Abu Soma (Soma Bay)
- Freeride, Foil
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Ocean, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Crowded
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Abu Soma (Soma Bay) is a beginner-friendly Red Sea lagoon spot built around a huge standing area behind an offshore sandbar, where water is typically flat and forgiving for learning freeride and foiling. In the bay further out, conditions can develop light chop, but overall the riding experience is centered on calm, shallow-water geometry. Wind is most consistently reported from the NW (northerly trade winds) and is described as high reliability, especially from spring into autumn. In the summer months (roughly May to October), winds average around the low-20s knots, with the thermal effect often strengthening through the afternoon; a commonly cited thermal window is mid-morning to late afternoon (about 10:00 AM–5:00 PM). The shoreline and launch are on sand with a wide sandy beach that provides space for rigging and launching, with launch difficulty generally considered easy. The main hazards are shallow, marked areas and occasional coral patches farther out; riders are advised to stay aware of the marked shallow zones and avoid swimmer areas. For safety, the spot uses designated kite/windsurf zones and prohibits riding in swimmer zones. Rescue is described as limited overall, though dedicated rescue boats are operated by major centers across the bay; seasonal lifeguards are also reported. Expect a resort-style environment with crowded periods during high season.
- Extremely consistent NW/N trade wind with afternoon thermal reinforcement
- Very large shallow lagoon for long, easy practice sessions
- Clear water and generally minimal obstacles in the main lagoon riding area
- Massive shallow lagoon with very flat water behind an offshore sandbar
- Strong, consistent NW/N trade winds with reliable summer thermal reinforcement
- Beginner-friendly conditions with large, sand-based launch space
- Some shallow-water zones and occasional coral patches require careful navigation
- Wind can be less clean near certain hotel buildings; expect minor turbulence in localized areas
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NW
- Offshore directions
- NW
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Consistent northerly trade wind regime (N/NW) with afternoon thermal reinforcement; spot-scale direction reported as NW.
- Reliability
- high
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Gustiness described as moderate; generally steady/very reliable especially in the warmer season.
- Best Months
- May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Ocean, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Small — Typically flat/flatwater within the lagoon with light choppy wave activity in the bay.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Light chop reported in the bay; lagoon itself is mostly flat behind the sandbar.
- Launch
- Big — Large wide sandy beach with plenty of space for launching/rigging; lagoon upwind areas are reserved for kiters.
Through the year
High season during European school holidays (July–August) and autumn (October). Quieter mid-season periods are reported for March, April, and November.
Rain is extremely rare; occasional sandstorms can occur in late spring.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Flatwater freeride and progression spot with a massive shallow lagoon/standing area behind the offshore sandbar; light chop in the bay further out. Also used for foil and freestyle, but primarily known as an accessible beginner-friendly lagoon ride.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Reported as excellent with flat water in the lagoon and small chop further out for blasting/varied conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–7 m²
Very foil-friendly once past the shallow shore/standing lagoon zone; the constant wind and lack of shore break supports progression.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported, with a shallow shore zone that must be cleared.
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1.5 meters required once outside the immediate standing lagoon.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Abu Soma (Soma Bay) in the full forecast view.
Abu Soma (Soma Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–16 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- N353°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2416 kts
- Windy days
- 3/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–0.9 m4s period
- Temperature
- 21–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Abu Soma (Soma Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 3–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.2–0.9 m with a period of about 4s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Marked shallow areas
- Coral heads/patches (mainly in deeper water / occasional)
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Dedicated rescue boats are reported as available via major centers across the bay; overall rescue described as limited.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest general hospitals are located in Safaga; emergency services numbers reported for the wider area include ambulance 123.
Rules of the spot
Use designated kite/windsurf zones and avoid riding in swimmer zones; follow common-sense launching/landing precautions due to beach users and beach traffic.
- No riding in swimming zones.
- Designated zones for kitesurfing/windsurfing are enforced.
- Avoid swimmer zones.
- Be cautious around shallow/marked areas and coral patches.
- For cleaner wind, riding/launching further north in the bay is reported to help.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Safaga (approx. 35 km drive)
- Nearest Town
- Soma Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Hurghada International Airport (HRG) ~45–50 km away
- Parking
- Available at resorts and beach areas.
- Public Transport
- Limited; private shuttles/taxis and resort transfers are commonly used
- Access
- Sandy beach access; visitors commonly use resort/center transfers or shuttles to the northern launch area near the nautical station area for safer launching.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Arabic
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Near — Multiple hotels/resorts line the bay, with some properties described as directly at or near main launch spots.
- Food & Drink
- Food and multiple bars/restaurants are available at the beach and within resort areas.
- Equipment Rental:
- Full range of current-year equipment available for rent at major sport centers; gear rental is described as available across the bay.
- Gear Storage
- Secure lockers/storage bins are available for a daily or weekly fee (described as common at local centers).
- Gear Repair
- Basic repair services for sails and kites are provided by local stations; repair is also available via local centers in the area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Abu Soma (Soma Bay)?
The best overall months at Abu Soma (Soma Bay) are May, June, July, August, September, October. The best wind months are May, June, July, August, September, October, November.
Which wind directions work at Abu Soma (Soma Bay)?
Abu Soma (Soma Bay) works with NW winds. Offshore directions are NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Abu Soma (Soma Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Abu Soma (Soma Bay): Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–7 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Abu Soma (Soma Bay) suitable for?
Abu Soma (Soma Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Beginner · Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner.