Have you ever dreamed of experiencing life as a professional athlete? Follow in Ramy Salameh’s footsteps and travel to Somabay, a premier sports tourism destination on Egypt’s Red Sea featuring world-class facilities.
Imagine a day which starts by watching an ATP tour tennis tournament and ends on horseback viewing the sun melt below the Red Sea Mountains. And in-between getting to play a nine-hole Par 3 golf course, snorkel above a family of turtles gliding passed a coral reef, before slipping into the Red Sea’s only Thalasso Tonic seawater-based therapy pool to pummel your every sinew into a more relaxed state.
This was a day I experienced during a stay in Somabay, one of the most beautiful peninsula’s on Egypt’s dazzling Red Sea coastline and one which continues to emerge as a leading sports tourism destination. As a club tennis player and sports traveller, being able to watch up-close, professional players competing in Somabay’s first ever ATP Challenger tournament was enthralling, especially alongside Hend Eissa, Mohammed Safwat – the current Egyptian Davis Cup Captain and Gilbert Schaller – former Austrian Davis Cup Captain who manage the academy. This dynamic trio are set on making the academy, a tennis hub for Africa, helping to develop talent from across the continent, whilst also eager to attract amateur clubs and players throughout the rest of the year.
Beside the courts, I was able to stay with the tournament players at the Kaktus Hotel & Co-Working Hub. This new sport and lifestyle property, whose façade is enlivened with colourful modernist murals reflect the energy of the resort, alongside its earthy tones which evoke the surrounding landscape. The 188-rooms wrap themselves around a central pool and the co-working hub makes it an ideal base for athletes, teams and digital nomads looking to work remotely.
Between tennis matches, the captivating turquoise shoreline beckons with its enchanting allure. Whether lounging at a chic beach club beneath a reed-grass parasol or channelling your inner Jacques Cousteau beneath the waves, it’s a scene that invited me to explore. As a top-tier golfing destination, even The Gary Player-designed PGA course meanders alongside the coastline, presenting golfers with captivating glimpses of marine life through the crystal-clear waters.
It has hosted the ‘Somabay World Cup’ amateur golf tournament and the resort will soon add another PGA standard course – Hidden Coves – early in 2026. For players striding toward the current 18th green, their view is of the terracotta-hued architecture of the opulent Cascades Golf Resort & Spa. It is an impressive sight, promising total relaxation at the ‘Eagles Nest Bar’ and pure indulgence at the Thalasso Spa’s hydrotherapy treatments in a series of salt-infused pools.
After enjoying the immaculate fairways of the par-three nine-hole course, I hopped into my rented golf cart, eager to explore the eastern side of the bay where the 420m ‘Jetty Hub’ gives easy access to the house reef. The Red Sea surrounding Somabay, with its flat-water conditions and ideal wind dynamics, makes it one of the world’s top three kitesurfing spots, alongside wingfoiling and an array of watersports. The quickest, easiest and most popular way to discover the Red Sea’s vibrant ocean habitats is to snorkel, opening up a unique marine ecosystem just below the waterline.
On the way to the jetty, I glimpsed the ultra-modern ‘Sports Arena’ which incorporates the OneFlow Aquatics Centre which has seen the Aquatics World Cup and Water Polo dive into its Olympic and semi-Olympic sized pools, whilst the connected OneFlow Football Academy has held local and international training camps. This impressive facility also features a running track, a well-equipped gym, squash courts, padel courts, and four grass tennis courts.
Nearby, ‘The Marina’ marks the starting point of a picturesque 5km pedestrian promenade, where luxury yachts gently sway in the surf, and guests can criss-cross between charming artisan boutiques, delightful eateries, and inviting cafés. The path winds alongside a palm-fringed sandy coastline, passing prestigious hotels like Kempinski, Robinson, and Sheraton, eventually leading to the ‘Jetty Hub.’ This popular snorkelling and diving site sits directly across from the Orca Dive Club and The Breakers Surfing & Dive Lodge.
Venturing along the 1km pier, is an experience in itself; between the wooden slats I glimpsed the marine life darting playfully beneath my feet, feasting on coral before vanishing in a flicker. At the jetty’s end, I carefully descended the semi-submerged ladder into the warm sea, equipped with mask, snorkel, and my dive buddy. With calm precision, he pointed out an array of brilliantly coloured fish and those cleverly camouflaged against the ocean floor, while divers emerged from the depths, their air bubbles floating to the surface like clusters of jellyfish.
This short introductory snorkel session around the house reef was preparation enough to then embark on an adventure to the stunning ‘Seven Pillars’ coral reef sculptures, waiting just beyond the horizon.
As I slipped from the bow of the yacht into the vast expanse of the sea, I was instantly captivated by barracudas hovering motionless above the magnificent coral structures, while vibrant fish flitted in every direction. On one of several swims back towards the boat’s dive platform, a family of turtles glided past me with effortless elegance, showcasing the stunning flora and fauna thriving in the Red Sea.
Back on board, I dangled my legs over the edge, indulging in the time-honoured ritual of watching the sun sink gently behind the rugged Red Sea Mountains, a moment where the entire resort comes to a standstill. With the gentle waves lapping against the hull and the sun’s warm, fading embrace wrapping around us, I sat in quiet harmony with the boat skipper, Ibrahim, enjoying these few hypnotic moments.
Somabay offers a variety of stunning vantage points to witness one of nature’s most breathtaking performances. During my stay, I watched the sun set from a cozy spot and bean bag on the beach to the spacious balcony of ‘SoBar’ sipping a cocktail, right in the heart of the Marina. However, the most exhilarating way to witness the sun’s descent toward the mountainous horizon was on horseback.
On a tranquil stretch of beach, my loyal steed galloped towards the softening rays of the sun before slowing to a gentle trot through the shallows. The sky blazed with shades of deep orange, casting fellow riders into silhouette against the fiery backdrop as we made our way back to the Jasmine Stables.
With the sunset transformed into a starry night, there was still one last activity to enjoy. During the evening, S-Tennis Academy’s floodlights flickered to life, illuminating its twelve international-standard hard courts. Seizing the refreshing evening air, I stepped onto the very same courts as the pros, eager to replicate the impressive shots I had witnessed earlier, guided by my skilled academy coach Karim.
Finally, returning to my room, the hotel was emphasising its identity as a sports and lifestyle hub, as the reception buzzed with bronzed athletes and tennis bags, all in view of the tennis courts. One of many reminders of just how well Somabay has created myriad facilities and spaces, where both professional sports people and guests can develop their skills together and just maybe give a little insight into one another’s lives.
