Soma Bay Travel Guide: Beaches, House Reef, Golf & Spa on Egypt’s Red Sea

The Ultimate Guide to Soma Bay: What Makes It Egypt’s Hidden Gem

If you’re looking for a Red Sea destination with world-class reefs, soft sandy beaches, golf on the cliffs and serious spa time, Soma Bay quietly ticks every box.

Where Is Soma Bay?

Soma Bay is a self-contained resort peninsula on Egypt’s Red Sea Riviera, about 45–50 minutes south of Hurghada International Airport (around 45 km).

It sits on the Ras Abu Soma peninsula, surrounded on three sides by the Red Sea with a backdrop of rugged desert mountains.

That geography is the secret to Soma Bay’s mix of:

open-sea reef walls on one side (diving and snorkelling heaven)

a calm, shallow bay on the other (perfect for swimming, families and kitesurfing)

Soma Bay’s House Reef & Iconic Jetties

Soma Bay is built around one of the lushest and most accessible house reefs in Egypt. Dive centres describe it as a “vibrant underwater paradise” with crystal-clear water, rich coral gardens and frequent sightings of turtles, rays, dolphins and even occasional whale sharks.

Key highlights:

Long main jetty (around 420 m): This famous jetty lets you walk out over the reef to deep, clear water, with dedicated platforms for snorkelling and scuba entry.

Multiple access points / jetties: Between the main house-reef jetty and other resort jetties, guests can enter the reef safely without walking over coral or seagrass flats.

All-day reef access: Many dive operations offer guided and unguided dives on the house reef from early morning to night, plus zodiac drift dives and boat trips to offshore sites.

For travellers, this means you can often snorkel straight from the jetty rather than taking a long boat excursion – a huge advantage over many other Red Sea resorts.

Beaches: Sand, Space and Shallow Lagoons

Unlike some more crowded resorts, Soma Bay is known for wide, uncrowded sandy beaches with clear, shallow water, ideal for paddling and families.

On the bay side, the lagoon stays calm and shallow for a long way out, making it comfortable for less confident swimmers and a dream training ground for water sports. On the open-sea side you get deeper water, reef drop-offs and classic Red Sea blues – great contrast in one compact destination.

World-Class Golf on the Cliffs

Golf is one of Soma Bay’s biggest draws. The Cascades championship golf course, designed by legendary golfer Gary Player, is widely rated as one of the top golf courses in the region.

What makes it special:

18-hole, par-72 championship layout with desert dunes, lagoons and sea views on almost every hole.

At least six holes positioned directly along the dramatic Red Sea coastline, giving you fairways and greens right beside the water and cliffs.

Year-round sunshine and low rainfall, so golf holidays are possible in almost every season.

For serious golfers and beginners alike, Soma Bay offers the rare combo of links-style sea views and a resort environment where non-golfers still have plenty to do.

Tennis Academy & Olympic-Sized Swimming Pool

Soma Bay has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, making it a strong pick for active holidays:

Tennis & racquet sports – Resorts around the peninsula offer multiple courts and coaching, with structured academies and camps hosted through the year.

Olympic-sized swimming pool – The area includes large training-style pools and lap facilities in addition to resort pools, ideal for swimmers and triathletes who want proper distance training, not just a quick dip.

Combine that with diving, kitesurfing and running/cycling routes and it’s easy to build a seriously active week.

Kitesurfing Hotspot

Thanks to its reliable cross-shore winds and shallow sandy lagoons, Soma Bay has become one of the Red Sea’s most popular kitesurfing hubs.

Typical advantages kiters rave about:

Wide, shallow bays with flat water – ideal for beginners and freestyle.

Strong but manageable winds over a long season.

Dedicated kite centres with storage, rescue boats and lessons.

For non-kiters, it’s still fun to watch the colourful kites dotting the lagoon, especially at sunset.

The Marina: Growing Heart of the Peninsula

Soma Bay’s boutique marina is steadily expanding and has become the social heart of the destination:

Modern berths for yachts and sailing boats on the Red Sea.

Waterfront promenade with restaurants, cafés and bars.

Easy docking point for snorkelling, diving and boat excursions.

As more residences and hotels open around the peninsula, the marina area is evolving into a lively evening hub while still feeling small and relaxed compared to big-city resorts.

One of the Largest Thalasso Spas in the Region

Soma Bay is also home to The Cascades Spa & Thalasso, a destination spa that’s frequently described as one of the largest and best-equipped thalasso centres in the Middle East and even the world.

Key features include:

Around 7,500 m² of spa facilities with roughly 65 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy circuits and dedicated thalasso pools using heated seawater.

Signature seawater hydrotherapy pool with different jets and stations targeting circulation, relaxation and muscle recovery.

A full menu of massages, detox programs, wellness retreats and post-sport recovery treatments.

For wellness-focused guests, this spa alone is a reason to choose Soma Bay over other Red Sea destinations.

Why Soma Bay Is Still a “Hidden” Gem

Despite all of the above, Soma Bay remains quieter and more low-key than big names like Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh:

It’s a gated peninsula with access mainly for residents and booked guests, which keeps traffic and noise down.

There’s more focus on space, nature and activities than on nightlife.

You get high-end infrastructure (golf, spa, kite centres, marinas) with a much more relaxed vibe.

For couples, families and sporty travellers who want reef, golf, kitesurfing and spa all in one place, Soma Bay genuinely feels like one of Egypt’s last under-the-radar beach destinations.