El Gouna – Swimming after the Nile Cruise
The bathing part of the Nile route – lagoons and houses
The bathing part of the Nile route – lagoons and houses
On the coast of the Red Sea, 25 kilometers north of the city of Hurghada, lies El Gouna – a planned place. Lagoons, canals, and islands connected by bridges form its outline. The name of the place stands for a lagoon landscape, not for an old town. Those who want to combine a Nile cruise with swimming in El Gouna will find here the bathing part of a combination, not a beach holiday for themselves alone.
El Gouna is at the end of the route, as a conclusion at the Red Sea or as an extension after the round trip. For a journey through Egypt this means: The holiday in El Gouna comes after the sites, not before them. Three houses are available: The Chedi El Gouna, La Maison Bleue, and Casa Cook El Gouna.
Best travel time
El Gouna near Hurghada – Arrival and location
El Gouna is located on the coast north of Hurghada, the airport Hurghada south of the city. Those who finish the Nile cruise on the Red Sea drive from Luxor by car to El Gouna and are on the way for about four hours.
1# Hurghada
25 kilometers to the city according to the information of the local operator, the airport is located south of the city, El Gouna north.
2# From Luxor
After the Nile cruise, about four hours drive.
El Gouna after the Nile cruise
A journey through millennia ends with four nights in El Gouna, as an optional extension at the Red Sea in The Chedi El Gouna. The four nights are added to the trip, and those who do not book the extension travel the route without a bathing part.
The trip "Pharaoh's History Meets Relaxation at the Red Sea" takes three nights in El Gouna, also in The Chedi El Gouna, and the three nights are included in the trip duration. A Nile cruise does not belong to this trip – those who want to see the Nile from the ship choose one of the Nile cruises .
Those who book this combination set the date after the sites, not after the water. The season starts in October, and this month has an average of 32.1 degrees as the daily maximum. The water temperature is an average of 21 degrees in January based on thirty years of normal period 1961–1990 and reaches 27 degrees in August and September.
El Gouna – Districts and Attractions
El Gouna is not a grown city but a planned one: Samih Sawiris had the place built starting in 1989, along a 10-kilometer beach section. Besides the hotels, the local operator conducts property sales, resale, rentals, designated residential districts, and binding community rules – El Gouna is also a place to live, not just a hotel place.
For the routes within El Gouna, there are tuk-tuks: The local operator has three operators, and Toktok operates from 7 a.m. in the morning. An internal shuttle bus is described by the houses themselves.
Downtown and Abu Tig Marina
The districts of El Gouna are called Downtown, Abu Tig Marina, New Marina, Zaytouna Island, and Mangroovy. The shuttle boat connects Downtown El Gouna with Zaytouna Island and passes by Sunset Tower, Abu Tig Marina, and New Marina. Guided tours are available in German and English.
Snorkeling and Diving in El Gouna
Five dive bases are operated by the local operator for El Gouna: Orca Dive Club, Dream Team Divers, Scuba World Diving Centre, Blue Brother Divers, and The Dive Connection. The bases offer day trips, half and full days, as well as short and full-day tours, one of them from Abu Tig Marina, and also The Chedi El Gouna and La Maison Bleue describe snorkeling as a boat trip.
At the beach of The Chedi El Gouna, snorkeling equipment is available, and the beach and pools open according to the house from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Houses on the beach of El Gouna
Three houses are available in El Gouna, and the dividing line between them is based on age. The Chedi El Gouna expressly welcomes children and sets a minimum age of 18 years for check-in. La Maison Bleue accepts guests from 16 years, Casa Cook El Gouna also according to the information of the local operator. Additionally, there are two different sizes for the suites.
Restaurants and Dine Around in El Gouna
Four gastronomic establishments are operated by The Chedi El Gouna according to its own information: The Restaurant, The Beach House, Nihon, and The Lounge. Dine Around is a program of the local operator in which The Chedi El Gouna participates: Those who have booked a meal rate in a participating house can eat in the restaurants of other participating houses. Drinks and extras are not included, and reservations are made through the reception before noon.
The Chedi El Gouna
The Chedi El Gouna has 82 rooms and suites in six categories, the Premium Beachfront category is at 35 square meters. A finely carved ebony door separates the sleeping and living areas, along with bamboo details and a wash basin made of pearl marble. The house is situated on a slope, not flat on the beach, and the deluxe rooms are located in an inner courtyard on the hill. Orascom Hotels Management operates The Chedi El Gouna under a franchise agreement with GHM Hotels.
La Maison Bleue at the Lagoon
La Maison Bleue has 13 suites in four suite categories and one villa, three of the categories ranging from 80 to 120 square meters. The house is located at a private lagoon, a stone's throw from the Red Sea and according to its own information outside of El Gouna, featuring colonnades, marble, coffered ceilings, and frescoes. The kitchen is run by a French chef, and La Maison Bleue is a member of Relais & Châteaux and adults only.
Casa Cook El Gouna
Casa Cook El Gouna offers thirteen room options from 39 to 83 square meters in four view types, and only this has a mountain view from the three houses. The swim-up suites provide direct access to a shared pool, not to their own. Casa Cook El Gouna is adults only.
Round trips with a stop in El Gouna
Two trips in the portfolio include El Gouna as a separate, named stop with a number of nights and a designated house. "A journey through millennia" lasts 10 days, with El Gouna as an optional extension with four nights. "Pharaoh's history meets relaxation at the Red Sea" lasts 9 days, the three nights in El Gouna are included in it, and both trips set the same house.
on request
Hotels in El Gouna
Three houses are available: The Chedi El Gouna on a slope, La Maison Bleue at a private lagoon outside of El Gouna, and Casa Cook El Gouna with rooms in four view types.
Frequently Asked Questions about El Gouna
Where is El Gouna located?
On the coast of the Red Sea, north of Hurghada. El Gouna is not a grown city, but a planned lagoon landscape of canals and islands that are connected by bridges. The airport Hurghada is located south of the city, El Gouna north of it.
How far is El Gouna from Hurghada?
That depends on the reference point: According to the information of the local operator, it is 25 kilometers to the city of Hurghada. The airport Hurghada is located south of the city and El Gouna north of it.
Can you go snorkeling in El Gouna?
Yes, as a boat trip. The local operator operates five dive bases in El Gouna, including Orca Dive Club, and also The Chedi El Gouna and La Maison Bleue describe snorkeling as a boat trip. At the beach of The Chedi El Gouna snorkeling equipment is available.
Which is the best hotel in El Gouna?
That depends on who is traveling with you. Three houses are available in El Gouna: The Chedi El Gouna expressly welcomes children, La Maison Bleue and Casa Cook El Gouna are adults only. La Maison Bleue is a member of Relais & Châteaux, Casa Cook El Gouna offers as the only one of the three houses rooms with mountain views.
What is Dine Around in El Gouna?
A program of the local operator: Those who have booked a meal rate in a participating house can eat in the restaurants of other participating houses. Drinks and extras are not included. The Chedi El Gouna participates, and the reservation is made through the reception before noon.
