The Lure
Soma Bay is known for incredible conditions both on, and below, the water’s surface with amazing diving, sailing and kitesurfing all on offer. The peninsula holds host to some great watersports centres that provide a safe, professional service in a spot that’s far less crowded than what you’ll find in many other destinations. It’s known for steady side shore winds and flat warm water and also boasts the 7BFT KiteHouse with other amenities and a variety of other accommodation options available as well.
The Set-up
There are 2 spots in Soma Bay. The main one is directly in front of the 7BFT KiteHouse with flat water even in stronger winds and side/ side-offshore conditions in the morning that turn to offshore in the late afternoons. This spot is also patrolled by 2 safety boats at all times and is split into two areas; one for teaching and the other for riding – both of which are exclusive to guests of the local hotels. The other spot, on Tobia Island, is only accessible by boat and has been voted one of the best flat-water spots in the world. Both spots are kiteable on any tide and with 1.5 km of rock-free sandy beaches and over 300 days of rideable wind per year it’s quite a solid bet that you’ll get some kiting done during your stay!
Wind, Weather & Water
Aside from the legendary 300 days + of wind per year and butter flat warm water there’s also more or less guaranteed sunshine the year round with reliable, and often pretty strong (up to around 35 knots), winds blowing between March and December that tend to start up at about 8am and last until 3-4 pm daily. Wind is similarly constant in the winter but on 1 or 2 days a week it can be a little lighter. The nearby Red Sea Mountains add a few more knots to the average wind speed due to the cooling of the air around them which cools faster than the air over sea and causes the cool wind to accelerate over the desert into the sea as the warm air rushes towards a cooler area.
Shops & Schools
The 7BFT KiteHouse have operated a school for over 7 years now with experienced VDWS certified instructors teaching in German, English, Italian and Arabic and all levels being catered for. There is comprehensive safety boat cover at all times in a totally private teaching area and groups are never larger than 4 students with one instructor. The centre is open all year with Core Kites, Carved and Best equipment also available for rent and they even offer ‘simulated kiteboarding’ which is a unique method of teaching you the water start from behind a wakeboat if the wind doesn’t show.
7BFT KiteHouse
www.kitehouse-somabay.com / 7bft@somabay.com / +20 100 844 85 34
The Breakers
www.thebreakers-somabay.com / info@thebreakers-somabay.com / +20 65 356 28 41
TRAVEL AGENTS
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com / info@planettravelholidays.com / +44 (0)1273 921 001
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel / info@sportif.travel / +44 (0)1273 844 919
Accommodation
There are 5 hotels in Soma Bay.
The Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge – 4 stars A unique water sports lifestyle hotel situated on the beautiful Soma Bay peninsula on the Red Sea Coast of Egypt.
www.thebreakers-somabay.com
info@thebreakers-somabay.com
+20 65 356 28 41
The Westin (former La Residence de Cascades) – 5 stars
Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay – 5 stars
Sheraton Hotel Soma Bay – 5 stars
Robinson Club Soma Bay – 5 stars
TRAVEL AGENTS
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com / info@planettravelholidays.com / +44 (0)1273 921 001
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel / info@sportif.travel / +44 (0)1273 844 919
No Wind
There’s plenty to do in Soma Bay should the wind fail to show (which is unlikely) with SUP rental and wake boarding / wakesurfing on offer at the 7BFT KiteHouse as well as beach volleyball, soccer, slack lining and a panoramic rooftop chill out area with views of the bay. The Breakers has a Yoga Area and yoga lessons 5-6 days a week along with snorkelling and diving at an incredible reef thanks to the ORCA Dive Center situated within the hotel. They also do an open air cinema twice a week which is pretty unique! Within Soma Bay there are also tennis /squash courts and a golf course. If you want to check out the surrounding area then Safaga is a 15km / 20 minute taxi ride away and Hurghada is about 45 km /50 minutes as well. Shopping opportunities are pretty limited but you can find most things you’ll need with a small supermarket and pharmacy and several small shops around the marina.
Get Around
There are free shuttle buses operating around Soma Bay and the same service runs every 30 minutes between the main hotels and the 7Bft Kite House as well and takes about 10 minutes door to door.
Currency
£1 GBP = LE 12.50 / $1 USD – LE 9
Food and Drink
Nightlife is pretty limited in Soma Bay but each hotel has its own restaurant as does the Soma Bay marina and a ‘Dine Around Voucher’ can be purchased in the hotels allowing you to eat in any of them during your stay with a surcharge depending on your booked hotel.
Airport
The nearest airport is Hurghada International Airport (HRG) which is about 45 km / 50 minutes from Soma Bay. Private transfers can be arranged for Euro 15 per person with a minimum of two passengers per journey - €30 incase of single traveller.
TRAVEL AGENTS
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com / info@planettravelholidays.com / +44 (0)1273 921 001
