Nauryz in Egypt from Astana: tours

Nauryz in Egypt from Astana is a beach holidays on the Red Sea in late March, when the air stays around +26 °C and the water warms up to +22 °C. The holiday dates fall on an even season without summer heat. The time difference with Almaty is 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer: Egypt changes its clocks (UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer), while Kazakhstan stays on UTC+5 all year round. Resorts from Hurghada to Marsa Alam welcome tourists as usual.

When to go to the Red Sea for Nauryz?

Here is the turning point of the season: winter has already retreated, and the summer heat has not yet arrived. The holiday dates fall on the most even period along the coast. Nauryz in Egypt from Astana is convenient to combine with a beach holidays while snow is still lying in Kazakhstan.

Weather and water in late March

The air in Hurghada stays around +26 °C, and the sea warms up to +22 °C. In Sharm El Sheikh the air is slightly warmer, but the nights are cooler due to the mountain framing. Marsa Alam and Safaga offer the calmest water on this stretch of spring. In Dahab the water is cooler due to the depth near the shore, but underwater visibility is excellent. Egyptian spring is good precisely because you can swim all day, not only at noon. In the evening in Taba and Nuweiba a light jacket will come in handy. By the end of the month the water in El Gouna becomes comfortable for long swims. The conclusion is simple: the more southern the resort, the less the holiday depends on the whims of the weather.

Wind on different coasts

Wind in March is the main factor that distinguishes one resort in Egypt from another. In Dahab and Nuweiba it blows constantly, and this attracts kite and windsurfers. Hurghada and Safaga stand in more sheltered bays, so it is quieter here. Sharm El Sheikh is protected by mountains, but on open beaches it still pulls. Marsa Alam and El Gouna hardly know strong wind at this time. Locals call the steady wind "jish", and for sea trips it is important. With a strong jish, boats to the reefs may not go out, while snorkeling from the shore remains available. Check the forecast the day before going to sea, not on the morning of the trip.

What to consider before departure from Kazakhstan?

Preparations from Astana for the holidays require attention to details that do not depend on the resort. Let us sort out money and flights separately.

Visa, insurance and money

The medical policy for a trip to Egypt is arranged in advance and taken with coverage from 30 thousand euros. Cheap policies often exclude diving and active sports, so before buying, clarify the list of restrictions. It is more profitable to exchange tenge for Egyptian pounds in banks in Hurghada, not at the airport. Dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but change will be given in pounds at an unfavorable rate. Cards work in large hotels in Sharm El Sheikh, while in El Gouna and Safaga cash is more reliable. Keep small notes for tips and taxis. Do not leave large sums in the room, use the safe at the reception.

Night flights and connections

The time difference with Almaty is 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer: Egypt changes its clocks (UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer), while Kazakhstan stays on UTC+5 all year round. The body hardly notices the change of time zone, so adaptation is easy. A connection through third countries lengthens the journey and adds the risk of missing the transfer. Allow at least three hours for the connection if the tickets are bought separately. Put a toothbrush and a spare T-shirt in your hand luggage. It is worth sleeping on the plane, otherwise the first day in Hurghada will go to recovery.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the portal of the electronic visa of the Arab Republic of Egypt, https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. The information on this page was checked on 18.09.2026.

How to choose a resort for your holiday

Resorts in Egypt differ not only in price, but also in the character of the sea near the shore. Below are two approaches that tourists most often look for.

Calm lagoons for families

Family holidays in Egypt are more convenient to build around lagoons with shallow water. In El Gouna the water near the shore is knee-deep, and the entry into the sea is smooth and without stones. Hurghada offers hotels with their own lagoons, where children swim under supervision. Safaga is quieter and cheaper, but the infrastructure for children is more modest. In Sharm El Sheikh, take a hotel in Naama Bay or near the Sharks Bay lagoons. Marsa Alam will suit those who want sparsely populated beaches and warm water. Kids' clubs operate at large hotels, check the age and language of the animators in advance. Conclusion: for a family, the entry into the sea is more important than the star rating of the hotel.

Diving and snorkeling from the shore

Diving in Egypt is available to beginners right from the shore, without a boat and long crossings. In Dahab certification is obtained in three to four days, and this is the most popular place to start. Nuweiba is cheaper, but the reefs near the shore are poorer. In Sharm El Sheikh, snorkeling from the shore is good at Ras Umm Sid and in Nabq Bay. Hurghada and Safaga take you to the reefs by boat, but there is also something to see from the shore. Marsa Alam is considered the best place to meet dugongs and dolphins. For snorkeling, a mask, a snorkel and coral shoes are enough. Do not touch the corals with your hands, otherwise the reef will die.

What to do besides the beach

A holiday in Egypt is not limited to a sun lounger, and Nauryz is a good occasion to see the country. Here are two directions worth considering.

Pyramids, Luxor and the desert

The Pyramids of Giza can realistically be seen in one day from Hurghada, the road takes about five hours one way. Luxor from Hurghada is closer, and there they visit the Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. From Sharm El Sheikh, one-day tours to the pyramids fly by plane. Desert safaris on jeeps and quad bikes are arranged near any resort in Egypt. A Bedouin dinner with tea and flatbreads is usually included in the program. In El Gouna and Safaga the safari is shorter, but cheaper. Take an excursion from a hotel guide or a trusted operator, not from a random person on the street.

Markets, haggling and sea fishing

Markets in Egypt live by their own rules, and haggling here is part of the purchase. In Hurghada go to the El Dahar market, in Sharm El Sheikh — to the Old Market. The starting price is boldly knocked down, sometimes by half. In fixed-price stores haggling does not work, there they simply choose. Spices, papyrus and cotton are most often brought home. Sea fishing in Egypt goes all year round, but in spring the catch is especially good. In Marsa Alam and Hurghada a boat is rented for half a day with a captain and tackle. Agree on the price before going to sea, not after.

How to organize everyday life on site

The little things of everyday life decide what impression of the trip will remain. Let's break down transfer and everyday expenses.

Transfer and choosing a hotel

Transfer from the airport to the hotel in Egypt is booked in advance or taken on the spot. A group bus is cheaper, but picks up passengers at all hotels and takes a long time. An individual car costs more, but will get you there in an hour. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, hotels are located close to the airport; in Marsa Alam the road is longer. All inclusive is convenient on a short trip when there is no time to look for cafes. Bed and breakfast is chosen by those who want to try local cuisine and travel around the city. In Safaga and Nuweiba, the choice of hotels is more modest, but prices are lower. Read reviews about the entrance to the sea, not just about the rooms.

Ramadan, tips and payment

Ramadan may coincide with the trip, and the operating hours of establishments in Egypt then change. Cafes and shops open later, some places are closed during the day. Hotels at resorts operate as usual and feed tourists all day. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, restaurants for tourists are open, but in residential neighborhoods it is quieter. Tips in Egypt are customarily given for cleaning, transfer and help with luggage. Always keep small bills in pounds on hand. Card payment works in large hotels, but in markets and taxis you need cash.

Briefly

• Egypt welcomes Nowruz with a warm sea without summer heat and crowds.
• The water at the end of March is comfortable at the southern resorts of the Red Sea.
• The wind is stronger in Dahab and Nuweiba, calmer in El Gouna and Safaga.
• The policy is arranged in advance with coverage from 30 thousand euros.
• Family holidays are built around the lagoons of Hurghada and El Gouna.