If you have to choose between those spots, you have to go in Egypt.
Absolutely. We have been in Mars Alam a while ago and it was a very nice place.
Otherwise, I would personally go in Spain, Tarifa ...

October is probably a bit late for the med, You might be Ok in tariffa, but I think your best bet is egypt.

felixdcat said...

Tarifa anytime over Egypt, Cairo is a shyti place. Maybe Ibiza not exactly Europe but not to far!

You don't sail in Cairo

I have sailed in September in Dahab, and it was a bit gusty. I am sure there are people on here that have spent more time there and can tell you what the wind is going to be like in October.

I would be keen to try Moon Beach next time.

I guess the good thing about Dahab is there are probably lots of charter flights into SSH from parts of Europe.

Thanks Bristol, I found your post 6 month old about sailing at Dahab.
Interesting reading and I am almost ready for Egypt.
I am sure nothing match my Queensland windsurfing conditions but it looks like fun.
Any recommendation re accommodation ? I heard that I should be looking at 4 stars hotel since pests are all around in any cheaper...Have you had any cockroaches in your place?
Indeed I found flights from Berlin for around A$500-550 both ways so more money left beer :)

Macroscien said...

Thanks Bristol, I found your post 6 month old about sailing at Dahab.
. . .
Any recommendation re accommodation?

Indeed I found flights from Berlin for around A$500-550 both ways so more money left beer :)
. . .

I stayed at the Ganet Sinai. It wasn't flash, but there certainly was no problem with pests (two-legged, or otherwise). The Swiss Inn was top-of-the-line; super modern.

The biggest hassle I had was the transfers between Dahab & Sharm El Sheikh. If you take up a package deal (say, with Club Vass or equivalent), you will fly charter from Gatwick, and transfers are included. Maybe that's a good option for you. In my case, I was travelling from Athens, so back-pedalling to UK was not attractive.

ka43 said...

Mate just returned from Club Vass in the med. . . . awesome sailing but quite crowded some days. mega flat water and top wind.

Macroscien said...

I am looking for warm flat water, good wind condition in early October, reasonable costs.

The "season" for Vass (Lefkada Island, part of the Ionian group) ends mid-October. Wife and I island-hopped from Corfu to Lefkada, to Keffalonia. Our ferry departed from Vassiliki. All the sailing facilities had closed a week before we went through there. I think Vass and "early October" might be a bit risky.

Of course, there's never a guarantee with wind; you might get 7 days of doldrums in Dahab.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Keep us posted.

felixdcat said...

I know! but it is still a shyt hole! spent 4 of the worst days in my life as a tourist in Egypt! the pyramids are crap need to walk across a rubbish tip to get to it, thieves every where smelly.......... shyt hole! Maybe the rest of the country is better?????
Nah! Tarifa's the place!

Hey, we have something in common! I wasn't that thrilled with the attitude of the people in Cairo that tried to separate me from my money. I don't mind paying a bit extra, but they are really pushy and in your face about it.

Dahab on the other hand was a completely different place, with very different people. Maybe its because they don't need to be as competitive about things as the people in Cairo.

The only thing I didn't like about Dahab was the taxi ride there, as I hadn't arranged anything in advance, so I paid about 3 times as much than if I had booked an air conditioned mini van via the hotel. Oh well. Next time I will know better.

October is a real hit and miss in most European locations. I think your best bet for wind is Dahab. They have some good diving there as well if you are into that.

Despite of what people have said here you should go to Cairo while in Egypt. Go and see the pyramids as well as the Egyptian Museum.

You can do the trip out to the pyramids yourself. Just get a taxi for the return trip from your hotel. Negotiate the price before you commence the trip. Be prepared that they want to take you to a carpet shop but politely decline. There is a certainly level of hassle factor when travelling in Egypt. Just be polite and firm when you say no to any taut. It's quite amazing how far you get when you say no with a smile on your face.

I went to the pyramids with an organized tour and then again alone to watch the sunset. The organised tour was during the day and pretty much forgettable. The sunset experience was incredible. The best spot for that seems to be near the cemetery with the sun setting behind the pyramids. check it out on Google Maps: www.google.com.au:443/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode&q=Pyramids,+Giza,+Egypt&aq=0&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=74.133673,86.220703&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=Pyramids,&hnear=Al-Jizah,+Giza,+Egypt&t=h&fll=29.973069,31.136338&fspn=0.00921,0.010525&st=117288293809798721094&rq=1&ev=p&split=1&ll=29.97266,31.138204&spn=0.00921,0.010525&z=17

Remember these structures were build some 3,800 years ago. Whit that in mind it's a pretty awe inspiring experience to visit.

Yes the tauts are a pain but after spending 4 weeks in Vietnam with constant people in tow trying to sell me a hammock Egypt seems a lot easier.

robbo1111 said...

Stayed in Paros (Greek Island) in April on my honeymoon many moons ago. Not much wind at that time but the hotel we stayed at (Hotel Philoxenia) was the site for whatever world cup sailing they used to run back then. They used to rent good quality gear, not sure if they still do.

The beach is called "New Golden Beach". The winds comes cross off to sideshore. Not much in the way of waves but during summer it gets very windy. I once sailed there 4 days in a row never using anything bigger then a 3.5.

The other beach in the area is called "Santa Maria" where the wind comes sideshow and is a bit less. Plenty of chop in this bay with some sort of wave at the southern end.

Go for Dahab !!!!!!!

It pretty much looks like this -

Awesome flatwater beaches for speedsailing and cruising then just a quick run outside the reef and you have plenty of decent sized swells to launch off. Water temps are SUPER warm and the wind is pretty consistent late in the year like now. Did I mention fuel is like 10c a litre there?

I would probably stay at the Dahab Hilton or any hotel in that area as that's where all the windsurf rental stations are.

Dahab will be about 10x cheaper than anywhere else also, so you can spend what you save on business class tickets and roll like a king.

Dahab in October is the change over from the summer winds to the winter winds.. Not always reliable, will get weeks without wind.. Summer has wind in the morning, every day, while winter has less windy days but it blows longer into the arvo when it does..

While we are posting old videos..

divaldo said...

Great Vid Sean, did you put that together?

Dahab looks kinda cool,

Yes, shot and edited by me! Thanks.

Ps. I think Lake Garda is starting to get a bit cold in October ... definitely still wind there though!

Just reading about hotels. I am surprised that standard price for accessing internet there is about $10 / hour ! Pity, I will not be posting direct reports to you my friends everyday I am afraid once there.
Say nothing that my favorite work/hobby -playing forex once laying on the beach or hammock is not an option in Egypt.

Its right at the bottom. All of the hotels are along the water there, and unfortunately provide a bit of a wind shadow for the off shore winds.

When you get out further it is much better, and the bit below the very last bit of land in your map is the speed strip. People go out there to get the cleaner wind until the wind drops at which point everyone wobbles back to shore.

I think there's another name for the actual town, which is where it says 'Dahab', or am I imagining that...

The hotels being right on the water mean that you don't have to walk far at all. I stayed at the Hilton and at the Coralia. I preferred the Harry Nass centre for its location, but it didn't have many cammed sails in the sizes I wanted, and I wanted cammed sails as it was so gusty.

If you do go, make sure you choose your board size carefully as it locks you into using that board all of the time, or fighting over whats left. Based on the wind strength I chose a smaller board than I actually needed. As it is gusty, you really want something floatier than you might otherwise want.

Macroscien said...

Just reading about hotels. I am surprised that standard price for accessing internet there is about $10 / hour ! Pity, I will not be posting direct reports to you my friends everyday I am afraid once there.
Say nothing that my favorite work/hobby -playing forex once laying on the beach or hammock is not an option in Egypt.

Some of the hotels have free internet. The one I stayed at Coralia which is right next door to Harry Nass, had free wireless...

Dilema: Should I:
a) go for budget accommodation Dahab Plaza Hotel _A$750 including flights from Europe for 7 days and free internet - ** Hotel



b) Luxury (still affordable ***** Hotel - Hilton Resort $1100 , but internet $10 an hour :(((




c) something in the middle Four Stars - such as Coralia mate above recommend- where internet is free and cockroaches will not eat me alive