Please wait

Soma Bay SSI Dive School, Soma Bay

The dive centre in Soma Bay is reputed to have some of the most extensive diving facilities on the Red Sea.

See courses & prices

5★ on Google — 190+ reviews Personally checked by our team ATOL & TTA — 100% protected

Learn & progress in Soma Bay

Why we rate this centre

The dive centre in Soma Bay is reputed to have some of the most extensive diving facilities on the Red Sea. This spacious facility has been designed with the diver and snorkeller in mind. The centre's dedicated facilities are impressive, with two spacious dry rooms, changing facilities and showers, personal lockers, two air-conditioned classrooms for training, a boutique, and a bar with a comfortable terrace, to mention only a few. All are designed to be of the same high quality and standard as the surrounding prestigious resorts. Soma Bay really is the No. 1 choice for any Red Sea holiday.

To add to this impressive list of amenities, the centre has its own 420m long private jetty, making access to the world-class house reef comfortable and easy. It extends directly from the dive club to the reef, with electric cars available to carry equipment and divers for effortless access to the reef entry point. A large turquoise-blue lagoon lies at the front of the reef and provides sheltered waters ideal for training. This "House Reef" boasts spectacular marine life from the smallest to the largest creatures, with sightings of large pelagics like barracuda, turtles and eagle rays being commonplace.

A fleet of dedicated hard dive boats will take you to a wide range of dive sites within 30 - 90 minutes. The highly experienced and friendly crew guarantees to take you safely and comfortably to only the best dive sites. All boats are equipped with the necessary safety equipment in accordance with international standards. You will find oxygen, first aid, VHF marine radios, lifejackets, and state-of-the-art communication and navigational aids on board.

INSTRUCTION PROGRAMME - The Team at the centre consists of a permanent team of SSI and PADI instructors. All of them are highly qualified and have years of diving experience, not only in the Red Sea. It is these instructors who will guide you through all of your training requirements. A flexible and friendly learning environment using state-of-the-art training aids will allow you to get the most out of your chosen aspect of diving, whether that be just getting started, moving into continuing education, or something a bit more technically orientated. The team is happy to help and advise you every step of the way.

SSI is the preferred certification at this centre - you can pay a supplement for a PADI certification if you prefer

Due to the ideal conditions that are found on our "House Reef", the centre Team conducts beginner training directly in the sea. In the shallows, you will have plenty of time to practice your skills and enjoy the incredible spectrum of colours surrounding you. Learning to dive in this fish-filled crystal clear environment is simply an amazing experience. After these 4-5 days of training, you will be all the better prepared to enjoy the many wonderous dive sites off Soma Bay and Safaga area.

Kindly note the below regarding the Egypt amusement tax to be paid on site:

The Egyptian parliament has passed a so-called amusement tax. From 16 July 2023, this tax must be paid to the Egyptian tax office. Unfortunately, this amusement tax also applies to all Sport/Dive centres on the Red Sea. Centres are now obliged to report the income daily to the tax office and to pay this tax to the state.

Google ★★★★★ 5/5

Speak to a Egypt expert

We know this centre and its team personally. Tell us your dates and level — we'll tell you honestly whether it's the right fit, and package it with the right hotel.

Or call +44 1273 921 001 — Mon–Fri 9am–6pm

See it for yourself

Soma Bay SSI Dive School in pictures

Courses, lessons & kit

Soma Bay SSI Dive School — Soma Bay, Egypt

Prices for the week from

Dive Storage & Centre Services

Diving - Daily 2 Tanks Boat Dives (tanks weights and air only)

day(s)

From £201

Details

2 tank boat divers per day, including tanks, weights & air only. This will normally be guided as part of a small group of up to 6 divers per dive guide.

Note:

Must be a minimum of PADI Open Water qualified divers, or similar. You will be asked to sign a declaration that you are 'fit to dive'. If you think you may have any medical reason that could effect your diving, or you are over the age of 65, you will need to bring a certified PADI Dive medical, or similar, with you.

Dive Lessons

Nitrox Course

day(s)

From £90

Details

Internationally Recognized PADI Certification. Qualifies you to dive to dive on enriched air nitrox up to 40%. The PADI Enriched Air Diver course is PADI’s most popular specialty scuba diving course, and it’s easy to see why. Scuba diving with enriched air nitrox gives you more no decompression dive time. This means more time underwater, especially on repetitive scuba dives. You can typically stay down longer and get back in the water sooner. No wonder many divers choose this as their very first specialty.

Typically when using enriched air divers will get mixes which are either 32% or 36% oxygen, and this makes enriched air ideal for diving at shallower depths. For example, when diving with air to 18 meters/59 feet using the Recreational Dive Planner, you would have a maximum no stop limit of 56 minutes on a single dive. For the same depth, but using a 32% mix of enriched air, you would have a no stop limit of 95 minutes at 18 meters/59 feet. Potentially this means that you would have up to an additional 39 minutes dive time on this profile compared with air, though don’t forget to check your gauges as you will still be breathing through the gas in your cylinder at the same rate.

You will learn techniques for getting more dive time by using enriched air nitrox, enriched air scuba diving equipment considerations, enriched air considerations, including managing oxygen exposure, how to tell what’s in your scuba tank and how to set your dive computer.

Note:

You need to be a certified PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent certification from another organization).

Dive Lessons

Refresher Day Diving Course (excl Equipment)

day(s)

From £73

Details

Ideal for clients who are comfortable in the water but have not dived for a while and are looking to refresh their dive theory so they feel more comfortable with their general dive knowledge as well as staying up to date with the latest dive info available and are looking for a quick fun refresher dive to get back in the swing of things. The program includes a series on modules and videos that take you through all your basic dive theory with additional dive tips and concepts.

Note:

You must be a certified diver.

Dive Lessons

SSI Open Water Course (excl. certification and manual fees)

day(s)

From £360

Details

A 4 day learn to dive course with full equipment. This globally-recognized certification program is the best way to begin your life-long adventure as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

The 4 day SSI Open water diver course is an internationally valid entry level certification which allows the diver to safely plan and dives with a buddy, independent of supervision of a dive professional, up to a maximum depth of 18 meters.

SSI Open Water Divers are qualified to:

Dive without direct supervision of a Dive Professional up to a depth of 18 metres.
Rent or purchase scuba equipment and participate in dive activities .
Continue further dive training by finishing the SSI Advanced Adventurer certification and taking further speciality dive courses.

To sign up for a SSI Open Water Diver course, you must be at least 10 years old. You need good swimming skills and need to be in good physical health.

The SSI Open Water Diver course consists of three main phases:

Knowledge Development ( independent study or in a classroom) to understand basic principles of scuba diving – There are six sections of the Open Water Diver course theory and video that need to be completed.
Confined Water Dives to learn basic scuba skills – these dives are conducted in the swimming pool, to help you master essential underwater and equipment skills.
Open Water Dives to use your skills and explore – you do four dives in the sea to complete the Open Water Diver course.

You learn to use basic scuba gear, including a mask, snorkel, fins, regulator, buoyancy control device and a tank. Your SSI Instructor will explain the equipment you need and may suggest additional educational materials, such as the required logbook.

Rough daily itinerary

Day 1: Theory ( Chapters 1, 2 and 3 ) and Pool Training

8:30 to 1:00 pm: Course registration and completing the first three sections of the Open water course theory and video, followed by some knowledge review quizzes.

2:00 to 4:00 pm: We hit the pool to learn to use the scuba equipment and to practice some essential underwater skills.

Day 2: Theory ( Chapters 4, 5, 6 and Exams) and Pool Training

8:30 to 1:00 pm: Completing the last two sections of the Open water course theory and video, followed by some knowledge review quizzes and your final exams. The exams may also be taken on the last day of the course.

2:00 to 4:00 pm: We hit the pool again to learn to to learn some more skills and to practice and perfect the ones learnt yesterday.

Day 3: Open water dives 1 and 2

8:30 am to 3:30 pm: Meet at the Dive centre, kit up, and head out by boat to the dive site. Do two dives along with your instructor, where you practice your newly learned skills and explore the underwater world. Learn to wash and properly care for you equipment, and log your first two dives.

Day 4: Open water dives 3 and 4

8:30 am to 3:30 pm: Same routine as before, we meet at the dive centre, get ready, and head out by boat to the dive site. You do your third and fourth dives along with your instructor, where you demonstrate your skills, practice and explore the dive sites. When you return, we complete your paperwork ( and final exams, if not completed on day 2 ), log your dives and you are ready to be certified as a SSI Open Water Diver!

Note:

You will be asked to sign an SSI medical form to complete the course. If you think you may have any medical condition that could affect your ability to dive we recommend a Dive Medical prior to booking.
Certification & Material not included.

Dive Lessons

SSI Open Water Referral Course

day(s)

From £237

Details

Do you want to start your SSI Open Water Diver course while you are in the middle of winter? Or did you book a tropical trip but do not want to spend too much time on your diving course during your holiday? Then do the SSI Referral. During this course, you will do all theory and round the pool training sessions in your own home. After this, all you have to do is make the 4 outdoor dives. Wherever you want. This way you can get the most out of your vacation, you will not lose unnecessary time and you will have more time to make beautiful dives. Your referral is valid for 12 months.

The SSI Open Water Diver course is, in our opinion, the best way to start diving. Not only is this training your first step in the diving world but also a very important one. In this course, you will learn all the skills you need for the rest of your 'dive' life. It is therefore very important that during this course sufficient attention is paid to learning skills and gaining sufficient knowledge.

Note:

Some centers may require for you to bring your own book/digital materials and course papers of the referring center.

Dive Lessons

SSI Advanced Course (excl. certification and manual fees)

day(s)

From £270

Details

SSI Advanced Open Water Diver is the next recognition rating on the path to becoming an SSI Master Diver, and includes four SSI Specialty program Digital Kits. After completing the four SSI Specialty programs that interest you, as well as 24 logged dives, you will automatically receive the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver recognition rating, along with your SSI Specialty program certifications.

Note:

You need to be at least 15 years old and need to have your open water diver, which gives you the necessary core competencies and experience required to move up to the advanced level.

Dive Lessons

SSI Junior Open Water Course (excl. certification and manual fees)

day(s)

From £360

Details

The Junior Open Water certification course is a course that allows children between 10 and 14 years of age to enter the diving world. Children can start studying theory at home with the online courses, or if they want, they can follow the lessons in the centre. The course aims to pass the Junior Open Water Diver certification. After the theoretical part, a certain number of dives will be made.

Note:

Children must be a minimum age of 10 years to participate, in good physical health with excellent swimming ability.

Dive Lessons

SSI Certification Fee and E Learning Materials

day(s)

From £64

Details

Access to the SSI E Learning materials that run along side any SSI Diving courses?

Note:

This is a mandatory fee for the learning materials and can be paid for in advance to access prior to travel

Dive Equipment Rental

Diving - Daily Unlimited Equipment Rental (full equipment excluding computer)

day(s)

From £44

Details

Full dive equipment will include BCD, regular set with all gauges, wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins.
Tanks, weights & air are included as standard in all daily diving as standard. A dive computer is generally at an additional fee per day, and paid locally.

Note:

You must hold a valid dive qualification to rent dive equipment, such as PADI Open Water Course, or SSI, BSAC or CMAS equivalent.
There can be local taxes and fees at some destinations, such as Marine Parks fees, environmental taxes and government taxes - these are not always included in the price.