Starlink is Dead in Egypt — Long Live Holafly

I’ve found a plan B for internet during a kite safari. Starlink used to work perfectly in our yacht during 2022/2023/2024 Kite Safari Season. But 2025 brought a new unexpected and unwelcome surprise — Starlink is not working anymore.

I’m testing this week at sea a new alternative, an eSim called holafly. An eSim is an electronic sim card (not a phisical one) that you will simply download to your phone. It’s easier than it sounds. It works ok, not well of course as with Starlink, but well enough to let me write this article, text my friends, share some pictures, and work. So I will write here a guide to how to use Holafly in Egypt.

STEP 1

Install the app — it’s the most practical way to get started.

STEP 2

Check the option — 1 unlimited plan for 7 days. It costs around 35€. The check out procedure it is very simple, and it will end up with you paying (obviously) and receiving an email with a QR code. If you don’t receive that email, contact the customer support with the in app message system — they are pretty fast in answering and they normally fix your problem pretty fast.

STEP 3

You need to open your camera and visualize the QR code — the best way to do it is to ask a friend to make a picture of your QR code, then scan it with your phone.

STEP 4

Follow the procedure and an eSim will be added to your plan — you now will have two lines — your regular line and a dedicated line only for internet. Done.