Best Things to Do in Soma Bay

Discover Soma Bay's enchanting marine life with snorkeling & diving, explore the Eastern Sahara on a thrilling desert safari, shop for traditional Egyptian crafts, and embark on historical excursions to Luxor and Cairo. Experience the magic of the Nile with a luxurious river cruise.

Written by ETP TEAM

Published Oct 20, 2020 Updated Feb 19, 2024 8 min read

Summary

Soma Bay is renowned for its rich marine beauty, offering a range of water activities such as snorkeling and diving, with locations like Giftun Island and Abu Soma Garden showcasing rare sea creatures and vibrant coral reefs.
Beyond the sea, Soma Bay offers thrilling desert safari excursions in the Eastern Sahara, including quad biking, sandboarding, and cultural experiences with the Bedouin tribes, providing a glimpse into the desert's wild beauty and cultural heritage.
The area is a shopper's paradise, with a variety of shops and markets offering traditional Egyptian crafts, jewelry, textiles, and spices, reflecting the rich cultural legacy of ancient Egypt.
Soma Bay serves as a gateway to exploring Egypt's historical treasures in Luxor and Cairo, with tours to ancient temples, the Valley of the Kings, and the Giza Pyramids, offering insights into the country's ancient civilizations.
A luxury Nile cruise from Soma Bay to Upper Egypt, including stops at significant archaeological sites in Luxor and Aswan, offers a unique perspective on Egypt's historical heritage, combining relaxation with cultural exploration.

Things to do in Soma Bay is the most entertaining way to fully explore the natural beauty of the Red Sea. The goal of this article is to offer every traveler all the details about the best things to do in Soma Bay. This article was written by a group of a very skilled team of tour operators, tour guides, and travel consultants who know all the best things to do in Soma Bay. One of the most remarkable destinations to explore in Egypt is Soma Bay, where the greatest example of natural marine beauty and entertaining aquatic activities is present for you at any time of your disposal.

Soma Bay is 45 KM south of Hurghada International Airport and has an awesome collection of high-class hotels offering a window to witness the most enchanting gathering of marine beauty. The number of things you can do in Soma Bay is infinite, from simple entertaining pleasures in the city resort to a full-out adventure across the Red Sea or the eastern Sahara.

1. Snorkeling Excursion in Soma Bay

soma bay snorkeling - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

Snorkeling in Soma Bay is like catching a glimpse into the hidden paradise beneath the Red Sea, where some of the rarest sea creatures like angelfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish, as well as stunning colorful coral formations that put in a state of amazement due to the level of rich underwater life. The calm waters and the delightful weather of the area make it an awesome place to live the ultimate tropical adventure. The best place for snorkeling in Soma Bay is Giftun, as it holds the finest offshore reefs, which will make your snorkeling experience truly magical and worthy of remembering forever.

Around Soma Bay near the mesmerizing city of Safaga are a number of majestic snorkeling spots which are Abu Soma Garden are Known for its beautiful coral gardens and an array of fish species. Tobia Arbaa, which contains a mix of coral gardens and fascinating underwater formations, and Shaab Saiman, which is loaded with a variety of fish and sometimes even encounters with turtles. A snorkeling trip in Soma Bay promises the sight of a living miracle and hidden aquatic worlds loaded with different kinds of beauty.

2. Diving Excursion in Soma Bay

soma bay diving - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

Diving excursions in Soma Bay waters are a portal to a new reality consisting of a harmonious ecosystem filled with incredible fish, up to 1200 sea creatures, and more than 200 types of soft and hard coral reefs. There are a lot of amazing places in Soma Bay where you can enjoy your diving experience to the highest level, such as the Abu Soma Garden, Tobia Hamra, Panorama Reef, Tobia Arbaa, Shabb Saiman, Eas Abu Soma, and the orca dive club which will prepare you with the necessary training and preparation for the diving experience.

Throughout the year, the temperature of the water is between 22-28°C (72-82°F), which makes it ideal for diving. While diving in these ethereal areas, everyone will get to encounter a diverse range of marine creatures, from small colorful fish to larger species like turtles and dolphins, plus some of the most vibrant coral reefs, thus providing a true magical diving experience that will blow the curtain off this majestic underground world.

3. Safari Excursion in Soma Bay

soma bay safari tours - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

A safari excursion in Soma Bay is a legendary opportunity to witness the full wild beauty of the eastern Sahara and explore the secrets of the desert in a magical, thrilling manner, plus the colossal mountains and the honorable Bedouin culture. You will watch the sun and the stars covering you with a majestic aura of wonder and excitement and enter the home of the Bedouin tribe, taste their delicious cuisines & drinks, and watch all the elements that make their culture unique.

On your trip across Soma Bay, every adventure seeker will get to enjoy a wide collection of very entertaining and thrilling activities like Quad Biking and Sandboarding across the epic sand dunes, plus stargazing across the breathtaking night sky away from city lights where the magic of the universe come to life in the most hypnotic manner.

4. Shopping Tours in Soma Bay

shopping in soma bay - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

Soma Bay has everything you desire, plus some incredible, never-before-seen materials from the home of the ancient Egyptian culture, which was created to immortalize the legacy of this everlasting civilization. Soma Bay is filled with a number of shops and huge marketplaces filled with everything you could ever imagine.

This city resort offers the chance to enjoy the most epic and enriching shopping tours where a wide collection of boutiques and souks that provide the most amazing group of handmade crafts, jewelry, textiles, and traditional items like rugs, pottery, embroidered textiles, spices, herbs, and local perfumes that showcase the area's scents and flavors. Soma Bay has all the spots, malls, and markets to live a very entertaining and memorable shopping tour, so make sure to take part in the magical environment of the Red Sea.

5. Explore Outdoor Activities at Luxor

hatshepsut temple - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

Soma Bay holds a magical pathway to the city of a hundred gates Luxor, the city of kings, queens, and celestial, was created for the sole purpose of immortalizing their legacy and massive heritage across a series of colossal monuments such as the beautiful Hatshepsut temple, the portal to the afterlife valley of the kings, the greatest open museum ever created the Karnak temple complex, the enchanting Luxor temple, Abydos Temple, and many more glorious and hidden wonders.

From Soma Bay, everyone will get to explore the majestic and heavenly treasures of Thebes on the clearest day and learn about the intricate and mesmerizing facts and tales about the ancient Egyptians more than 3500 years ago. By exploring the archaeological gems of Luxor, the memories of a lifetime will be created, containing the essence of the allure and grandeur of this celestial culture that stood against the face of oblivion and inspired the world for endless generations.

6. Discover What Cairo has to Offer

giza pyramids - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

Cairo is Egypt's beating heart and beautiful soul and by far the center of life and culture, so don't miss it by any chance. The golden city of Cairo will open the door to a wide collection of highly entertaining and exciting activities that will make each second very epic, like discovering the history, culture, art, and marvelous souvenirs found all over the streets of Egypt.

A Cairo, two days tour is what you need to complete your Soma Bay tropical vacation as it truly has a number of historical immortal attractions across more than 4500 years, from Pharaonic to Coptic to Islamic, like the Giza pyramids complex, the sphinx, the Egyptian museum, the Gem Museum, the Hanging Church, the Cairo citadel, the Khan el Khalili bazaar, Amr Ibn Al-As Mosque, Al Azher Mosque, Al Muizz Street, Ibn Tulun Mosque, Hanging Church, and more. Every single second spent in Cairo will transform into one of the most incredible memories, filled with the sight of a mixture of great works of art that come in every shape, size, and historical & cultural background that date to thousands and hundreds of years ago

7. Visit Aswan, the Nubian City, from Soma Bay

nubina village - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

At the end of the southern border of Egypt lies a colorful gem waiting to be explored, thus containing an ancient history, tradition, and art forms that have survived since 2000 BC to a group of people who have mastered the art of simplicity in every aspect of their life. The transformation from the tropical beauty of Soma Bay to the archaeological & rich culture of Egypt will be an epic adventure that combines the essence of lower Egypt and deep southern Egypt in the most incredible fashion.

In the Nubian village of Aswan, there are a number of unique, colorful drawings, handmade crafts, and natural jewelry, plus a number of ancient Egyptian artifacts inside the Nubian Museum. Aswan will show a different side of Egypt, totally basked in pure magic, bliss, and total majesty, where every passing second will be a cherished memory.

8. Experience the Nile River Cruise in 5 Days from Soma Bay

nile river cruise - things to do in soma bay - egypt tours portal

The Nile cruise is like a luxury hotel sailing across paradise, offering a chance not to be missed, where every traveler will enjoy the most incredible services on the soulful Nile River, where everyone will explore the majestic wealth of Upper Egypt that flows from the banks of the Nile River. The beauty of the historical heritage of Egypt is better explored through a mesmerizing five days classical Nile river cruise across the two mythical cities of Luxor and Aswan, where the finest examples of ancient Egyptian culture and architecture are witnessed, like the valley of the kings, Hatshepsut temple, the Karnak temple, Kom Ombo temple, Edfu temple, the Philae temple, Aswan high dam, Abu Simbel Temple, and many more. By simply being on a Nile river cruise, everyone will get to make some truly epic memories that combine the allure of the Nile River with the grandeur of Upper Egypt from the amazing shores of Soma Bay.

Book Your Soma Bay Excursion with Us

Soma Bay is a legendary wonderland that has everything a true traveler could dream of or explore. Don't miss our Soma Bay excursions to witness wonders and have some epic fun that creates some precious memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. So book your ticket to paradise and have the best time of your life.

Tags: Things to do Egypt Travel Blog

ETP TEAM

Egypt Tours Portal is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history, culture, and mysteries of ancient Egypt, helping travelers and history enthusiasts explore Egypt’s most iconic destinations and monuments. The team consists of experienced Egyptologists, archaeologists, historians, travelers, content creators, marketers, consultants, and explorers with 5–20 years of expertise in their respective fields.

The website provides accurate, regularly updated information developed by qualified experts and supported by trusted sources to ensure reliability and educational value. Drawing on more than 39 years of industry knowledge and resources, Egypt Tours Portal offers a wide range of travel services, including Egypt tours, Nile cruises, day tours, shore excursions and multi-country tours. Their services have earned positive reviews from travelers, recognition through awards, and mentions by respected news outlets and travel blogs, delivering both educational and memorable travel experiences across Egypt.

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Erin W

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

"We had a great experience touring Aswan, Edfu, and Luxor with Mahmoud. I would highly recommend him as a guide. He adapted to our needs (2 teenagers) and kept everything interesting. He was always prompt, professional, and easy to communicate with. He was also very prompt answering questions via WhatsApp"

Estelle V

"We would like to share our wonderful experience with Egypt Tours Portal. From the very first quote to our final airport drop-off, we were impressed by the professionalism, organization, and excellent communication from Walaa and the entire team. Our tour guides in both Luxor (“Habibi” was the best!) and Cairo were incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and passionate about sharing Egypt’s history and treasures with us. We especially appreciated how thoughtfully the itinerary was planned — allowing us time to rest in the afternoons, scheduling visits during the cooler hours, and remaining flexible to accommodate our needs. Everything was smooth, well-organized, and made our trip truly memorable. We wholeheartedly recommend Egypt Tours Portal to anyone looking to discover the incredible history, culture, and wonders Egypt has to offer."

Tim K

"We had an outstanding time touring Luxor with our guide, Essra. She was knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly kind throughout the entire experience. Her explanations of Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon brought Egypt's history to life. What really set her apart was her thoughtfulness. She made sure we stayed comfortable in the heat, surprising us with water and refreshments. She also took us to an excellent local restaurant that we never would have found on our own. Her attention to detail, genuine care, and passion for sharing Egypt made this one of the highlights of our trip. We highly recommend her to anyone visiting Luxor. On another note, the drivers we had each day were great. So professional, always on time and personable."

Will S

Bluff Park, Alabama

"We had a great vacation. Omar Haridi did our Nile Cruise and Zizi did our Cairo tour. They were amazing and very knowledgeable."

Mira F

"The best experience of my lifetime! Nour, the tour guide was absolutely amazing! Went over and beyond thinking about every little thing. I had a mishap and Egypt Air overbooked my flight and bumped me to a later flight causing me to miss an entire day of activities. Nour made sure I got to do every single thing I missed that first day. But that’s not all: his knowledge of old Egypt is unparalleled, he truly brings Egypt (Aswan Luxor) alive. I’ve traveled all over the world and met many tour guides: Nour stands apart from all of them. He’s also considerate, caring and genuinely wants his guests to enjoy the trip and learn the most about the incredible history of Egypt. He’s also funny and genuinely great to be around. Please, do yourself a favor when booking a trip in Upper Egypt and ask for Nour. Hands down the best guide ever!"

Paul B

Hook, United Kingdom

"Excellent guide Mr Mohamed Osman, who was incredibly knowledgeable and very informative. Couldn't ask for more. Food on day 1 was ok, but much better at lunch on day 2. Hotel was excellent. Also our driver was excellent. All in all a great experience. Would highly recommend."

Marianna A

"Our experience in Egypt, especially in Luxor and Aswan, was truly unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to our incredible guide Omar. We cannot recommend him highly enough. From the moment we met him, it was clear that he was exceptionally knowledgeable, professional, and deeply passionate about Egyptian history and culture. What made our tour extraordinary was that our guide is not only a master’s in Egyptology but is also currently pursuing a PhD in Egyptology. His depth of knowledge was absolutely remarkable. He is also very creative and artistic. Every temple, tomb, monument, and historical site came alive through his explanations. He did not simply recite facts, he explained the historical context, symbolism, religious beliefs, architecture, and fascinating stories behind everything we saw. It truly felt like we were traveling through ancient Egypt with a real scholar and expert by our side. He brought ancient Egyptian history to life by assigning us the roles of Egyptian gods and legendary heroes. Through these interactive mini-plays, we were able to experience, understand, and truly connect with the stories he shared. In Luxor, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple became an unforgettable educational and emotional experience because of the way he explained the history in such an engaging and easy-to-understand manner. In Aswan, his insights about Philae Temple, Nubian history, and ancient Egyptian civilization added so much depth to our trip. He answered every question thoughtfully and with incredible detail, and you could genuinely feel his passion for Egyptology. Beyond his academic expertise, he was one of the kindest and most caring people we met during our travels. He constantly made sure we were comfortable, safe, hydrated, and enjoying ourselves. He was patient, attentive, organized, and always willing to help with anything we needed. His warm personality and kindness made us feel welcomed not just as tourists, but as friends. He also paced the tours perfectly, allowing us enough time to truly appreciate each site without ever feeling rushed. His professionalism, friendliness, and genuine care created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the trip. Thanks to him, our visit to Egypt became far more than a vacation. It became an unforgettable journey into history and culture. If you are planning to visit Luxor, Aswan, or anywhere in Egypt, choosing this guide will be one of the best decisions you can make. He is truly exceptional, and we feel incredibly lucky to have had him as our guide. Thank you again for such an amazing experience. We will never forget it. Marianna and Khris"

James H

"This has been a tour agency and guides I can’t wait to give a glowing review to and to recommend to friends and family. Both Riham and Walid were happy to help coordinate excursions and share a wealth of knowledge. 10/10 experience"

H D

"We had a wonderful experience with the 5 day cruise. The price is wry reasonable. The best part is that the visits are done in very small numbers with a guide. It is almost like having a private guide. The food was good with lots of variety and all the staff members are very friendly and helpful. Omar Haradi, our guide was very knowledgeable and very generous with his time and with sharing his knowledge."

Marlina

West Palm Beach, Florida

"We just returned home from an incredible trip to Egypt, and we cannot say enough good things about Egypt Tours. From the moment we booked our trip until the day we flew home, their communication, organization, and attention to detail were outstanding. Our adventure began in Cairo, where we were warmly welcomed at the airport by our guide, Abdulrahman Mosbah. He immediately made us feel comfortable and at ease, and our Nile River sunset cruise was the perfect introduction to Egypt. Abdul’s warm personality and infectious enthusiasm made our first day both fun and memorable. The following day, we toured with Reda Elgendy, who brought the pyramids to life with fascinating stories and historical insights. Seeing the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) was truly breathtaking and a highlight of our time in Cairo. In Aswan, we were greeted at the airport by Ahmed Haggag, who guided us over the next two days. Ahmed was incredibly knowledgeable, thorough in his explanations, and always kept us entertained with his great sense of humor. We learned so much while enjoying every moment of our time with him. Our final stop was Luxor, where we met Ghada Kamel. Saving the best for last, Ghada was absolutely exceptional. Her passion for Egypt’s history and culture made our visits to the temples and the Valley of the Kings unforgettable. She was engaging, informative, and truly outstanding. This trip exceeded all of our expectations. Not only did we experience some of the world’s most amazing historical sites, but each of our guides also shared valuable insights into Egyptian culture and daily life. We returned home with wonderful memories, a deeper appreciation for Egypt, and gratitude for the amazing team at Egypt Tours. We highly recommend Egypt Tours to anyone planning a trip to Egypt. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!"

Alejandro M

"We loved it, great experience and treatment. Our guide Noah had great knowledge of the subject. Thank you very much."

Jeff T

"Our trip in May 2026 was fantastic! We saw all the major wonders of Egypt! Our incredibly knowledgeable guide Walid Ahmed met us at the hotel and was great at explaining all the particular uniqueness of each tomb and temple, inserting background myths and stories, keeping our tour on track, taking and sharing so many pictures so we could be in them as a couple and helping us navigate local customs. We strongly recommend Egypt, the tour and Walid!"

Joe P

"We had a wonderful week long vacation in Egypt, split between Cairo and Luxor. The tour was very professionally run with excellent communication starting weeks before our arrival and then nearly daily while in Egypt. A highlight was our English-speaking guide in Luxor, Walid Ahmed, who was extremely knowledgeable and exceptionally kind. The tour was flexible and accommodating, allowing last minute special detours and restaurant choices. Overall, it was one of the best vacations of our life."

Damien B

"We had Ahmed Refaat as our family guide in Cairo, and he truly made our trip to Egypt unforgettable. His positive attitude, passion for Egypt’s history and culture, and incredible patience made all the difference throughout our stay in Cairo. Ahmed brought every site to life with fascinating explanations and was always attentive to our needs, making the experience enjoyable for both adults and children. We especially recommend him for visits to Saqqara and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), where his deep knowledge and enthusiasm greatly enhanced our understanding and appreciation of these extraordinary places. Without any hesitation, we highly recommend Ahmed Refaat to anyone visiting Egypt. Thank you again for helping create such wonderful memories for our family!"

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"Knowledgeable guide, clean vehicle, interesting stories about the sites. Tour guide: Muhmmed Abd El-aal was very nice to be in the company of, dry attentive and honest."

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