Soma Bay is a 10-million-square-metre resort peninsula on the Red Sea, built around genuinely distinctive activities rather than just beach access — an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player, a well-regarded dive scene, and one of the region’s most established thalassotherapy centres. It’s worth knowing what’s actually here before you visit, since the peninsula’s appeal goes well beyond the beaches.
Diving and snorkeling
Soma Bay’s calm, clear waters and surrounding coral reefs make it a genuine diving destination, not just an add-on activity. Dive centres on the peninsula offer courses through recognised operators, and the reef sites here see less pressure than some of the more heavily-trafficked spots further up the coast — a real advantage for both beginner training and experienced diving.
Golf
The Cascades Golf Club, designed by professional golfer Gary Player, was the first Gary Player-designed course in the region and has hosted several professional tournaments. The 18-hole course sits on a dramatic stretch of coastline, with several holes running directly along the cliffs above the Red Sea.
Watersports
Soma Bay’s position on the peninsula creates reliable wind conditions that make it a genuine windsurfing and kitesurfing destination, with dedicated schools offering lessons for beginners alongside more advanced coaching for experienced riders.
Thalassotherapy and wellness
Les Thermes Marins de Soma Bay, closely associated with the well-known French thalassotherapy centre Les Thermes Marins de Saint-Malo, offers seawater-based treatments alongside more conventional spa and wellness programmes — one of the more established wellness offerings on the Red Sea coast.
Climate
Soma Bay has a dry desert climate with low humidity. Winter daytime temperatures average around 20°C, while summer highs reach into the low 30s°C — the peninsula’s coastal winds take some of the edge off the summer heat, which is part of what makes it a reliable watersports destination year-round.
Frequently asked questions
Who designed the Soma Bay golf course?
Professional golfer Gary Player designed the Cascades Golf Club, an 18-hole course that was the first of its kind in the region.
Is Soma Bay good for beginner divers?
Yes — the peninsula’s dive centres offer structured courses through recognised operators, and the calmer, less-trafficked reef sites suit both beginner training and experienced diving.
What makes Soma Bay good for windsurfing?
Its position on the peninsula creates reliable, consistent wind conditions, which is why dedicated windsurfing and kitesurfing schools operate there year-round.
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