The Blue Lagoon is located just 20 kilometres north of Dahab on the Gulf of Aqaba and is an absolute world-class kitespot. It can only be reached by boat via the sea – or by a diversion of over 100 kilometres from Dahab via the inland. According to numerous locals, a good price for a boat is currently EGP 3,000, or around €60. But even after several hours of negotiations with a number of providers, not a single one was prepared to take us along at this price. We pay EGP 4,000 including transfer. The transport home is cancelled.
For a world-class kitespot, you should also choose good winds. We choose the day with the best forecast. Firstly, the wind at the Blue Lagoon is much more constant than in Dahab, despite the proximity to high mountains. Secondly, about five knots stronger. Thirdly, at the northern end offshore over really mirror-smooth flat water. Just a week ago, Red Bull organised the “Winds of Sinai” competition here.
We jump into a ten-person boat on the beach in front of the Daniela Dive Resort. Alternatively, there are also more expensive boats from the centre of Dahab. The strong wind today brings quite a nice swell of a good metre and a half. Our captain, who is just ten years old, is celebrating his Sturm und Drang phase. The waves crash high over the boat. Everything gets wet. The impacts in the wave troughs are hard. Our kiteboards almost take off several times.
Boats can only enter the Blue Lagoon at high tide. Our Captain Baby approaches slowly through the labyrinth of the fringing reef. Then he goes full throttle. Turquoise blue water in front of high red mountains under an azure sky. Cries of joy in the airstream. Several small huts with simple food and drink. Ultra basic accommodation is also available here. The first kiteboarder is already up to almost ten metres. We are the second group today.
Park the equipment, grease up and inflate. Off to the water before it gets crowded. The wind is up to 28 knots today. The entrance in the north is garnished with a few sharp stones on the shore. Otherwise, the most dangerous thing about this magical spot is the extreme density of world-class riders. Most of them are super nice and sometimes even give me the right of way on the launch ramp. A few are universal arseholes who show no consideration for anyone, often shout at the top of their voices and don’t respect any right of way rules.
I don’t recognise any of their faces. With double kiteloop board-off rotations at a height of over ten metres and jumps of up to 80 metres every 15 seconds, we are definitely the goldfish in a shark tank today. I move further down to the southern lagoon. It’s much quieter there. The northern end is definitely off-limits for beginners. By the afternoon, around 20 people are kitesurfing here. Many Egyptian tourists swim on the land side of the Blue Lagoon from midday. Jumping is then only possible further south or on the northern rocket launch ramp to the left. I make my highest jump of 7.8 metres, once again on my broken leg, although I almost always jump to the left.
In the late afternoon at low tide, we take a jeep a good five kilometres south over a bumpy track to the beach at Ras Abu Galum. Our little captain is waiting for us here and drives us back to the gates of Dahab.
Blue Lagoon Pro:
- perfect flat water at the northern end
- the wind blows stronger and more constant than in Dahab
- Marvel at the amazing tricks of world-class riders
Blue Lagoon Contra:
- expensive and difficult journey across the sea in strong winds
- during our visit there were a few reckless louts outside
- Bathers on the west side
Frank Woelky, born in 1973. Kitesurfer since 1998. Since 2006, I have been combining kitesurfing and web design on trips lasting several months off the beaten track.