What's the weather like in Hamata during the kite camps?
In principle, Hamata is a year-round kiting spot. Thanks to its unique location, the spot is fortunately within the trade wind belt almost all year round. In April, during the Seamen Race, we expect the best conditions of the year: pleasant temperatures with a daily average of 25°C and a nearly 60% chance of winds exceeding 20 knots. Within a 4-hour flight radius from Austria, there’s hardly a better place to kite in December than Hamata. However, when it comes to average nighttime temperatures, the statistics tell a different story than what we’ve experienced ourselves over the past 8 years. We’ve had December evenings where we needed jackets and hats, and we’ve had evenings when we could barely sleep without air conditioning. Daytime temperatures are actually always a steady 25°C, the average wind speed is 15 knots, and if the thermals cooperate, you’ll also get a few days of strong winds exceeding 28 knots. We recommend a 3/2 mm wetsuit in both April and December.
What's the weather like in Hamata during the kite camps?
In principle, Hamata is a year-round kiting spot. Thanks to its unique location, the spot is fortunately within the trade wind belt almost all year round. In April, during the Seamen Race, we expect the best conditions of the year: pleasant temperatures with a daily average of 25°C and a nearly 60% chance of winds exceeding 20 knots. Within a 4-hour flight radius from Austria, there’s hardly a better place to kite in December than Hamata. However, when it comes to average nighttime temperatures, the statistics tell a different story than what we’ve experienced ourselves over the past 8 years. We’ve had December evenings where we needed jackets and hats, and we’ve had evenings when we could barely sleep without air conditioning. Daytime temperatures are actually always a steady 25°C, the average wind speed is 15 knots, and if the thermals cooperate, you’ll also get a few days of strong winds exceeding 28 knots. We recommend a 3/2 mm wetsuit in both April and December.
Do I need to exchange euros for Egyptian pounds?
No! At Kite Village Hamata, everything is paid for in euros. Since breakfast and dinner are already included, you don't need to bring much cash. At the kitesurfing spot, there's a beach bar (à la carte for lunch) and a beach shop with everything you might need. It's also customary to tip the beach boys. They run several kilometers every day and always make sure you're safe.
What are the meal options like at Kite Village?
Everything a hungry kiter’s stomach could want. The breakfast buffet features fresh vegetables, salad, fruit salad, and fresh fruit—and our personal highlight: the famous Egyptian Domiati (white cheese). Similar to feta, but spreadable and milder. You can order various fresh egg dishes from the chef: fried eggs, scrambled eggs, omelets—filled with different ingredients upon request. Another breakfast highlight is fresh pancakes! Every morning, you can order pancakes with Egyptian sesame-based nougat cream. That’s the perfect way to start a day of kitesurfing. For a midday snack, there’s an extensive menu available on the beach. Pasta Bolognese, various pizzas, burgers, salads, and occasionally grilled fish. That’s why you should always bring a little cash with you to the beach. Dinner in the evening is also served buffet-style. Various salads, fresh hummus, at least two different soups, plenty of cooked vegetables, additional side dishes, and at least three main courses. The pastry selection is also incredible! Sponge cakes with various fillings, éclairs, and many local desserts such as goulasch (phyllo dough with honey) or salabia (dough balls with honey or granulated sugar).
Do I have good internet reception at Kite Village?
Hamata generally doesn't have the best network coverage. There's no hotel Wi-Fi, neither at the bungalows nor on the beach. In Egypt, you’ll need to get a SIM card for internet access. Definitely go with Vodafone! Etisalat doesn’t work this far south. And be careful when buying a SIM card at the airport! You might buy 5 GB and then realize after just an hour’s ride on the airport shuttle to Hamata that your data allowance is already used up. Often, the salesperson isn’t really to blame. The SIM cards are very often defective, and of course, sometimes you’re just getting ripped off. If you buy a SIM card at the beach shop right in Kite Village, this can happen to you too, but you can file a complaint for free!
Besides kitesurfing, what else is on the agenda?
The Red Sea is definitely not boring! Adjacent to the spot is a mangrove forest with beautiful sandbars surrounded by crystal-clear water. A walk during dead calm and low tide is balm for the soul. If you bring your snorkeling gear along, with a little luck you’ll encounter the most beautiful inhabitants of the Red Sea among the reef blocks: sea turtles, blue-spotted stingrays, electric rays, moray eels, parrotfish, and clownfish as far as the eye can see—and many more. If you’re interested, you can also organize real diving trips through a nearby hotel. A sunset ride through the desert on quads (semi-automatic) combined with a visit to a Bedouin hotel in a desert gorge is also highly recommended.