Kitesurf at Safaga, Soma Bay

Steady winds all year round

  • Overview
  • Good to know
  • Getting there

Overview

Egypt is a birthplace of ancient civilisations and worlds most talked monuments. It is also a well-known destination for year-round sunshine, mild temperatures and steady wind. Soma Bay is a unique resort community in the Red Sea coast, 45 km South of Hurghada, providing 5-star service to all water sports enthusiasts. The bay is split into two areas, Abu Soma (south side of the bay) and Soma Bay (in the North). North side of the bay is a peninsula surrounded by water on all sides and can only be accessed by a private 7km long road. It offers multiple hotels, golf course, kite centre, dive centre, spa and thalasso centres combined in one big hotel complex. The five resorts are Kempinski, Sheraton, Robinson Club, The Cascades and The Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge; also an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course. South side of the bay consists of multiple separate hotel complexes that provide kilometres of private beach spaces, watersports and dive centres, and private marinas for their visitors. Both locations have great hotel/accommodation offers with easy access to the water and fully available amenities for beginner and advanced kiters. Also, it is one of the safest locations for those travelling alone or with a family. Due to its unique position, this lagoon offers 80-90% chance of kiteable wind all your round. If you happen to experience a day or two of lighter wind you will have plenty to explore. Red Sea coast around Safaga, is very well known as a diving paradise, offering crystal clear water and amazing Coral reef sanctuaries and smaller ‘house’ reefs closer to the beach. Additionally, if you are more into history and monuments, there are a variety of excursions and tours organised daily to locations like Luxor (240km away).

Good to know

VISAS: 30-day travel visa can be obtained at the airport, costs €25. Contact an Egyptian embassy or consulate before travel for more details. More information can be found in this guide. CURRENCY: Egyptian Pound [EGP], EUR or USD PRICES: Beer: €1-2 Food: Lunch €3-8 Accommodation: €20-100 pp Kite Lessons: 6H €260 Kite Gear rental: €45 for 3H LANGUAGE: Egyptian Arabic INTERNET: Most hotels and villas provide free WiFi, for better internet connection or a longer stay, buying Local SIM card is recommended. TRAVEL ADVICE: Super safe location with fully inclusive luxurious hotels for fractions of the costs. Perfect for travelling with a family and for those wanting to kitesurf every day all day long. Check this Lonely Planet guide for detailed health and insurance advise while traveling to Egypt. TEMPERATURE: Water temperatures never go beyond 20°C / 68°F in the winter and can reach up to 28°C / 82°F in the summer. So shorty or sun protection is a must, and a light wetsuit is required windy days in the winter months. The air temperature can reach 32°C / 86°F and more in the summer months and can drop to 24°C / 75°F in winter. There is plenty of sunshine all year round, and the weather is warm, but a sweater and a pair of jeans will come in handy after sunset.

Getting there

NEAREST TOWN: Safaga NEAREST CITY: Hurghada NEAREST AIRPORT: Hurghada International Airport [HRG] is about 45km/50min away If you fly to Hurghada airport you will need to take a taxi to Soma Bay, ask your accommodation provider to organise a reputable transfer. Or if you are planning to explore the Red Sea coast, then rent a car from the airport. GETTING AROUND: There are free shuttle buses operating around Soma Bay (North) every 30 minutes, and it goes around all the main hotels operating within the peninsula. Other accommodations are a 20-minute walk away or you can always request a transfer taxi from any hotel.

  • Beach
  • Wind
  • Rules/Hazards

Beach

Soma Bay is a vast shallow water lagoon stretching for miles till the end of the reef, where it dives to the deep blue sea. Crystal clear water, sandy beaches, virtually no hazards and steady winds - fantastic conditions for any water-sports lover. This area is well known for the steady and consistent cross-shore - to cross offshore winds dependant on which area of the lagoon you are based on. Due to the wind direction, all of the kite schools offer a compulsory rescue service at additional costs, and that also includes the use of the facilities/storage, beach assistance and offer for a boat trip to the Utopia (Tobia) Island (sandbar). Many schools also offer different downwinders and kite safaris for the more advanced riders. AMENITIES: Kite School, Gear Rental; Rescue boat, Beach Assistance, Gear Storage, Kite Shop, Kite/Gear Repair, Toilets, Shower, Parking, Cafe/Bar, Accommodation.

Wind

Because of the topography of the area, the prevailing Northwesterly wind from the Mediterranean Sea (Mistral) continuously blows over the northern Egyptian coast, accelerating even more over the deserted mountainous landscape. There are winds all year round, with some of the most consistent forecasts in the summer months. Because of the unique position and accelerating winds, Soma Bay always enjoy at least 5 knots more or wind than the neighbouring spots. In the summer months, from May to October, the average wind speed is around 22 knots, increasing to 25-30 knots in the afternoons (especially in September). The most used kites 7-12m. For November to April, the winds are less reliable, nevertheless still windy for at least 3-4 days a week. To make sure that the time of the water is extended, we recommend bringing some larger size kites or go Hydrofoiling. WIND DIRECTIONS: NW WINDIEST MONTHS: High Season - May, June, July, August, September, October. Mid Season - March, April, November

Rules/Hazards

There are no such rules, just a common sense - the beach area is relatively large, sandy beach, but it can get crowded at certain times of the year; therefore, the usual precautions when launching and landing the kite should be considered. Due to shallow water spots, every Kite School has their dedicated teaching area, which you will be asked to stay away from if you are an advanced rider. Additionally, because of the prevailing off-shore wind direction safety/transfer boat service is mandatory. *If you need kite related service like kite repairs, lessons or beach assistance please contact with the local kite centre or camp. ** We always recommend seeking additional knowledge about the spot from local kite school and qualified instructors locally.

Info

Rider Level:
beginner, intermediate, advanced
Discipline:
freeride, foiling
Spot Type:
Flatwater; Choppy; Lagoon; Open water.
Launch area:
Sand
Tidal:
no
Windiest Months:
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov,

Around Safaga, Soma Bay

Things to do

Register today!
Be the first business here!

The reviews say it all

spot reviews

Warm flat water

Safaga, Soma Bay, Egypt

It's a great spot. Warm flat water good for hydrofoil, freestyle and learning. Hotels provide lots of comfort and other activities. Beware of the shallow coral !

Rating Summary

Overall Rating
Beginner Friendly
Wind quality
Non-kiting activities
Nightlife