SCUBA December 2023 issue 141 | Page 51

SCUBA ’ s equipment reviewer Neil Hope hadn ’ t been to the Red Sea for 20 years , so we sent him to Somabay , a resort enclave near Hurghada , to see how things have changed
TRAVELSPECIAL

Return to the Red Sea

SCUBA ’ s equipment reviewer Neil Hope hadn ’ t been to the Red Sea for 20 years , so we sent him to Somabay , a resort enclave near Hurghada , to see how things have changed

Somabay is located on a peninsula to the south of Hurghada , in the Egyptian Red Sea . Surrounded by the Red Sea on three sides , it ’ s just a four-hour flight from the UK . This self-contained , 10 million square metre community desert is now home to five luxury resort hotels .

My week-long stay would be at The
Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge . ‘ Welcome Home ’ is the mantra here and although it ’ s slightly confusing on arrival { I don ’ t live here !], you soon get the gist of its meaning .
Just a 20-minute drive from Hurghada Airport , The Breakers is pitched as an adult singles / couples destination , where watersports are the focus of activities .
That ’ s not to say children aren ’ t welcome . I saw many families enjoying their diving or learning to dive together .
Some of my fellow visitors informed me they were returning for a second or third visit . However , if you ’ re searching for other topside activities to keep your youngsters occupied then you may have to look elsewhere .
A patch of colourful lettuce coral
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