Quick answer
Soma Bay is a private resort peninsula about 45–50 km south of Hurghada, just north of Safaga, with a handful of large hotels, an 18-hole championship golf course and some of the most reliable wind on the coast for kitesurfing. It suits travellers who want to stay put and be active, rather than explore a town.
What is Soma Bay?
Soma Bay is a gated peninsula of resorts, villas and a golf course jutting into the Red Sea between Hurghada and Safaga, with water on three sides and the mountains of the Eastern Desert behind. There is no town: the peninsula is privately developed, and almost everything you need is inside one of a handful of large hotels or the small marina area.
That makes it calm and spacious, and the beaches are rarely busy. The trade-off is isolation: Hurghada's marina is around 45 minutes away and Safaga, a working port town, about 20 minutes south. Soma Bay suits travellers with a plan: learning to kite, a week of golf or diving the reefs off Safaga. For a simpler beach stay closer to the airport, look at Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing at Soma Bay
Soma Bay is one of Egypt's top kitesurfing spots because the peninsula catches the steady northerly wind that blows down the Red Sea, while sheltered shallows on its edges give flat water for learning. Kite and windsurf centres operate from the beaches of the main resorts, with lessons, equipment hire and rescue boats.
The wind blows on most days of the year. It is usually most consistent from about April to October and often builds through the day, so many schools teach beginners in the morning and leave the stronger afternoon sessions to experienced riders. Winter brings more variable conditions, cooler water around 22°C and the need for a full wetsuit.
- A beginner course to independent riding typically takes around 8–12 hours of instruction over several days.
- Choose a centre with radio helmets, a rescue boat and an instructor-to-student ratio of one or two.
- Check your travel insurance covers kitesurfing; many policies need an add-on.
Our kitesurfing in Egypt guide compares Soma Bay with El Gouna, Dahab and Ras Sudr.
Golf: the Cascades course
Soma Bay's 18-hole championship course, The Cascades, was designed by Gary Player and plays along the shore, with sea views from many holes. It is one of the better-known courses on Egypt's Red Sea, along with the two at El Gouna.
Tee off early. From May to September the course is hot by mid-morning, and even in winter the afternoon wind affects play. Equipment hire and buggies are available, but serious golfers usually bring their own clubs; check your airline's sports-equipment allowance, particularly on the Gulf connections from Australia.
Diving and snorkelling from Soma Bay
Soma Bay is a handy base for the reefs off Safaga, which are quieter than Hurghada's, and its hotels have house reefs reached by jetties. Dive centres on the peninsula run day boats to sites such as Tobia Arba, a group of coral pillars rising from sand, and Panorama Reef, a wall with soft corals and reef sharks.
Off Safaga lies the wreck of the Salem Express, a passenger ferry that sank in December 1991 with the loss of hundreds of lives, many of them pilgrims returning from Mecca. It can be dived by experienced divers, but many treat it as a grave and choose not to enter it; if you go, dive it respectfully and do not take anything. Our scuba diving in Egypt guide covers courses and certification.
Getting there and getting around
Transfer about 40–50 minutes south from Hurghada International Airport, or roughly 3.5–4 hours from Luxor via the Safaga road. Soma Bay is the closest of the big resort areas to the junction where the Luxor road meets the coast, which shortens the drive after a Nile cruise.
Once there, you can walk or take hotel shuttles between the resorts, the marina and the golf course. Beyond the peninsula you will need a booked car or taxi. Day trips to Luxor are feasible from here, but long.
Who should stay in Soma Bay?
Choose Soma Bay if you want to learn or practise a wind sport, play golf, dive the Safaga reefs or simply rest somewhere uncrowded with resort facilities. Families who want a quiet beach do well here too, but those who want restaurants and shopping on foot will be happier in El Gouna or central Hurghada.
- March to May and September to November bring air temperatures of about 26–32°C and water of 24–28°C.
- Pack a windproof layer: the breeze that makes the kiting good also makes evenings cool in winter.
- Book lessons and golf tee times in advance in European holiday periods.
Soma Bay: FAQs
How far is Soma Bay from Hurghada?
About 45–50 km south, or 40–50 minutes by road from Hurghada airport.
Is Soma Bay good for beginner kitesurfers?
Yes. Schools teach in shallow, flat water with rescue boats, usually in the morning when the wind is gentler.
Is there a town in Soma Bay?
No. It is a private resort peninsula. The nearest town is Safaga, about 20 minutes south; Hurghada is about 45 minutes north.
When is the wind best in Soma Bay?
The wind blows on most days of the year and is typically most consistent from about April to October, often building in the afternoon. Winter is more variable and the water cooler.
Can you snorkel in Soma Bay?
Yes, from hotel jetties and on boat trips to the Safaga reefs. For the classic Hurghada island day, the Giftun Islands are reachable by boat from Hurghada.