Kitesurf Holiday

Kite destination · Egypt

Kitesurfing Soma Bay: Spots, Wind and Hotels by the Kite Stations

A wide, shallow bay south of Hurghada with a steady north wind, kite stations from Ras Soma to Abu Soma, and hotels 50 m to 1 km from them.

  • Wind from March to November
  • Sea at 21–28 °C
  • Hotels 50 m to 1 km from a station
  • Hurghada airport about 45 km
Where to stayWind forecast

In short

Soma Bay is a wide bay on the Red Sea coast, about 45 km south of Hurghada airport, closed to the east by the Ras Abu Soma peninsula. A north to north-north-west wind blows on most days from March to November: the ION CLUB station manager puts the average at 22 to 27 knots in summer and 18 to 25 knots in winter, and the lagoons are flat and shallow, good water to learn in. From December to February the wind is less steady and the sea drops to about 21 to 23 °C.

Kite stations line the bay from KBC Ras Soma in the north to ION CLUB Safaga at the Shams hotels in Abu Soma. The closest beds are at the adults-only Shams Prestige, with the ION CLUB kite centre on its grounds, and the family Imperial Shams, about 250 m away. From the Steigenberger Resort Ras Soma it is about 1 km to KBC, with a free shuttle every hour.

At a glance

Soma Bay at a glance

Spot
A large bay with shallow lagoons, from Ras Soma in the north to Abu Soma in the south
Wind
North to north-north-west; 22–27 knots on average in summer, 18–25 in winter (ION CLUB)
Season
March to November; December to February is less steady
Water
About 21 °C in February and March, 28 °C in August
Wetsuit
Long wetsuit December to April, shorty in spring and autumn, lycra in summer (KBC)
Best for
Learning and freeride on flat water; families in large resorts
Airport
Hurghada (HRG), about 45 km; 30 to 50 minutes by road

Verified with the official sites of KBC Ras Soma, ION CLUB, Element Watersports, Robinson, Steigenberger and Shams Hotels, the VDWS listing, Surf Magazin, Sportif, Kiteguide, Let's Kite, Climates to Travel and Google Maps listings · Updated October 2026

See the place

Video

Spot Report: Somabay, Duotone Pro Center, Egypt. Wingfoiling and Kitesurfing. Perfect for everybody

A rider's spot report from the new Wyte Beach station in Soma Bay, covering travel, the stations on the bay, the wind and the kite and wing zones.

Video: 3asylife on YouTube

The spots

The kite spots of Soma Bay

Soma Bay is one big kite area. Its stations sit along about 7 km of shore, from Ras Soma in the north to the Shams hotels at Abu Soma in the south (Google Maps listings), with the Ras Abu Soma peninsula closing the bay to the east. They all ride the same north wind, but the launch, the water depth and the crowds change from one corner to the next.

Ras Soma: the north end of the bay

KBC Ras Soma, about 1 km south of the Steigenberger

Wind:
Side-offshore, seasonally side-shore, after about 1 km over the sea (school)
Water:
Flat even in strong wind; very shallow at the shore
Launch:
Private kite beach with launch and landing help
Level:
Beginners, two per instructor, to freestyle

KBC Ras Soma has its own private beach about 1 km south of the Steigenberger Resort Ras Soma, which is linked to it by a free shuttle every hour. The school says the shore area is so shallow that riding starts a little further out, in deeper water, and keeps several boats on the water for training and rescue. Wing foilers can also start from KBC's small base on the hotel beach.

The lagoon at the Palm Royale

West shore of the bay, about 2 km south of KBC

Water:
A large shallow area in front of Surfmotion (Kiteguide)
Wind:
Works with N, NW and NNW winds (Let's Kite)
Stations:
Surfmotion and Surf Point; Element Watersports 1 km south

The busiest stretch of the bay. Surfmotion, next to the Palm Royale, has direct access to a large shallow area, according to Kiteguide, and the Palm Royale also runs its own Surf Point station. About 1 km further south, Element Watersports works with Caribbean World. Kiteguide notes that on strong days the wind can be gusty close to the shore and steadies around lunchtime, and that the Tornado centre's boats take riders out to the middle of the bay, where the wind is cleaner.

The north shore: 7BFT KiteHouse

Inside the bay, about 1 km east of the Steigenberger

Wind:
Side-offshore, 4 to 8 Beaufort (school)
Water:
Smooth, according to the school
Good to know:
New buildings have made the wind gustier near the shore (Kiteguide)

7BFT KiteHouse is the outside kite school that Robinson Club Soma Bay shuttles its guests to; the club's own beach station is for windsurfing, catamarans and wing foiling. Kiteguide reports that construction around the KiteHouse has made the wind gustier close to the shore. A newer Duotone Pro Center opened at Wyte Beach in Soma Bay in 2025.

Abu Soma: ION CLUB at the Shams hotels

South end of the bay, about 4 km south of the Palm Royale

Wind:
Side-offshore from the left in the morning, side-shore from about noon
Strength:
Often 20 to 25 knots in the afternoon (school)
Water:
Flat in the morning, light chop in the afternoon
Good to know:
Separate kite and windsurf zones; coral patches are marked

ION CLUB Safaga has run a kite centre on the grounds of the Shams Prestige since 2003, at the north end of the Shams beach, with Imperial Shams next door and ION's windsurf base about 500 m further south. Mornings are lighter and suit lessons in shallow water; the wind turns side-shore around noon and then often blows 20 to 25 knots. Riders who are not staying at a Shams hotel pay a beach entrance of €7 a day.

Tobia (Utopia) Island

A sand island in the bay, about 4 km from ION CLUB

Wind:
The morning NNW wind takes you there in one run
Entry:
About €10, with sunbeds (Surf Magazin, 2024)
Level:
Independent riders, never alone

The small sand island in the bay is the classic downwinder. Surf Magazin, which rode there in 2024, put it 3.8 km from ION CLUB, reported an entrance fee of about €10 including sunbeds, and up to 150 day-trippers arriving by boat from lunchtime. KBC runs a weekly downwind trip with a barbecue to what it calls Utopia Island, about 2.5 km south of its centre, when at least three riders sign up.

On the spot

Where to stay right on the spot

Six hotels on the bay are in our guide, from a few steps to about 1 km from a kite station. At Abu Soma, the adults-only Shams Prestige has the ION CLUB kite centre on its grounds, 50 to 100 m from the bungalows, and the all-inclusive Imperial Shams next door is about 250 m away, with family rooms and a kids' club. In the north, Steigenberger Resort Ras Soma is about 1 km from KBC, linked by a free hourly shuttle.

On the west shore of the lagoon, the Palm Royale has Surfmotion next door and runs its own Surf Point station, and Element Watersports works in cooperation with Caribbean World. Robinson Club Soma Bay, on the peninsula, shuttles its guests to an outside kite school, 7BFT KiteHouse.

Steigenberger Resort Ras Soma - Kitesurf Hotel in Soma Bay, Egypt
Kite beach 1 km, shuttle
5-star resort
Soma Bay, Egypt

Steigenberger Resort Ras Soma

About 1000 m, 13 min on foot to the kite station

5-star resort at Ras Soma, about 1 km north of KBC's kite beach, with a free hourly shuttle, two heated Olympic pools and a kids' club.

BeachfrontTwo heated Olympic poolsKids' club and kids' pool
Shams Prestige Abu Soma (Adults Only) - Kitesurf Hotel in Soma Bay, Egypt
Kite centre 50–100 m
5-star adults-only resort
Soma Bay, Egypt

Shams Prestige Abu Soma (Adults Only)

About 100 m, 2 min on foot to the kite station

Adults-only 5-star bungalow resort in Abu Soma with ION CLUB's kite centre on its grounds, 50 to 100 m away. Heated pool, spa, private beach.

Adults onlyBeachfront bungalowsHeated infinity pool
Imperial Shams Abu Soma Resort - Kitesurf Hotel in Soma Bay, Egypt
Kite centre about 250 m
4-star all-inclusive resort
Soma Bay, Egypt

Imperial Shams Abu Soma Resort

About 250 m, 4 min on foot to the kite station

4-star all-inclusive family resort on Abu Soma Bay, about 250 m from ION CLUB's kite centre: family rooms, kids' club, animation, swim zone.

All-inclusivePrivate beachFamily and duplex rooms
Palm Royale Resort - Kitesurf Hotel in Soma Bay, Egypt
Kite station 200 m
5-star family beach resort
Soma Bay, Egypt

Palm Royale Resort

About 200 m, 3 min on foot to the kite station

Family resort with two kite stations: Surfmotion about 200 m upwind and the hotel's own Surf Point. Kids club, heated kids pool, 1.2 km beach.

Private beach, 1.2 kmTwo water sports stationsKids club, ages 4 to 12

Schools

Kite schools in Soma Bay

KBC Ras Soma teaches in the north of the bay and ION CLUB Safaga at Abu Soma. Other stations include Surfmotion and Element Watersports on the lagoon, Surf Point at the Palm Royale, 7BFT KiteHouse on the north shore, Abu Soma Riders, and Tornado, whose boats take riders out into the bay.

KBC Ras Soma - Kite School in Soma Bay, Egypt
VDWS
1 km south of Steigenberger
Soma Bay, Egypt

KBC Ras Soma

Kite and wing foil school on a private beach 1 km south of Steigenberger Ras Soma: max 2 students per instructor, F-ONE gear, rescue boats.

10 services
German, English
Surf Point Soma Bay - Kite School in Soma Bay, Egypt
On the Palm Royale grounds
Soma Bay, Egypt

Surf Point Soma Bay

The Palm Royale's own water sports station, formerly Point Break: kitesurfing, windsurfing and SUP on the hotel grounds, behind its small marina.

5 services
English
ION CLUB Safaga - Kite School in Soma Bay, Egypt
IKO
VDWS
At Shams Prestige, Abu Soma
Soma Bay, Egypt

ION CLUB Safaga

IKO and VDWS kite centre on the Shams Prestige grounds in Abu Soma, near Safaga: Duotone gear, storage, a safety boat. Open daily, all year.

8 services
English, German
Surfmotion - Kite School in Soma Bay, Egypt
VDWS
200 m from Palm Royale
Soma Bay, Egypt

Surfmotion

VDWS wind, kite and wing centre about 200 m upwind of the Palm Royale: a 2 km standing area 30 to 60 cm deep, separate zones and rescue boats.

7 services
German, English

Wind forecast

7-day wind forecast at Soma Bay

Updated 2 Nov, 13:47

  1. Today

    2 Nov

    5kts

    Gusts 10

    WNW · 12m+

    LIGHT

  2. Tue

    3 Nov

    16kts

    Gusts 26

    NNW · 10m

    GO

  3. Wed

    4 Nov

    15kts

    Gusts 23

    NNW · 12m

    OK

  4. Thu

    5 Nov

    14kts

    Gusts 23

    NNW · 12m

    OK

  5. Fri

    6 Nov

    12kts

    Gusts 21

    NNW · 12m

    OK

  6. Sat

    7 Nov

    16kts

    Gusts 24

    NNW · 10m

    GO

  7. Sun

    8 Nov

    16kts

    Gusts 24

    NNW · 10m

    GO

GO16–24 ktsOK12–15 ktsSTRONG25 kts and moreLIGHTunder 12 kts

Strongest wind and gusts of the day, in knots. Kite sizes are a rough guide for a rider of about 75 kg. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

Season

Is Soma Bay windy? Wind and water month by month

Yes, for most of the year. The wind is a thermal north wind, backed by the trade wind, that blows from about north-north-west in the morning and swings towards north-north-east by midday. The ION CLUB station manager, quoted by Surf Magazin, puts the average at 22 to 27 knots in summer and 18 to 25 knots in winter, with 30 to 35 knots only a few times a year. Surf Magazin calls June to October the best months, with planing wind almost every day, and still counts well over 50% windy days in winter. From December to February, KBC sees more very strong and very light days.

Soma Bay kitesurf season month by month
MonthWindSeaAir (max)Wetsuit
JanuaryLess steady: more strong and light days22 °C22 °CLong wetsuit
FebruaryLess steady; gusty near the shore on strong days21 °C23.5 °CLong wetsuit
MarchSeason starts (ION CLUB's best months: March to June)21 °C26 °CLong wetsuit
AprilGood22 °C30 °CLong wetsuit or shorty
MayGood24 °C34 °CShorty
JuneBest months begin: planing wind almost daily26 °C36 °CShorty or lycra
JulyBest months27 °C37 °CLycra and boardshorts
AugustBest months28 °C37.5 °CLycra and boardshorts
SeptemberBest months27 °C35 °CLycra and boardshorts
OctoberBest months end26 °C32 °CLycra, shorty late in the month
NovemberStill good (in ION CLUB's best months)25 °C28 °CShorty
DecemberLess steady: more strong and light days23 °C24 °CLong wetsuit

Sea and air: monthly averages for Hurghada, about 45 km north, 1991 to 2020 (Climates to Travel). Wind notes from ION CLUB (its website and its station manager in Surf Magazin, 2024) and KBC; wetsuit advice from KBC, whose list overlaps in June and October, and ION CLUB.

Gear

What size kite for Soma Bay

Pack for the wind you will meet most. ION CLUB's station manager gives averages of 22 to 27 knots in summer and 18 to 25 in winter, 7BFT KiteHouse describes the bay as 4 to 8 Beaufort, and Infinity Sport's spot guide notes days of 30 knots or more as well as days of 15 to 18 knots. In winter, KBC expects more very strong and very light days than in the rest of the year.

If you would rather travel light, KBC rents F-ONE kites from 5 to 17 m and ION CLUB the Duotone range, and both let you change sizes as the wind changes.

Lessons

Kite lessons in Soma Bay: schools and prices

KBC Ras Soma publishes its prices: a 6-hour beginner course costs €386 per person in a pair or €504 private, and a private hour with rental gear €116 (school's website, October 2026). Courses never take more than two students. ION CLUB Safaga teaches all levels, in groups or private, and says a complete beginner needs about 12 hours on average; it publishes no Safaga price list, so ask the centre for a quote.

With your own gear, you pay to use a station: KBC charges €21 a day for Steigenberger guests and €26 for others, including storage and rescue, and riders from outside the Shams hotels pay a €7 daily beach entrance (€35 a week) at ION CLUB. Confirm prices when you book.

Families

Soma Bay for families and non-kiters

Most hotels on the bay are large resorts with pools, kids' clubs and their own beaches, so the family has a full day without going near the kite zone. Swimming and kiting are kept apart: the Shams hotels mark an open-water swimming area with no surfers, close to shallow water, and KBC's kite beach is about 1 km from the Steigenberger's beach. Non-kiting companions can use KBC's terrace, bar and showers free of charge. Summer is very hot, with average highs of 36 to 37.5 °C from June to August.

For no-wind days:

  • Diving and snorkelling: the Shams hotels and Robinson Club have dive centres, and the Tobia Arbaa (Seven Pillars) reef is about 15 km from Shams Prestige
  • Golf on the 18-hole Gary Player course at Somabay, with a 9-hole academy course
  • The Cascades thalasso spa on the peninsula, with a 750 m² Aquatonic pool
  • A full-day trip to Luxor, leaving at about 6:00 and back around 20:00 (ION CLUB)
  • Desert safaris by quad or camel, with a Bedouin dinner
  • Safaga town, about 10 minutes by taxi from the Shams hotels, for markets, mosques and fish restaurants

Travel

Getting there and getting around

Fly to Hurghada International Airport (HRG), about 4 to 5 hours from central Europe (KBC). Soma Bay is about 45 km south of the airport: Robinson gives 45 minutes by road to the peninsula, KBC about 30 minutes to Ras Soma, and the Shams hotels at Abu Soma give about 50 km and 45 to 50 minutes. KBC arranges airport transfers from €32 per car for up to two people.

Once there, the hotels are self-contained. KBC books taxi shuttles from other Soma Bay and north Safaga hotels for €7 to €10 per car, and Safaga town is about 10 minutes by taxi from the Shams hotels.

Map

Location

Marker
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

Honest notes

Good to know before you book

  • Mornings can be side-offshore and gusty near the shore; the wind usually turns side-shore and steadier around midday.
  • Near the shore the water is often very shallow: at KBC, riding starts a little further out, and coral patches are marked at ION CLUB.
  • The beaches are private: with your own gear you pay a daily fee to use a station (€21 to €26 at KBC, €7 beach entrance at the Shams hotels for outside riders).
  • From December to February the wind is less steady and the sea about 21 to 23 °C: bring a long wetsuit.
  • New resorts are still being built along the coast, and Kiteguide reports gustier wind near some stations.

Our take

Our verdict

Great for

  • Beginners who want flat, shallow water and lessons for two students at most
  • Families who want a big resort with pools and a kids' club near the kite station
  • Riders who want warm water and reliable wind from March to November

Think twice if you are

  • Wave riders: the bay is flat to lightly choppy
  • Riders who want to kite for free from any beach: the beaches are private
  • Travellers looking for town life on the doorstep

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Kitesurfing in Soma Bay

Is Soma Bay good for kitesurfing?

Yes. It is a wide, shallow bay with flat water near the shore and a north wind that blows on most days from March to November, often 20 to 25 knots in the afternoon at Abu Soma (ION CLUB). Kite stations run from Ras Soma in the north to Abu Soma in the south, most of them next to a resort.

When is the best time to kitesurf in Soma Bay?

From March to November. Surf Magazin rates June to October as the best months, with planing wind almost every day, and the sea is 26 to 28 °C from June to October. December to February still has wind, but it is less steady and the sea cools to about 21 to 23 °C.

How windy is Soma Bay?

Quite windy. ION CLUB's station manager gives average winds of 22 to 27 knots in summer and 18 to 25 knots in winter, with 30 to 35 knots only a few times a year, and 7BFT KiteHouse describes the bay as 4 to 8 Beaufort.

Is Soma Bay good for beginners?

Yes, with a school. The lagoons are flat and shallow, KBC teaches no more than two students per instructor with rescue boats on the water, and ION CLUB teaches beginners mostly in shallow water, in the lighter morning wind. ION CLUB says a complete beginner needs about 12 hours.

How much do kite lessons cost in Soma Bay?

At KBC Ras Soma, a 6-hour beginner course costs €386 per person in a pair or €504 private, and a private hour with gear €116 (prices on the school's website in October 2026). ION CLUB Safaga gives prices on request. Confirm with the school when you book.

Do I need a wetsuit to kitesurf in Soma Bay?

From late autumn to spring, yes. KBC recommends a long wetsuit from December to April, a shorty in spring and autumn, and lycra and boardshorts in summer, when the sea is 26 to 28 °C.

How far is Soma Bay from Hurghada airport?

About 45 km. Allow about 30 minutes to Ras Soma (KBC), 45 minutes to the peninsula (Robinson) and 45 to 50 minutes to the Shams hotels at Abu Soma, according to the hotels and schools.

Which hotels in Soma Bay are closest to a kite station?

Shams Prestige, an adults-only hotel at Abu Soma, has the ION CLUB kite centre on its grounds, 50 to 100 m from the bungalows, and Imperial Shams next door is about 250 m away. Steigenberger Ras Soma is about 1 km from KBC, with a free hourly shuttle.

Sources

Last checked October 2026

We only publish facts we could confirm with the official website or two independent sources. Spotted something out of date? Write to info@kitesurf.holiday.