) and the pool there (and incidentally at the Sheraton too) are pretty well protected from the wind during the day.

Haven't stayed or eaten at the Rihana, but my kids joined their animation programme (Italian staff on the whole) and we went to an evening show in their theatre which was of a reasonable standard.

enjoy your holiday!!!

Thinking of going to El Gouna in April, we have been to Sharm does anyone know how the snorkeling compares? Can't seem to see much here about El Gouna, am I looking in he wrog place?

To be fair, the majority of snorkelling at El Gouna is best achieved by boat. There is a reef accessible from a 400m jetty from Zeytouna Beach within El Gouna, but all of the dive centres (and I think there are 7!) operate regular snorkelling trips of varying distances from shore.

El Gouna is a fabulous place - and the diving is excellent (closest resort to the infamous Thistlegorm).

We dive (and have snorkelled) with Divetribe when we are there and can strongly recommend them
http://www.divetribe.com/front/snorkelling.asp

please shout if you need any further or specific info and I'll help wherever I can

Archer... its probably cos more Brits go to Sharm... and to be honest - I can't blame them ! Sharm is nicer ( and so is Nuweiba though that's a different cup of tea anyway ).

But do visit... http://www.elgouna.com

Being a lucky person who has been to Nuweiba twice, Sharm, Taba and returning to the Movenpick in El Gouna for a second visit in 5 weeks time I feel like I need to add a few points.

El Gouna can be described as a fake Egypt, since it is a very tightly regulated resort with little hassle, if any, from shop keepers. The food is excellent from downtown and the marina, not to mention cheap. The only thing against it is the lack of any real snorkling oppertunities from the hotels.

Sharm is popular with the brits (and italians and russians etc), but I'm not sure why. From Nabaq Bay to Ras um Sid is quite a journey, and the prospect of a 20 - 30 min taxi ride to go our in an evening doesn't appeal to us. As for Sharm being real Egypt, I'm not sure how neon palm trees make it real (more like Vegas with the casinos as well), but the constant pestering you get in na'ama bay is however real. Then again, then food and drink are excellent too, the Camel bar and Hard Rock leaving good memories for both of us.

Nuwieba is then again something different. Love the place for being so isolated and a little oasis, and the Coral Hilton is every bit as good as the comments/reviews and can't wait to return again this autumn.

Gerrard

I've pm'd you. Would be great to get a review on the Panorama Bungalows when you get back if you have the time. Have heard good second-hand reports of the hotel, but it would be helpful to have some "first-hand" information too

tah-m

Hi

I am off to El Gouna in 4 weeks time. I am staying at the Sheraton Mirimar hotel.
Can anyone recommend any good restaurants?

thanks

Hi Scottj, this is one of the hotels we are thinking about for next May, please will you tell all when you get back.

Thanks,

hey guys i stayed at the sheraton in december last year. the hotel iteself is lovely, set in the lagoons. you can have a bit of a walk to the rooms but the views walking anywhere are lovely. the rooms are spacious and clean and have private balconys. the food is really good however evening meal in the hotel is quite expensive. the restuarents in el gouna are great. there are 2 sections the downtown area and the marina, both are great. try kiki's which is an italian set in a tower it is lovely. 5 of us ate in there 3 courses for 30 pounds!!! dunes is great as well the people in there are great. in the marina try bleu bleu lovely place and also the steak house it is part of one of the hotels. allreally good value.
any thing else you want to know let me know
boozeyboo

oh yeah and do get a tok tok. they are an experiance and only cost 50p!! you can order them from the hotel or you can get them downtown!!

Is it always windy in El Gouna? whatever time of year you go. Are the temperatures comparable to Sharm or does it tend to be slightly cooler?
Thanks

it wasn't to windy at all while we was there in december, talking to the locals it tends to be in march and april it is windy. el gouna doesn't get as hot as sharm but when we was there it was a good 25 all week. very nice. however i do like it hotter.
when are you thinking of going!

Most of the hotels in El Gouna are part of the 'Dine Around'. If you are in a 5* hotel any of the other places taking part you eat for free. If you are in a 3* and want to eat in a 5* you only pay the difference.

El Gouna is absolutely beautiful and I would recommend it to anyone.

We now live in Hurghada, but actually went to El Gouna on vacation one year in early December. Totally chilled out in time for Christmas with a fantastic tan. It does get cooler in the evenings though, so take a sweater/cardigan/light jacket. Don't go bare-legged at night, mossies bite!

Anything else, just drop me a line and I will try and help.

sensema
sorry to go off the subject!
do you live in egypt.
boozeyboo

We are hoping to go Whit half term which is the end of May and first few days of June. Sharm was really hot 100+, we normally do a Green Island and they are 80`s but with freezing cold pools. What would you tend to say about El Gouna, somewhere in between? will it be breezy?

Thanks

In the middle of may this year it was beween 30 and 37 c with a strong wind most of the time (it is a major resort for kitesurfing, we flew out next to the irish association !!). You did notice it on the few days with no wind though.

Hi, when it is windy does it tend to make people want to stay by the pools all the time, surely the wind must blow the sand around and make it quite yucky!! or am I thinking gale force when it is more like a breeze? We do prefer the pool but not partularly if we have to share it with everyone in the hotel at the same time.

Never had any problems with sand getting blown about, and there was no exodus to the pool areas for shelter. Indeed, your probably thinking a bit more of sandstorms, which your probably just as likely to get in sharm as well, although we never witnessed one in all our trips to egypt.

We had a sandstorm in Nuweiba two weeks ago. You really do need a sustained strong wind to cause one. Its not an every day occurence so not something you'd worry about.