With Egypt removed from the red list, and the scrapping of pricey pre-departure tests for fully vaccinated travellers, now is the time to head back to Somabay for the perfect half-term retreat. With five luxury hotels to choose from, virtually 365 days of sunshine a year, and seemingly unlimited land and water sports activities; the destination offers fun for all family.
For water sports lovers the opportunities are endless, with a range of water-based activities to pack in, whether it is banana boat rides or paddleboarding, to windsurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding, the activities are guaranteed to keep teenagers entertained. Somabay is also considered one of the best locations for kitesurfing in the world and the 7Bft Kitehouse offers the perfect base for beginners and seasoned pros alike.
The destination is also proud to offer some of the best snorkelling and diving conditions in the world. The house reef- accessible via a 420m long jetty- is one of the largest and most vibrant in the Red Sea, providing families with an easy and safe introduction to the wonders of the underwater world. The ORCA Diving Center offers exclusive diving and personalised services for both beginners and keen divers. With a team of international and professional instructors, guests are provided with training to ensure the highest level of safety while exploring the large turquoise-blue natural pool that lies along the reef – the ideal sheltered waters for dive practice.
Away from the water, Somabay is home to Somabay Golf with two fantastic Championship golf courses. Framed by spectacular panoramic views of the Somabay peninsula, Somabay Golf provides lush, rolling fairways with thrilling shots across the water. Beginners can develop their game with the PGA professional team at the Golf Academy, while the more advanced golfers can opt to play a round on the 18-hole course.
When it is time to refuel, families can take advantage of the discounted ‘dine-around’ concept, which allows guests to visit numerous restaurants and bars across the destination with ease. ‘Sobar’, in the heart of the bustling marina, is the ideal destination for sunset dinner and drinks, and the Arcade Room is the perfect holiday treat for the little ones.
Somabay has a hotel to suit every traveller, The Kempinski Hotel is renowned for its luxury and fine-dining experience, with 7,000m² landscape of lush greenery, picturesque water elements and a 400-meter-long coastline of marvelous sand touched by the sparkling crystal-clear sea water.
The 5-star Sheraton Soma Bay Resort is Somabay’s most family-friendly option, and a veritable oasis for young parents, with family suites, babysitters, the No mummies Kids Club and the Somasplash Waterpark that will undoubtedly keep the kids entertained.
For parents seeking to unwind, the tranquil Cascades Spa & Thalasso, part of The Cascades Hotel, offers luxury treatments and is the only retreat with Thalasso-Tonic Seawater based therapy in the Red Sea.
Egypt’s first watersports lifestyle hotel, The Breakers Diving & Surfers Lodge, is a must for keen sports lovers and active families, offering 173 modern modern guest rooms and an array of dining facilities, where guests can also enjoy DJ mixes and live entertainment, themed nights, movies at the rooftop area, beach BBQs & inviting chill-out spots.
Just a short 5-hour flight from the UK, and a 20-minute drive from Hurghada Airport, and with autumn temperatures at around 30 – 35 °C, Somabay offers the perfect escape this October half term. Somabay is also the first fully vaccinated destination in the Red Sea and is taking care of all Covid-19 precautions in line with government guidelines.