Soma Bay: Horse Riding Beach and Desert Tour With Transfer

The best part of this Soma Bay outing is the change of scenery: one minute you are crossing golden desert sand, and soon you are riding beside clear Red Sea water with a breeze coming off the coast. The two-hour route gives you more than a short stable ride, yet it remains approachable for beginners.

I like the skill-based horse matching and the way the guides adjust the ride to your pace. I also like that water and tea are included, and that the staff can take photos, a small but useful touch when your hands are busy with reins. The main consideration is the transfer cost: pickup is included only when you choose that option, and resort areas such as Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna carry an additional 10 euro per-person fee.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours from desert to shoreline: The route combines open desert riding with a beach section beside the Red Sea.
• Suitable for first-time riders: Staff match you with a trained horse and tailor the pace to your ability.
• Photos are part of the personal service: Guides may take pictures during the ride, so you can keep your hands on the reins.
• The Red Sea is the star view: Expect turquoise water, wide desert scenery, and a quieter setting away from crowded resort areas.
• Transfers depend on your selection: Hotel pickup and return are available, with a 10 euro per-person supplement from four listed resort zones.
• A low-cost half-day outing: At $20 per person, the ride includes the horse, guide, water, tea, and beach and desert riding.

From your hotel to the Red Sea stables

If you choose the transfer option, the outing begins with pickup from your hotel and a ride to an equestrian center in the Red Sea Governorate. This takes much of the guesswork out of reaching the starting point, especially if you are staying in a resort area and do not want to arrange separate transport.

Check the transfer price carefully before booking. Pickup and drop-off are included when the transfer option is selected, but Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna add 10 euros per person. That extra charge can change the value of the $20 base price, particularly for a family or a larger party.

The stable staff then discuss your riding background and pair you with a suitable horse. The supplied details do not name individual guides, but the team speaks Arabic, English, German, and Russian. That range of languages is helpful when you need clear instructions about mounting, steering, stopping, or controlling your speed.

Do not expect a long orientation course before the ride. The important point is that the staff aim to match the horse and pace to your ability, including for people riding for the first time. Tell the guide plainly if you are nervous, inexperienced, or keen for a more active pace. Good communication makes a bigger difference here than pretending to be confident.

Getting comfortable before the two-hour ride

The preparation stage is practical rather than elaborate. You meet the horse, listen to the guide, and get ready for a route that includes both desert and beach terrain. Comfortable clothing is essential, and a hat is strongly recommended for sun protection.

Wear clothes that allow your legs to move freely and that you do not mind getting dusty. The tour information does not specify helmets, footwear, or protective equipment, so ask the provider about those items before setting out if they matter to you. It is sensible to bring only what you can keep secure while riding.

A bottle of water is included, along with tea. That is welcome in a dry, sunny setting, but it does not replace sensible sun protection. A hat, comfortable riding clothes, and any personal sunscreen you need should be part of your preparation.

The horses are described as trained, and the staff select one according to your experience. That makes the ride more approachable than an outing where every rider is placed on the same type of horse. Still, horseback riding is a physical activity. You should be comfortable sitting in a saddle for two hours and following basic instructions.

Crossing the desert on horseback

The first riding section leads through desert terrain near the coast. This is where the setting feels most different from the hotel strip. Instead of buildings and paved roads, you get open sand, dry ground, and broad views across the Red Sea region.

The desert part also lets the guide settle the group into a natural rhythm. You might ride at a calm pace while learning how your horse responds, or you might take a more spirited route through open ground if your skills and the guide’s judgment allow it. The experience is not presented as a formal riding lesson, so expect guidance and supervision rather than detailed training in equestrian technique.

I like this part because it gives the ride room to breathe. The horse is not simply walking in a small circle beside a stable. You are moving through a larger setting, with the desert and sea providing the backdrop. For a first-time rider, the open views can be exciting, though the exposed sun and dust may feel tiring.

The guide remains responsible for safety and comfort throughout the outing. Follow instructions about speed and spacing, and tell the guide promptly if your horse feels unsuitable or you need a slower pace. The ride is meant to fit your ability, not to turn a beginner into a galloping expert in two hours.

Riding beside the Red Sea

The beach section is the tour’s defining moment. The trail runs parallel to crystal-clear water, giving you views of turquoise waves on one side and desert scenery on the other. The sea breeze can make the ride feel cooler and more pleasant than the inland stretch.

This is also the point where the outing becomes more than ordinary horseback riding. You get a changing view as the horse moves along the coast, with open water, sand, and distant desert replacing the usual resort setting. The area is described as being away from crowds, so the atmosphere should feel quieter than a busy public beach.

The exact beach conditions can vary, and the supplied information does not promise a specific stretch of shoreline or a gallop through shallow water. Keep that in mind when setting expectations. The confirmed experience is riding on the beach and along the coast, not a guaranteed swim for the horses or a fast beach run.

You may ride peacefully along the shore, or take a livelier pace through open terrain if the guide considers it suitable. Pace depends on your ability, the horse, and the guide’s safety judgment. Beginners should feel free to remain at a walk. Experienced riders can explain what they would like, but the guide has the final say.

Guides, photos, and the human side of the ride

The strongest personal touch is the staff’s attention to individual riders. The horses are matched to ability, and the pace can be adjusted to suit first-time riders as well as people with more experience. That is important because horseback tours can be uncomfortable when the guide assumes everyone knows how to mount, steer, and stop.

The guide also helps make the outing memorable by taking photos during the ride. This was a repeated point of praise in the feedback, with special mention of attractive pictures and guides who took care of the group. You should not assume that every moment will be photographed or that professional editing is included, but having someone take pictures is useful when you cannot safely use your own phone.

The language choices are another practical advantage. Arabic, English, German, and Russian are listed, so you can request the language that lets you understand the safety instructions most clearly. If you have a concern about horses, riding experience, or pace, bring it up before leaving the stable.

The service sounds organized and attentive, but no tour can remove every physical challenge. You may feel saddle soreness, sun exposure, dust, or fatigue by the end. Comfortable clothes and a realistic view of the activity will help you enjoy the ride rather than treat it as a passive sightseeing trip.

What the $20 price really covers

At $20 per person, this is an inexpensive way to add a Red Sea activity to a beach holiday. The price covers desert and beach horseback riding, a professional guide, a bottle of water, and tea. If you need a hotel transfer and choose that option, pickup and drop-off are also included, except for the listed resort surcharges.

The value is strongest for a visitor who wants a two-hour activity with real scenery rather than a short photo opportunity at a stable. You get two distinct settings, a trained horse, staff support, and the chance to ride beside the sea. The included drink service is modest, but it is useful in the heat.

The transfer supplement deserves attention. An additional 10 euros per person from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, or El Gouna can make the final cost notably higher than the headline price. Compare the total for your hotel before deciding. If you are staying closer to Soma Bay or can reach the equestrian center without that surcharge, the deal looks particularly strong.

The price does not list meals, extended riding time, private guiding, or specialist equipment. It is best viewed as a straightforward two-hour ride, not a full-day horse holiday or a private equestrian lesson. That clarity helps you judge it fairly.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This outing suits first-time riders who want a guided introduction in a striking setting. The staff specifically accommodate people who have never ridden before, and the route offers enough scenery to make the activity feel special even if you spend the whole time at a calm pace.

It also suits experienced riders looking for a short coastal outing during a Red Sea stay. You can tell the guide your preferred pace, but do not expect an advanced riding program or a long wilderness route. The emphasis is on a safe, scenic ride rather than technical instruction.

Couples and friends may like the photo element, particularly if you want pictures of the ride without balancing a phone in one hand. Families should consider the age, comfort, and riding ability of each participant, since the supplied information does not state age limits or special arrangements for children.

This is less suitable if you dislike animals, find saddle time uncomfortable, or want a fast gallop guaranteed. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a full swim with the horses, since the confirmed activity is riding in the desert and on the beach.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Wear comfortable clothing designed for movement. Loose beachwear may flap, catch, or become uncomfortable in the saddle, while heavy jeans can feel hot in the desert. A hat is specifically recommended, and sun protection is sensible even though it is not listed as included.

Bring as little as possible. Anything you carry must stay secure while you ride, and your hands should remain available for the reins. Ask the guide before using a phone for pictures, since the staff may already be taking photos for you.

Arrive ready to listen. The most useful safety step is not a fancy riding technique, but understanding how to stop, steer, and control your pace. Be honest about your experience at the start. The horse match works best when the guide has accurate information.

Keep the route flexible in your mind. The tour promises desert and beach riding, sea views, and trained horses, but it does not state the exact trail, beach length, group size, or time spent at each section. Weather, riding ability, and local conditions may affect the pace and order.

Booking can remain flexible because you may reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are useful if your Red Sea schedule is still changing.

Should you book the Soma Bay horse ride?

I would book this if you want a low-cost, scenic activity that combines desert views with a Red Sea beach ride. The strongest reasons are the two-hour duration, support for first-time riders, trained horses, multilingual staff, and the useful photo service.

Check the final transfer cost before paying, especially from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, or El Gouna. Also choose it with the right expectations: this is a guided recreational ride, not an advanced equestrian clinic or a guaranteed gallop in the surf.

For a calm introduction to riding beside the Red Sea, the $20 base price offers good value. If you are willing to follow the guide’s pace and dress for the desert, this is an easy activity to add to a Soma Bay stay.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you select the transfer option. An extra 10 euros per person applies for pickup from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. Staff match you with a trained horse according to your riding ability, and the pace can be adjusted for first-time riders.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat and comfortable clothing suitable for horseback riding.

Which languages are available?

The listed languages are Arabic, English, German, and Russian.

Are water and refreshments included?

A bottle of water and tea are included.