Soma Bay & Abu Soma

Soma Bay is located just 45km from Hurghada airport. The resort boasts some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the Red Sea and panoramic views of desert mountains.  Soma Bay gives access to some of the best dive sites in the Red Sea and offers fabulous snorkelling, shore and boat diving. 

Learning to Dive

The house reef at Soma Bay stretches from the east to the west of the peninsula.  With a diverse marine life and an abundance of corals it is truly a delight for all experience levels.  A lagoon lies at the front of the reef and provides sheltered waters ideal for training. The house reef boasts a fantastic array of marine life with sightings of large pelagics like barracuda, turtles and eagle rays being commonplace.

Qualified Divers

Panorama Reef is a huge coral formation - its walls dropping to over 200m with numerous grottos and overhangs, gorgonians and soft corals. Due to the currents, this site is one of the highlights of the area and best dived as a drift dive. Jacks, barracudas and reef sharks often visit the area and a well-known family of napoleon wrasse are frequently sighted.

Abu Kafan, or ‘the deep one’, is probably the most spectacular dive site in the area with stunning, sheer walls plummeting towards the seafloor hundreds of metres below. Luxuriant soft corals, gorgonians and black corals abound and this is a regular haunt of schooling barracuda, reef sharks and turtles.

Wreck enthusiasts are often drawn to Safaga to visit the Salem Express, an Egyptian passenger ferry that sank on its return journey from Mecca in 1991. 300 victims perished in one of the greatest marine tragedies of all time. This is a stunning site but a dive that is generally considered one for reflection rather than pleasure.

Soma Bay House Reef Diving

The Orca Dive Club Soma Bay is situated on a house reef that stretches from the east to the west of the peninsula. Packed with diverse marine life and an abundance of corals it is truly a delight for snorkellers and divers of all experience levels. A 420 metre jetty extends directly from the dive club to the reef, with electric cars that are available for carrying equipment and divers for effortless access to the reef. A large turquoise-blue lagoon lies at the front of the reef and provides sheltered waters ideal for training. This house reef boasts a spectacular array of marine life from the smallest to the largest creatures. With sightings of large pelagics like barrakuda, turtles and eagle rays being commonplace.

Orca Divers are based at the Sheraton Hotel in Soma Bay, the dive boats depart from the new marina.

Baracuda Dive Centre are based at the InterContinental Resort in Abu Soma and offer boat diving and courses for guests staying at this hotel.

ORCA DIVERS

The purpose built dive centre is located at the Sheraton Hotel. The dive boats depart from the new marina. A natural, sandy lagoon in front of the dive centre is ideal for introductory dives and training. Daily diving includes two boat dives per day. There is a great house reef boasting a spectacular array of marine life from the smallest to the largest creatures. 

All divers with fewer than 30 logged dives must be guided. The cost for a dive guide is €5 per dive, payable in resort. It is compulsory to dive with a computer.

General Information

Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >

Diving Offers

Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.

Any dive packs offers listed below are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings, there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.

HALF PRICE Diving Offer

Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE (boat diving).

Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE!  Saving based on standard diving prices.  See table below for special offer prices in red.  Valid for new bookings from 25 May 2010.

Valid for departure dates:

17 November - 16 December 2010
5 January - 8 April 2011
1 June - 8 July 2011

Group Offer 

Book 11 dive packs and get one FREE. Go to the Regaldive Groups page>

Please note:

1. Boat diving packages consists of two unguided boat dives per day, including tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€5 per dive).  For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
2. House reef dives & unguided and include tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€5 per dive).
3. Check Dive / Scuba Review: Most dive governing bodies recommend a scuba / skills review if no diving has taken place for 6 months. A Scuba Review can be prebooked at a cost of £59 - £68. 
4. Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28,  PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26,  Rescue Diver Course: £28,  Enriched Air Diver Course: £35,  PADI Certification fee €44 (paid locally).
5. Extras payable locally in resort:-
   • Nitrox (32%):  FREE
   • Equipment hire including computer:  €12 per dive
   • Third daily dive:  €38**
   • Certification & Manual for courses:  €55
   • Certification fee only:  €44
   • Dive Guide:  €5 per dive
   • Private guide:  €20 per dive
   • Reef tax:  €3 per day
   • **Third dive conducted as an early morning dive. Three dive days also include breakfast.
     
6. Special trips (prices shown are available with pre-booked diving.)
   • Salem Express:  FREE
   • Abu Kafan:  FREE

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BARACUDA DIVE CENTRE

Based at the InterContinental Resort, Baracuda Dive Centre is a multi-lingual PADI, SSI and CMAS accredited centre offering day boat diving and a range of courses. The centre is located next to the marina and has air conditioned classrooms and a drying room. There is a bar for divers to get together after diving. All divers with fewer than 30 logged dives must be guided. The cost for a dive guide is €5 per dive, payable in resort. It is compulsory to dive with a computer.

General Information

Learn to Dive Courses >
Advanced Dive Courses >
Technical Dive Courses >

Dive Packs

Book your dive pack or course with Regaldive prior to departure. Our prices are lower than those in resort. You can also take advantage of our great value dive pack offers.

Any dive packs offers listed below are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings, there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.

Please note:

1. Packages for qualified divers include two unguided boat dives per day, including tanks and weights. Divers with less than 30 logged dives must be guided (€5 per dive). It is compulsory to dive with a computer.  For 'Special Trips' and 'Extras payable locally in resort', please see below.
2. Check Dive / Scuba Review: Most dive governing bodies recommend a scuba / skills review if no diving has taken place for 6 months. A Scuba Review can be prebooked at a cost of £70. A check dive will be carried out in resort for all divers.
3. All 'Learn to Dive Courses' listed include equipment rental. Advanced courses do not include equipment. Technical courses include manual and certification but do not include gases.
4. Additional costs for courses: PADI Open Water manual: £28,  PADI Advanced Open Water Manual: £26,  Rescue Diver Course: £28,  PADI Certification fee €45 (paid locally).
5. Extras payable locally in resort:-
   • Dive Guide:  €5 per dive
   • Reef tax:  €3 per day
   • Equipment hire:  €22 per day
   • Night Dive & Early morning dive:  €17
   • Nitrox tanks (per fill):  €3
   • Sales tax in resort: 10%
6. Special trips (prices shown are available with pre-booked diving.)
   • Wrecks (Includes breakfast & lunch):  €22

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Getting Around

Soma Bay is located just 45km from Hurghada airport. The resort boasts some of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the Red Sea and panoramic views of desert mountains.

Climate 

The hottest time of the year is July and August with air temperature of over 30 degrees C. The coolest time is January with the temperature at around 20 degrees C. Rainfall is negligable and it is invariably sunny but breezes can be cool.

Time

Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT.

Currency

Egyptian pounds or LE. Approximately £1 = 8LE

We recommend that you take some money in Cash to Egypt. There is a currency exchange desk available at the hotel.  Please note that Scottish notes and Australian Travellers Cheques are not accepted in Egypt.

Tipping

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to travellers for personal recognition of the services offered. We would advise that you allow approx. £10 for gratuities for local staff for the duration of your stay.

Rough Price Guide

• Local beer 20LE
• Foreign imported beer c.20LE
• Snack meal (pizza/sandwich) 20LE
• Bottle of mineral water 5LE
• Soft drink 8LE

Activities

Outdoor pursuits available include:

• Golf
• Thalasso spa
• Water sports
• Camel & jeep safaris
• Horse riding
• Trips to Luxor & Hurghada

Egypt Factbox

Flight Information

From London Gatwick and Manchester airports direct to Hurghada every Friday. Regional departures are also available,. Please call Regaldive for details.

Flight duration: 5 hours

Transfer: Approx. 45 mins

Departure tax: n/a

Passports

Passengers travelling to Egypt must have six months valid on their passport from the date of departure from Egypt.

Visas

A single entry tourist visa for Egypt is required for all nationalities. For British passport holders with British citizenship, Egyptian visas can be obtained conveniently and inexpensively on arrival at Hurghada airport.

Other nationalities should check with consular office.

Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Egypt, but we recommend protection against typhoid, tetanus, hepatitis A and polio. Though malaria does exist in Egypt, it is generally not present in the coastal resorts.

Vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.  For the most up to date advice please consult your travel clinic.

Further information regarding vaccinations for travel to this country can be found at www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk and from your local healthcare provider.

Red Sea Offers

Red Sea Dive Pack Offers

Regaldive are committed to saving you money on your dive holiday!

Book your dive pack or course before you go to save money.  Our prices are lower than those you will pay in resort. You can also save £££'s with our great value special offers and discounts.

All special offers have limited availability, so book early to avoid disappointment!

Emperor Divers, Red Sea

€20 OFF SPECIAL DIVE TRIPS, DIVE COURSES & EQUIPMENT RENTAL - 2010 Voucher Offer 

This voucher entitles the holder to €20 off special dive trips, dive courses and equipment rental.  Valid until 31st December 2010. 

Download your voucher here >

Available at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.

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Learn to Dive HALF PRICE Diving Offer! 

Book a PADI Open Water course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE!  Saving based on standard diving prices.  Valid for new bookings from 26 August 2010.

Valid for departure dates:
1 September - 24 December 2010

Available at Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.

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HALF PRICE Diving Offer 2010 & 2011

Book a 4, 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE! *

Book a PADI Open Water, Fastrack* Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! *  Saving based on standard diving prices.  Valid for new bookings from 18 May 2010.

Valid for departure dates:

18 November - 14 December 2010
31 December 2010 - 15 March 2011
1 June - 12 July 2011

*Fastrack materials £45 extra for concessionary place.

Available at Sharm, Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam and Nuweiba.

All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.

Divers' Lodge, Hurghada - FREE Diving

Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack or a PADI Open Water, Open Water Fastrack* or Advanced Course and your buddy can book the same FREE!  Valid for departure dates:

19 November -17 December 2010
7 January - 1 April 2011
6 May - 8 July 2011

*Fastrack materials £45 extra for concessionary place.

All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.

Orca Dive Club - HALF PRICE Diving 

Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE (boat, or boat & house reef, or house reef only).

Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE!  Saving based on standard diving prices.  Valid for new bookings from 25 May 2010.

Valid for departure dates:

17 November - 16 December 2010
5 January - 8 April 2011
1 June - 8 July 2011

Available at Soma Bay, Abu Dabab & Hamata.

All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.

Sinai Divers, Dahab - HALF PRICE Diving

Book a 5 or 6 day dive pack (shore dives only or shore +  boat dives) and your buddy gets the same HALF PRICE! 

Book a PADI Open Water or Advanced course and your buddy can book the same at HALF PRICE! 

Valid for departure dates:

20 November - 17 December 2010
8 January - 13 March 2011
7 May - 19 June 2011
19 November - 17 December 2011

Valid for new bookings from 28 May 2010.

All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. For diving only bookings there is an additional admin fee of £15 per person.