Soma Bay: Horse Riding Beach and Desert Tour With Transfer

The best part of this Soma Bay outing is the change of scene: one minute you’re crossing golden desert sand, and the next you’re riding beside clear Red Sea water with the breeze on your face. It is a simple, scenic way to see the coast without spending a full day on a boat or in a crowded resort area.

I like the horse matching and flexible pace, especially for first-time riders. I also like the practical touches: water, tea, a professional guide, and photo-taking along the way. The main thing to consider is that this is a two-hour riding experience, not an advanced equestrian lesson or a long wilderness ride.

Key points to know before you book

• Two different settings in one ride: Follow desert trails, then ride along the Red Sea beach.
• Suitable for beginners: Staff match you with a trained horse and adapt the ride to your skill level.
• Strong guide support: Guides focus on safety, comfort, and helping first-time riders enjoy the outing.
• Hotel transfer available: Pickup and drop-off make the tour easy from many Red Sea hotels.
• Useful extras included: You receive a bottle of water and tea, and photos may be taken during the ride.
• Good low-cost value: The listed price is $20 per person, though some resort areas cost an extra €10 per person for transfers.

Riding from desert sand to the Red Sea

This tour gives you two very different views of the Soma Bay area. The desert section brings wide golden sands and open space. The beach section puts you beside the Red Sea, where the turquoise water and gentle breeze become the main scenery.

That contrast is the reason I would choose this ride over a standard horse trek that stays inland. You are not simply following one repetitive trail. The setting changes, and the coastline gives you plenty to look at even during a calm walking pace.

The ride lasts two hours. That is long enough to feel like a real outing, but short enough for a beginner to manage without committing a whole day to the saddle. If you already ride often, you may find the time modest, especially if the pace stays gentle. For most holidaymakers, though, the length makes sense: you get a proper coastal experience while keeping the rest of the day free.

The exact order of the desert and beach sections is not specified, so your route may depend on conditions, the riding group, and the guide’s judgment. Expect scenic trails through open terrain rather than a tightly scripted series of stops.

A calm introduction for first-time riders

You do not need to arrive as an experienced rider. The staff match you with a trained horse based on your riding ability, and the ride can be adjusted to your pace and preferences.

That matters because a horse ride can be enjoyable or uncomfortable depending on the match between horse and rider. A complete beginner needs a steady animal and clear help. Someone with more experience may prefer a livelier pace when the route allows it. The description specifically allows for peaceful riding or a more spirited ride through open areas, but the final pace remains a practical matter for the guide and the group.

The strongest point from the available feedback is the care given to first-time riders. One person specifically noted that the team adapted the activity to the wishes of riders who had never ridden before. That is useful information if you are interested but nervous. You should still tell the staff about your experience before setting off, rather than assuming they already know your comfort level.

The guide’s role is important here. You can expect help with safety and comfort throughout the ride. The available feedback also points to a helpful supervisor and a well-organized outing. No individual guide names are provided, but the staff are described as speaking Arabic, English, German, and Russian.

Wear clothes that allow you to move easily. Comfortable clothing is more important than dressing for photographs, though you may want to balance both. A hat is recommended for sun protection. Closed, practical footwear would be a sensible choice for riding, but the supplied details do not specify a required type of shoe.

What the hotel transfer adds

If you select the transfer option, the day begins with pickup from your hotel and ends with a return transfer after the ride. That removes one of the less pleasant parts of arranging a short activity in an unfamiliar resort area: finding the equestrian center and organizing transport for a relatively brief excursion.

The transfer is included for the standard covered pickup areas, but the listed conditions add €10 per person for pickup from Safaga, Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. Check your hotel location and the final booking price before paying. An apparently inexpensive tour can look less inexpensive once a special transfer charge applies, though $20 remains a low starting price for a two-hour guided ride with refreshments.

The details do not state the vehicle type, pickup time, group size, or exact transfer duration. You should confirm those points if they matter to your schedule. This is particularly useful if you have a flight, dinner reservation, or another excursion later the same day.

If you are already close to the equestrian center, the transfer may matter less. If you are staying farther away, the pickup and drop-off are a major convenience and may justify the extra charge.

What happens at the equestrian center

After arriving, you meet the staff and are matched with a trained horse. This is the point to explain your riding background honestly. Tell the guide if you are a complete beginner, have ridden only once or twice, or are comfortable at faster speeds.

The horse selection is presented as a personal match rather than a one-size-fits-all arrangement. That does not mean you should expect a private lesson. The central purpose is a scenic ride, with safety and comfort guiding the pace.

Once you are ready, the route heads through desert terrain and toward the coast. You may ride at a peaceful walking pace beside the water or take a more spirited route across open ground if the conditions and guide allow it. The wording suggests flexibility, but it does not promise trotting or a particular speed, so book this for the setting and experience rather than for advanced riding practice.

The guides remain involved during the outing. They help with safety, keep the ride comfortable, and can help you get settled if this is your first time on a horse. For a short holiday activity, that support is more valuable than a formal lecture about riding technique.

The beach section is the visual highlight

The coastal part is where the experience earns its place on a Soma Bay itinerary. Riding beside the Red Sea gives you an angle that a normal beach walk does not. You see the shoreline from the saddle, with the water on one side and desert scenery behind you.

The sea breeze should make this more pleasant than a ride spent entirely inland, particularly in warm weather. Still, sun exposure remains part of the outing. Bring a hat, wear comfortable clothing, and consider how much time you want to spend outdoors before booking.

The water is described as crystal-clear and turquoise, with wide views along the coast. You may also catch glimpses of local wildlife, though no specific animals are promised. Keep that expectation modest. The main reward is the open view and the contrast between sea and sand, not a wildlife-focused tour.

The beach portion may also be the best time for photographs. One guide received special praise for taking many photos, and another person highlighted the quality of the pictures. Since photo service is not listed as a formal inclusion or guaranteed product, treat this as a welcome possibility rather than something to book solely for a professional photo session.

Tea, water, and the small practical details

A bottle of water is included, along with tea. These are modest additions, but they matter after time outside in the desert and sun. You do not need to plan the ride around finding a drink immediately afterward.

The experience also includes a professional guide and both desert and beach riding. Those inclusions help explain the low price. At $20 per person, you are paying for a short guided outdoor activity with transport available as an option, rather than for a full-day riding course or a luxury private excursion.

The price is strongest for people who want one memorable activity without a major time or budget commitment. It is also a good fit if you are traveling with someone who has never ridden before and wants an easy introduction.

Value becomes less clear if you are an experienced equestrian looking for advanced training, a long ride, or a private route. The supplied information does not promise a private group, a particular riding speed, or an extended beach session. In that case, ask for those details before booking.

How the experience feels for different types of riders

For a beginner, the main advantages are horse matching, guide support, and a manageable two-hour duration. The best approach is to describe your comfort level at the start and ask the guide to keep the pace steady.

For a couple or small family group, the coastline and desert provide a more memorable setting than a basic riding ring. The photo-taking noted in the feedback can also make the outing useful for holiday pictures, though you should not assume every ride includes a dedicated photographer.

For a confident rider, the tour offers scenery more than technical challenge. You might enjoy the chance to ride along open ground and beside the sea, but you should confirm how much trotting or faster riding is possible. The activity is built around a guided coastal experience, not a sporting ride.

For someone who dislikes organized group activities, the unknown group size is worth noting. The available information does not say how many people ride together. You can still ask the provider before booking if a small group or private arrangement is important to you.

How the feedback helps set expectations

The overall rating is 4.9 from 31 reviews, and the praise is quite consistent in a few areas. The strongest themes are helpful staff, good care during the ride, support for beginners, organization, and photographs.

One person described the guide as taking care of the group and taking many pictures. Another praised the supervisor for being helpful. A first-time riding group appreciated having the activity shaped around its wishes. These details point to attentive handling rather than a rushed handoff at the stable.

That said, the feedback does not answer every practical question. It does not establish the group size, the precise route, the amount of time spent on the beach, or the exact riding speed. I would use the positive comments to feel comfortable about staff support, but I would still ask the provider about any detail that affects your plans.

The lack of guide names is also worth noting. The provider is S B T Travel, and the available languages are Arabic, English, German, and Russian. If you need a specific language, state that when booking rather than relying on a general language list.

Booking flexibility and useful preparation

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Red Sea schedule is still changing. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are helpful for a short excursion, since weather, transfer plans, and holiday energy can change quickly.

Bring a hat and wear comfortable clothing suitable for horse riding. Keep your clothing practical and secure, since you will be sitting in the saddle and moving between sand and shoreline.

You should also arrive ready to explain your riding experience. This is the simplest way to improve the horse match and the pace. If you have concerns about sun, balance, or riding for two hours, tell the staff at the start.

Should you book the Soma Bay horse ride?

I would book this if you want an affordable, scenic Red Sea activity with a gentle introduction to horseback riding. The combination of desert trails, beach views, guide support, water, tea, and optional hotel transfer gives you a lot for $20 before any area-specific transfer fee.

It is especially suited to first-time riders, couples, and holidaymakers who want an outing that feels different from a standard boat or beach day. The positive feedback about staff care and photographs adds confidence.

I would hesitate only if you want advanced riding, a guaranteed private group, a specific riding speed, or a long beach trek. Those features are not promised. For everyone else, this is a practical two-hour escape into the desert and along the Red Sea, with enough scenery to make the short ride worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding experience?

The horseback riding lasts two hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

Are there extra transfer fees for some areas?

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

Is the activity suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. Staff match you with a trained horse based on your riding skill, and the ride can be adjusted to your pace and preferences. The activity has also been adapted for people riding for the first time.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat and comfortable clothing suitable for horse riding.

Which languages are available?

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

What is included besides the horse ride?

The experience includes a professional guide, a bottle of water, tea, desert riding, and beach riding. Transfer is included only when the transfer option is selected.