Explore Soma Bay

Soma Bay, located on a scenic peninsula surrounded by the Red Sea in Egypt, offers a distinctive diving experience. Just 45 kilometers south of Hurghada, this luxurious destination is known for its stunning sandy beaches and azure waters set against the dramatic backdrop of desert mountains. Underwater, divers are greeted by mesmerizing spectacles, with vibrant coral reefs teeming with life. The house reefs here stretch for several kilometers, providing ample opportunities for both beginners and seasoned divers to explore a variety of dive environments.

Dive sites in Soma Bay, such as Panorama, Abu Kafan, and Shaab Sheer East, are renowned for their large coral pinnacles and abundant marine life. Visitors are often captivated by the graceful movements of eagle rays, the imposing presence of napoleon fish, and the fascinating potato cods. For those seeking adventure, the Salem Express Wreck offers a unique glimpse into history beneath the waves. Whether diving from shore, by boat, or on a liveaboard, Soma Bay promises an unforgettable underwater journey through Egypt's rich marine ecosystem, making it a must-visit for diving enthusiasts.

Upcoming Events

    • Dive Activity

    Diving in Soma Bay

    Due to the easy access, sandy, shore dive sites and the bay-like protected dive sites this is a perfect area for beginners and dive courses. The lagoon at Ras Abu Soma is the perfect sheltered dive area for dive courses to take place. It may not be the top destination for tec divers wanting to dive deep, but it is a dive destination where divers will be constantly entranced by the colours and life which this part of the Red Sea offers. Aside from the beginner courses, and if divers want to specifically visit the shore sites, the rest of the diving is done mostly from boats as the main dive sites are located approximately 10 minutes from the harbour.

    Topm Wildlife Sightings in Soma Bay

    Soma Bay, located along the Red Sea coast, is renowned for its vibrant marine life and pristine coral reefs. Among the common reef fish that divers can expect to encounter are the colorful Napoleon Wrasse and the elusive Lion Fish. Moray Eels, with their snake-like appearance, are often spotted hiding in crevices, while the Blue Spotted Rays gracefully glide over the sandy seabed.

    Seasonally, Soma Bay offers the chance to see larger marine animals. Barracuda and Stonefish are present year-round, but divers may occasionally spot Sea Turtles swimming leisurely through the waters. Eagle Rays are a special treat, often seen in groups during certain times of the year. The rich biodiversity makes Soma Bay a must-visit for marine enthusiasts seeking both common and rare underwater encounters.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    5.8k Sightings
    J
    153
    F
    191
    M
    245
    A
    508
    M
    486
    J
    501
    J
    483
    A
    579
    S
    814
    O
    876
    N
    571
    D
    371
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    1.6k Sightings
    J
    73
    F
    59
    M
    104
    A
    154
    M
    116
    J
    91
    J
    109
    A
    185
    S
    213
    O
    260
    N
    141
    D
    127

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    1.5k Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    16
    M
    72
    A
    180
    M
    246
    J
    176
    J
    132
    A
    125
    S
    146
    O
    167
    N
    127
    D
    88

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    iStock/Juliosanjuan
    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray
    1.2k Sightings
    J
    27
    F
    28
    M
    32
    A
    61
    M
    52
    J
    80
    J
    140
    A
    166
    S
    170
    O
    237
    N
    116
    D
    89

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    56
    F
    28
    M
    46
    A
    103
    M
    112
    J
    70
    J
    71
    A
    74
    S
    170
    O
    160
    N
    125
    D
    88

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    710 Sightings
    J
    31
    F
    11
    M
    12
    A
    13
    M
    25
    J
    48
    J
    45
    A
    98
    S
    134
    O
    119
    N
    117
    D
    57

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    5.5k Sightings
    J
    198
    F
    200
    M
    279
    A
    463
    M
    436
    J
    446
    J
    445
    A
    524
    S
    741
    O
    846
    N
    500
    D
    409

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    4.7k Sightings
    J
    162
    F
    149
    M
    273
    A
    477
    M
    413
    J
    366
    J
    352
    A
    428
    S
    559
    O
    692
    N
    489
    D
    326

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    4.4k Sightings
    J
    177
    F
    152
    M
    216
    A
    415
    M
    369
    J
    342
    J
    370
    A
    412
    S
    552
    O
    701
    N
    365
    D
    306

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    3.9k Sightings
    J
    159
    F
    155
    M
    192
    A
    359
    M
    332
    J
    284
    J
    307
    A
    351
    S
    526
    O
    613
    N
    362
    D
    258
    Show More

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    3.8k Sightings
    J
    153
    F
    120
    M
    174
    A
    335
    M
    315
    J
    296
    J
    335
    A
    375
    S
    494
    O
    587
    N
    359
    D
    253

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    3.4k Sightings
    J
    146
    F
    127
    M
    159
    A
    336
    M
    272
    J
    274
    J
    248
    A
    315
    S
    468
    O
    574
    N
    304
    D
    208

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    3.1k Sightings
    J
    141
    F
    124
    M
    185
    A
    260
    M
    281
    J
    217
    J
    273
    A
    262
    S
    400
    O
    485
    N
    277
    D
    231

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    3k Sightings
    J
    117
    F
    95
    M
    135
    A
    261
    M
    245
    J
    253
    J
    221
    A
    275
    S
    438
    O
    451
    N
    271
    D
    198

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    2.7k Sightings
    J
    119
    F
    100
    M
    133
    A
    264
    M
    230
    J
    241
    J
    222
    A
    246
    S
    328
    O
    442
    N
    233
    D
    179

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    2.6k Sightings
    J
    103
    F
    75
    M
    139
    A
    251
    M
    206
    J
    181
    J
    243
    A
    235
    S
    305
    O
    421
    N
    240
    D
    189

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    1.9k Sightings
    J
    80
    F
    70
    M
    95
    A
    172
    M
    187
    J
    136
    J
    140
    A
    150
    S
    256
    O
    305
    N
    183
    D
    138

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    1.7k Sightings
    J
    33
    F
    36
    M
    37
    A
    134
    M
    213
    J
    237
    J
    155
    A
    160
    S
    261
    O
    226
    N
    134
    D
    91

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    1.7k Sightings
    J
    62
    F
    58
    M
    86
    A
    150
    M
    106
    J
    149
    J
    127
    A
    152
    S
    226
    O
    296
    N
    136
    D
    117

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    1.5k Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    47
    M
    51
    A
    148
    M
    130
    J
    102
    J
    119
    A
    180
    S
    249
    O
    226
    N
    142
    D
    68

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    1.5k Sightings
    J
    55
    F
    55
    M
    78
    A
    148
    M
    120
    J
    135
    J
    106
    A
    126
    S
    222
    O
    216
    N
    121
    D
    97

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    SSI-Peter-Schinck
    Stonefish

    Stonefish
    1.4k Sightings
    J
    26
    F
    24
    M
    63
    A
    160
    M
    156
    J
    123
    J
    88
    A
    151
    S
    182
    O
    234
    N
    153
    D
    83

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    1.4k Sightings
    J
    50
    F
    23
    M
    62
    A
    136
    M
    124
    J
    106
    J
    127
    A
    120
    S
    219
    O
    231
    N
    124
    D
    89

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    31
    F
    45
    M
    45
    A
    124
    M
    104
    J
    77
    J
    59
    A
    77
    S
    172
    O
    187
    N
    108
    D
    97

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    47
    F
    11
    M
    29
    A
    61
    M
    91
    J
    93
    J
    105
    A
    93
    S
    179
    O
    184
    N
    95
    D
    107

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    872 Sightings
    J
    37
    F
    13
    M
    38
    A
    73
    M
    55
    J
    97
    J
    53
    A
    77
    S
    145
    O
    151
    N
    101
    D
    32

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    842 Sightings
    J
    23
    F
    41
    M
    35
    A
    48
    M
    71
    J
    101
    J
    64
    A
    100
    S
    114
    O
    138
    N
    68
    D
    39

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    615 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    10
    M
    0
    A
    50
    M
    35
    J
    72
    J
    57
    A
    50
    S
    141
    O
    94
    N
    52
    D
    41

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    iStock-stephankerkhofs
    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish
    547 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    13
    A
    22
    M
    43
    J
    51
    J
    52
    A
    56
    S
    133
    O
    129
    N
    35
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
    Tuna

    Tuna
    465 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    0
    M
    10
    A
    29
    M
    35
    J
    30
    J
    11
    A
    36
    S
    61
    O
    107
    N
    63
    D
    69

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    451 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    23
    M
    0
    A
    44
    M
    13
    J
    15
    J
    44
    A
    13
    S
    120
    O
    101
    N
    52
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder
    Garfish

    Garfish
    420 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    46
    M
    33
    J
    38
    J
    25
    A
    32
    S
    65
    O
    105
    N
    36
    D
    30

    The best Months to dive in Soma Bay

    Soma Bay offers excellent diving conditions throughout the year, thanks to the stable environment of the Red Sea. Water temperatures vary from 21°C/70°F in February to 27°C/81°F in August, ensuring comfortable dives year-round. Visibility is typically above average, ranging from 12 to 22 meters/39 to 72 feet, and can exceed 30 meters/98 feet on particularly clear days.

    Diving is possible all year, although divers should be aware of seasonal weather factors. Wind and currents can occasionally affect diving conditions, particularly during the winter months when winds are stronger, leading to choppier surface conditions. However, these factors are generally manageable, allowing divers to enjoy the rich marine life and coral reefs of Soma Bay throughout the year.

    Dive Centers

    ORCA DIVE CLUB SOMA BAY

    ORCA DIVE CLUB SOMA BAY

    The Breakers Hotel, 19411 Soma Bay, Egypt
    Club Ras Soma Diving Center

    Club Ras Soma Diving Center

    Soma Bay, Km 48, Safaga Road, P.O.Box 149, 84711 Hurghada, Egypt

    Dive Sites

    Stephan M. (#1651629)
    Tobia Arbaa <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Tobia Arbaa (★4.5)

    Tobia Arbaa is a popular dive site near Safaga and can be reached by speedboat or daily boat tour. The dive site contains five main pinnacles on a shallow sandy bottom and is suitable for entry level and advanced divers alike.
    Marcel P. (#4801450)
    Tobia Hamra <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Tobia Hamra (★4.4)

    With a depth of 5-40m this site has something for everyone. It is also very nice for snorkelers. Navigation to the boat can sometimes be a bit difficult because it is located in the middle of the coral garden.
    Centrum Nurkowe Aqarium, 78-100 Kołobrzeg
    Abu Soma Garden <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Abu Soma Garden (★4.4)

    This dive site is shallow to over 30m with little current, therefore, it is suitable for beginner divers. Because the coral garden is shallow, it is also a very nice place for snorkeling.
    Eduardo M. (#3068167)
    Ras Abu Soma <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Ras Abu Soma (★4.4)

    The Somabay headland forms the northern end of Safaga Bay. The “Ras“ (head), is a steep wall that ends in the south on a 25m deep plateau, main current direction is coming from the north. On the plateau you can find ancient table corals up to 4m in size, and a steep wall.
    Aqualung
    The Breakers House Reef South, Soma Bay <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    The Breakers House Reef South, Soma Bay (★4.4)

    Housereef, directly in front of the dive center, very easy to reach with shuttle and great helpful staff. A little windy and also swell belong here with changing currents.
    Mares
    Robinson Club Soma Bay House Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

    Robinson Club Soma Bay House Reef (★4.2)

    Entrance: beach/ shore, depth up to 12m, after approx. 180m relaxed from the beach, well suited for Scuba Skills Updates and Try Scuba.
    Mares
    Robinson Club Soma Bay Pool <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★3.9)</span>

    Robinson Club Soma Bay Pool (★3.9)

    Suitable for the first dives of a beginner course and Try Scuba, partly also in use of swimmers and aqua courses, maximum depth 1.60m.
    Mares
    Ras Abu Soma Drift <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

    Ras Abu Soma Drift (★4.4)

    Ras Abu Soma is a drift dive site near Safaga featuring an elongated reef with steep drop-offs and coral formations. The dive is usually conducted as a drift along the reef. Often moderate to strong currents.