Beta Live · Please report any issues
Soma Bay
Red Sea Gem

Soma
Bay

Ras Abu Soma · Red Sea · Egypt · 45 min from Hurghada

A 2,500-acre peninsula where the desert meets the sea: golden beaches, world-class kiting, Africa's finest thalassotherapy spa and some of the most pristine house reef in the northern Red Sea.

11km
Coastline
6
Hotels
18-hole
Golf Course
Sep–Apr
Best Season
Overview

Where the desert meets the sea

Soma Bay is a private gated peninsula on the Red Sea coast, 45km south of Hurghada Airport and about 40 minutes by road. Developed from desert in 1991, it has grown into one of Egypt's most complete resort destinations, a self-contained world of beaches, hotels, restaurants, a marina, a championship golf course and one of the finest spas on the African continent.

The peninsula stretches 11km of coastline and covers 2,500 acres. Once through the gates you're in a different world: golf buggies ferry guests along the 4km beachfront promenade, the pace drops, and the only decision is whether to be on the water, in it or under it. The house reef at Ras Abu Soma is accessed via a 420-metre jetty and is one of the most accessible and healthy reef systems in the northern Red Sea.

Soma Bay is also one of the world's premier kitesurfing destinations, with the wind conditions and flat water lagoons that attract serious kiters from Europe and beyond. The combination of diving, kiting, golf, spa and beach makes it one of the few Red Sea destinations that genuinely offers something for every type of traveller.

Where to Stay

Six hotels, one peninsula

The Cascades Spa & Thalasso is an independent facility at the Cascades Golf Resort. Kempinski, Mövenpick and Breakers guests can access it via shuttle.

Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay
5-Star · Luxury · 325 Rooms
★★★★★

European luxury directly on the beach: infinity pool, multiple restaurants and one of the more refined stretches of private beach on the peninsula. Kempinski guests can access the Cascades Spa & Thalasso, a separate independent facility, via a complimentary shuttle.

Private BeachMultiple PoolsFine DiningThalasso Access
Sheraton Soma Bay Resort
5-Star · Family · 326 Rooms
★★★★★

Inspired by the Karnak Temple Complex, with grand Egyptianate architecture on 800m of beachfront. The first hotel built in Soma Bay. Completed a full renovation in late 2025, lobby, rooms and restaurants all refurbished. The top family choice on the peninsula.

Renovated 2025Family Friendly800m BeachSpa
The Cascades Golf Resort, Spa & Thalasso
5-Star · Golf · Spa · Independent
★★★★★

Soma Bay's centrepiece: elevated on the highest point of the peninsula above the Gary Player 18-hole championship course. Home to the Cascades Spa & Thalasso, 7,500 sqm across 65 treatment rooms and an 830m³ seawater Aquatonic pool, one of the largest dedicated thalassotherapy facilities in the world. Operated independently; accessible to guests of all peninsula hotels.

18-Hole GolfThalasso SpaSea ViewsOpen to All Hotels
The Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge
4-Star · Water Sports · 173 Rooms
★★★★

The divers' and kiters' hotel, positioned next to the house reef and kite lagoons. Direct reef access via the on-site dive centre, rooftop terrace with panoramic sauna, open-air cinema and a beach bar.

House Reef AccessKite HubReef FacingRooftop Sauna
Robinson Club Soma Bay
4-Star · Club · 348 Rooms
★★★★

Arabesque architecture and lush landscaping on 500m of beach. The liveliest hotel on the peninsula: 6 bars, evening entertainment, pilates and yoga. A strong choice for solo travellers and groups.

500m Beach6 BarsNightlifeYoga & Pilates
Mövenpick Waterpark Resort & Spa
5-Star · Family · Waterpark
★★★★★

An established Accor property with its own on-site waterpark, Splash Mania, making it the strongest family option on the peninsula alongside the Sheraton. Full beach access, multiple pools and a Lebanese restaurant added in a recent expansion.

WaterparkFamily FriendlyBeach AccessMultiple Pools
The Beaches

11km of coastline

01
Cascades Private Beach
Shallow, calm water with semicircular bamboo sunbed arrangements, the quietest and most elegant beach on the peninsula. Ideal for children and non-swimmers.
Atlas Pick
02
S.Cape Beach
The social beach: bars, music, beach volleyball and the energy that Soma Bay is known for in summer. The best place to meet other guests.
Lively
03
Kite Beach, 7Bft
The flat water lagoon that made Soma Bay famous in kitesurfing circles. Consistent thermal winds, flat water and professional instruction October–April.
Kite & Wind
04
Ras Abu Soma, House Reef
Access via the 420-metre jetty. Directly above some of the healthiest coral in the northern Red Sea. Not a sunbathing beach. It's entirely about what's beneath the surface.
Reef Access
05
Marina Beach
The stretch of sand adjacent to the Soma Bay marina, lined by the 4km promenade. Beautiful at sunset, with boats bobbing and desert mountains in the distance.
Sunset · Walk
Things to Do

On the water, in it, above it

Scuba Diving

The house reef at Ras Abu Soma is one of the most pristine and accessible in the northern Red Sea, reached by jetty directly from the peninsula. Daily boat dives run to offshore sites including Elphinstone, roughly an hour out. Beginner courses through to Dive Master are available, and visibility, coral health and fish density consistently place Soma Bay among the top reef dive destinations in Egypt.

Kitesurfing

7Bft Kite House is one of the most respected kite schools in the world. Consistent thermal winds Oct–Apr, flat water lagoon, a pilgrimage for serious kiters from Europe.

Sailing

Soma Bay hosts international competitive sailing: the 2026 Arab Sailing Championships were held here in January, with ILCA Olympic-class fleets from across the Arab world. Catamaran and dinghy hire available through the marina.

Golf

The Gary Player-designed 18-hole par 72 Cascades course, fairways running between the Red Sea and the desert mountains. Open year-round, best Oct–Apr.

Water Sports

Wakeboarding, water skiing, glass bottom boats, sea kayaking and paddleboarding. The Soma Splash Aqua Park for families.

Go-Karting

The Soma Bay go-kart track is one of the better-equipped in the Red Sea resorts, a proper circuit open to guests across the peninsula. Good for families and an easy afternoon activity between beach sessions.

Paintball

Full paintball facility on the peninsula: team scenarios with equipment hire included. Popular with groups and a reliable option when the wind drops and the kite beach is quiet.

Horse Riding

Horseback rides along the beach at sunset, a Soma Bay classic. Desert mountains, golden sand and the Red Sea at golden hour.

Spa & Thalassotherapy

The Cascades Thalasso is consistently rated the best thalassotherapy spa in Africa: seawater treatments, hammam, flotation and a full wellness programme.

Triathlon & Endurance

Soma Bay hosts the IRONMAN 70.3 Egypt and the Trifactory Endurance Festival, two of the most significant triathlon events on the African calendar. The peninsula's combination of open water, road and running terrain makes it a natural endurance venue.

Getting There

How to reach Soma Bay

Nearest Airport
Hurghada International (HRG)
Transfer Time
45 minutes by road
Direct Flights
London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Vienna & more
From Cairo
5–6 hours by car via Sokhna Road

All resorts offer airport transfer from Hurghada. Book in advance through your hotel. Taxis are also available from outside the terminal. The peninsula is gated; if arriving independently, give the name of your hotel at the entrance. Hurghada has direct scheduled and charter flights from across Europe year-round.

Continue Reading

Keep reading, and open the whole Atlas.

A free account unlocks every dive site guide and map, the marine life library, member reports, and the full incident log. Free to join, always.

Join free to keep reading
Already a member? Sign in
Quick Facts
LocationRas Abu Soma, Red Sea
Distance45 min from Hurghada
Coastline11km
Hotels6 (3× five-star)
Best timeSep, Apr
Water temp22°C–28°C
DivingHouse reef + boat
Golf18-hole Gary Player
More from Soma Bay
Soma Bay 1
Soma Bay 2
Soma Bay 3
Soma Bay 4