Set on a 10-square kilometre sun-drenched peninsula along Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Somabay is fast emerging as one of the region’s most exciting sports travel destinations. Designed as a fully integrated resort, it combines elite-level training facilities, international competition, adventure sports and laid-back luxury, which is all framed by coral reefs, desert mountains and uninterrupted sea views.
The resort destination recently marked a major milestone with the launch of the S-Tennis Academy and its first ATP 50 Challenger tournament in 2025 and early this year, the academy hosted their first ATP 75 challenger tournament. The event gathered a strong line-up of ATP-ranked players, offering another week of high-level tennis, which is open to all guests from across the resort, who can freely spectate courtside.
With twelve international-standard floodlit hard courts and under the experienced leadership of Davis Cup Captain Mohammed Sawfwat, former Austrian Davis Cup Captain Gilbert Schaller and Hend Eissa, the academy is positioning Somabay as a thriving tennis hub for Africa, welcoming both professionals and amateur clubs. This dynamic trio are dedicated to developing Egyptian tennis, while enhancing Somabay’s reputation as a premier destination for global sporting events and high-end sports tourism.
Adjacent to the courts, the new Kaktus Hotel & Co-Working Hub serves as a natural base for athletes and active travellers, blending flexible workspaces with a relaxed, social atmosphere. This new sport and lifestyle property features a vibrant façade adorned with modernist murals that capture the resort's energy, complemented by earthy tones reflecting the surrounding landscape. The 188 rooms encircle a central pool, while the co-working hub offers an ideal workspace for athletes, teams, and digital nomads seeking remote work opportunities.
Beyond tennis, Somabay’s sporting credentials spread across the peninsula. Golfers can drive, pitch and putt around a Gary Player designed championship course that hugs the coastline, with an additional PGA-standard course named ‘Hidden Cove’ set to open this year. Recovery and wellness is taken just as seriously, with the Red Sea’s only Thalasso spa offering seawater-based hydrotherapy, a major draw for elite athletes and wellness-focused guests at the Cascades Golf Resort & Spa.
Between the golf course and the waterfront, lies the '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.
Continuing the aquatics theme, the translucent waters of the Red Sea surrounding Somabay, is consistently ranked among the world’s top kitesurfing destinations, with ideal wind and flat-water conditions. For those captivated by marine life, snorkelling and diving opportunities are spectacular, with easy access to the vibrant house reef via a 420-meter jetty pier. Famous coral formations like the 'Seven Pillars' lie further offshore, where enchanting sightings of turtles, barracuda, and kaleidoscopic fish are common.
Evenings slow the pace. Sunset horseback rides, marina-side dining, rooftop cocktails and quiet beach lounges soften the adrenaline-fuelled days. What sets Somabay apart is its seamless integration of professional athletes, amateurs looking to enhance their skills, and those simply wishing to unwind by the beach or explore the underwater wonders. Somabay is more than just a picturesque beach resort with sports facilities. It’s a purpose-built sports destination, paving the way for an exciting future that is only just beginning to unfold.
