Soma Bay: Horse Riding Beach and Desert Tour With Transfer

Sea, sand, and a steady horse make a fine pair. This two-hour Soma Bay ride takes you beside the Red Sea and through golden desert, giving you broad views without the noise of a busy sightseeing stop. I like the skill-matched horses and the calm approach for first-time riders. I also like that guides can take photos, a detail praised by Sebastien and Izabela.

The main drawback is simple: the ride is not priced the same for every hotel area. Pickup from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna costs an extra 10 euros per person, so check your location before booking. At $20 per person from the standard service area, the tour offers solid value, especially with water, tea, a guide, and optional hotel transport included.

Key points about the Soma Bay ride

• Two hours on horse: You spend the main part of the experience riding through desert terrain and along the Red Sea beach.
• Suitable for beginners: Staff match you with a trained horse and adjust the ride to your skill level.
• Beach and desert scenery: You get both turquoise water views and wide golden sands in one outing.
• Guide-led and photo-friendly: Guides focus on safety and comfort, and the staff may take pictures during the ride.
• Hotel transfer option: Pickup and return are available when you select the transfer option.
• Good low-cost value: At $20 per person, the package includes riding, a professional guide, bottled water, and tea.

Starting with a hotel transfer to the equestrian center

If you select the transfer option, the tour begins with pickup from your hotel and a ride to an equestrian center in the Red Sea Governorate. That removes the usual trouble of finding a stable in an unfamiliar resort area.

The transfer is especially useful if you are staying in Soma Bay and want a simple door-to-door outing. You do not need to arrange a taxi, explain the location to a driver, or work out how to return after riding in the heat.

Pay close attention to the extra transfer charge. Pickup from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna costs 10 euros per person. That can change the value of the tour, particularly for a larger family or group.

The basic price is $20 per person. For that amount, you receive the riding session, a professional guide, a bottle of water, and tea. Once a remote-area transfer fee is added, compare the total with other horseback options near your hotel.

Meeting the horse and guide

At the equestrian center, professional staff match you with a trained horse based on your riding ability. This matters more than it may sound. A complete beginner needs a calm, manageable horse, while an experienced rider may want a little more freedom in pace and movement.

The tour is presented as suitable for both first-time riders and seasoned equestrians. Still, you should tell the staff clearly how much experience you have. Say if you have never ridden before, if you feel nervous, or if you are comfortable at a faster pace.

The strongest praise for this outing focuses on the staff. Sebastien appreciated the care given throughout the activity and the photos taken along the way. Izabela also singled out the guide’s helpful manner and the quality of the pictures.

That gives you a useful expectation: this is not just a horse rental where you are left to figure things out. A guide stays involved, helps with safety, and aims to shape the ride around your comfort.

The available languages are Arabic, English, German, and Russian. That broad choice can make instructions easier to follow, especially when you are handling an animal for the first time.

Riding through the golden desert

The first part of the ride takes you through desert trails and open sandy ground. The appeal is the quiet. You trade hotel pools and paved resort roads for wide views, dry air, and the simple rhythm of riding.

Do not expect an elaborate desert expedition. This is a two-hour horseback outing, not a full-day safari. The desert section gives you space and scenery, then the route continues toward the coast.

Your guide controls the pace and can keep the ride gentle if that suits you. The description also allows for a more spirited ride through open terrain, but your riding skill and comfort should guide that choice. A beginner should not feel pushed to trot or ride faster than feels safe.

The desert setting also gives the experience a strong visual contrast. On one side, you have pale sand and open country. Later, the bright water and sea breeze change the mood completely.

Wear clothing that allows free movement. Comfortable trousers and practical footwear are better choices than loose garments or anything you would worry about getting dusty. A hat is recommended, but make sure it fits securely in the wind.

Following the Red Sea beach

The coastal portion is the tour’s main draw. You ride parallel to the clear Red Sea water, with turquoise waves on one side and desert views on the other.

That combination gives you more than a standard stable ride. You are not simply circling an arena or following a short path behind the center. The route is designed to bring you close to the shoreline and into the open setting around Soma Bay.

The sea breeze can make the ride feel more comfortable than the dry desert section. It also adds movement and sound, with the water providing a constant backdrop as the horse walks along the shore.

The beach ride is likely to be most enjoyable at a relaxed pace. You can look out across the water, take in the broad views, and enjoy the unusual sight of a horse moving beside the Red Sea. The guide’s presence helps you focus on the surroundings instead of worrying about directions.

You might also catch glimpses of local wildlife, though that is not guaranteed. Treat it as a possible bonus, not a promised part of the outing.

The coastal route is a good choice for people who want an outdoor activity but do not want a crowded boat trip or a long day away from the resort. It offers a quieter way to see the area, with the horse providing the transport and the beach supplying the scenery.

How the two-hour pace feels

Two hours is a sensible length for this kind of activity. It gives you enough time to experience both desert and beach riding without turning the outing into a tiring full-day commitment.

For a complete beginner, two hours on horseback may still feel demanding. Even a gentle ride uses muscles you may not normally use, so comfortable clothes are not just a suggestion. Avoid dressing for a formal resort lunch immediately afterward.

The pace can vary according to your ability and wishes. The guide may keep things slow and peaceful, or allow a more active ride in open ground when appropriate. You should discuss your preference before setting out.

The experience works well as a morning or afternoon addition to a Red Sea holiday, though the supplied information does not specify exact departure times. Confirm the pickup time and meeting details when you reserve.

Guide support, safety, and photographs

The guide’s role is one of the best reasons to choose this ride rather than arrange an informal horse rental. Experienced staff are responsible for your safety and comfort throughout the route.

That support is particularly valuable when you have never ridden before. The staff can help you settle on the horse, understand the basic handling, and stay with the group as the route moves from desert to beach.

The staff also appear willing to help create keepsakes. Photos were specifically praised by Sebastien and Izabela, with Izabela noting that the pictures turned out beautifully. You should still ask the guide when photos will be taken and how they will be delivered, since the provided details do not explain the photo process.

Keep your expectations practical. A guide taking photos is a welcome extra, but it is not listed as a separate guaranteed package item. The confirmed inclusions are the horse ride, professional guide, bottled water, and tea.

Water, tea, and the small comforts

A bottle of water is included. That is important in Egypt’s dry climate, especially when you are riding outdoors for two hours.

Tea is also included, giving the outing a simple local touch and a chance to pause around the ride. The information does not specify exactly when or where tea is served, so ask the guide if you need to plan around it.

There is no meal listed. Eat beforehand if you need more than a drink, particularly if you are booking the ride around lunch.

Bring a hat and wear comfortable clothing suited to horse riding. The best outfit is one that protects you from the sun, allows you to sit comfortably in the saddle, and does not flap around the horse.

Who will get the most from this ride

This outing suits you if you want a short outdoor experience with strong scenery and limited planning. It is a good fit for couples, solo visitors, and families with appropriate riding ages, though no minimum age is provided, so confirm that point before booking for children.

It is also a sensible choice for beginners. The staff match horses to riding ability, and direct feedback praises the way the tour accommodates first-time riders.

Experienced riders may enjoy it too, but should keep the format in mind. The activity is guided and designed for mixed ability levels, so it may not satisfy someone seeking advanced riding drills, long gallops, or technical training.

You should choose this tour if the idea of riding beside the sea appeals to you more than visiting another indoor attraction. The setting is the real prize: desert under your horse, clear water beside you, and plenty of open space.

You may want another activity if you dislike animal-based excursions, feel uncomfortable around horses, or need a fully predictable pace with no physical exertion. The ride is gentle by design, but it remains an active experience.

What the $20 price really includes

At $20 per person, the standard price is attractive. You receive two hours of riding in two distinct settings, a trained horse, a professional guide, water, tea, and hotel pickup and drop-off if you select the transfer option.

The price is strongest when you are staying close to the main service area. The extra 10 euros per person for Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna changes the calculation. Add that fee before comparing prices with a stable closer to your hotel.

The transfer also has a time value. A cheaper activity that requires you to arrange separate transport may not be cheaper once you add taxi costs and planning. Here, the return transfer leaves you at your hotel after the ride, which keeps the outing simple.

The experience has earned a 4.9 rating from 31 reviews, with repeated praise for the helpful staff, organization, first-timer support, and photographs. That pattern suggests the human side of the activity is a major part of its value.

Booking flexibility and practical checks

You can reserve now and pay later, which is useful if you are still arranging your Red Sea schedule. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Before you confirm, check four things:

• Your hotel’s transfer zone and any extra fee
• The pickup time and return arrangements
• Your riding experience and preferred pace
• Any age or participation rules for your group

These points are not complicated, but they prevent the most likely surprises. The activity itself is straightforward, and the staff appear to handle the riding details well.

Should you book the Soma Bay horse ride?

I would choose this tour if you want a reasonably priced, two-hour activity that combines desert views with a Red Sea beach ride. The trained horses, skill-based matching, helpful guides, and photo-taking all add value beyond simply sitting on a horse.

I would be more cautious if your hotel is in one of the areas with the 10 euro transfer surcharge, or if you are an advanced rider looking for serious equestrian work. For everyone else, especially beginners and casual riders, this is an easy way to see a quieter side of Soma Bay without giving up half a holiday day.

The best reason to book is the setting. You get sand, sea, breeze, and a horse beneath you, with the practical comfort of a guide and optional hotel transport. That is a lot of scenery for $20 when the transfer zone works in your favor.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The horseback riding experience lasts two hours and includes riding through the desert and along the beach.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select the transfer option.

Are there extra transfer fees?

Yes. Pickup from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna costs an extra 10 euros per person.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. Staff match you with a trained horse according to your riding skill, and the ride can be adapted for first-time riders.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for horse riding and bring a hat.

What is included besides the horse ride?

The package includes a professional guide, a bottle of water, and tea. It also includes hotel pickup and drop-off when the transfer option is selected.

Which languages are available?

The staff can provide service in Arabic, English, German, and Russian.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can reserve and pay later. Cancellation up to 24 hours in advance qualifies for a full refund.