Cairo – June, 2024 -Throughout June, Somabay proudly hosted Ocean Month, transforming into a vibrant hub for ocean conservation awareness with its captivating variety of programs and activities designed to engage the surrounding community and highlight the critical importance of preserving our nature. The initiative comes as a testament to Somabay’s unwavering commitment to protecting the Red Sea’s delicate marine environment.
Across the month, Somabay implemented a series of events focused on educating both guests and the local community and inspiring ocean conservation. Activities included introductory diving sessions for adults and underwater swimming lessons for children, fostering a love and appreciation for the underwater world at all ages.
World Oceans Day at Wyte Soma Beach Club combined education and action. Attendees learned about some of the marine life as well as watched a thought-provoking documentary on ocean conservation. The day included an interesting and deep conversation moderated by Sarah Abdelhamid – Somabay’s sustainability consultant, and led by prominent figures in the field such as Omar Samra, Mr. Wolfgang – representative from Orca Dive Club Somabay, Mr. Ayman from HEPCA, and Ashraf El Siessy, Chief Hospitality Officer at Somabay, taking it to an educative and exciting narrative about our role in preserving our nature and environment. Additionally, a mind-opening documentary by renowned freediver Khaled El Gamal ignited discussions about ocean conservation during the insightful panel talk.
Somabay’s commitment to the environment continued with a partnership with Turtle Watch Egypt for World Sea Turtle Day, featuring sand art activities. The “Diving Against Debris” initiative empowered participants to remove plastic pollution, while a Community Signage Art Workshop created signs promoting ocean protection. The month concluded with another snorkeling tour and a captivating ocean documentary night.
Somabay’s dedication to marine conservation extends far beyond events. The destination was recently selected as a top 10 finalist for the prestigious OceanLove Innovation Award, taking the 8th place among 38 countries. This recognition is a testament to its groundbreaking coral reef restoration and conservation project in the Safaga region.
Sarah Abdelhamid, Somabay’s sustainability consultant, submitted her innovative “New Approach on Holistic Coral Reef Restoration and Conservation,” which judges selected as one of the 10 most promising ideas. Using extensive coral taxonomy monitoring, the project aims to identify the coral colonies at threat and help them regrow in land-based farms, while also preparing them for future sea conditions.
According to the assessment of the panel of judges, this scientific research-based project has an integrated approach, aiming to restore the coral reef ecosystem in the Red Sea as well as educating the community. It works with a clear scientific research backbone and shows much potential.
In addition to these significant achievements, Somabay introduced a series of sustainable art installations that explore the relationship between the natural environment of the beach and the human experience. These installations challenge traditional notions of art and encourage viewers to engage with their surroundings. “See the Sea” is an interactive, site-specific beach art installation repurposing discarded umbrellas into large-scale, walk-through sunglasses, inviting social interaction and a shared experience. “The Coral” sculpture represents the delicate and endangered coral reef ecosystem, made from discarded construction materials and plastic waste found in Somabay, highlighting the fragility of coral reefs and human impact on marine environments. “Rhythms of the Shore” is a large-scale sculptural installation celebrating African culture and traditions, made from upcycled palm trees, fostering a sense of communal music-making and cross-cultural exchange. “This is not real, one day you won’t find it” is a turtle-themed site-specific artwork drawing attention to the plight of sea turtles and the need to safeguard their habitats.
Somabay’s Ocean Month program and its recognition in the OceanLove Innovation Award serve as powerful examples of the destination’s dedication to environmental stewardship. By fostering education, community engagement, and innovative conservation efforts, Somabay is paving the way for a sustainable future for the Red Sea.
About Somabay
Somabay is a prime touristic destination in Egypt, idyllically situated on the Red Sea’s coast (just a 20-minute drive from Hurghada International Airport and only a 4-hour flight from Central Europe). Nestled on 10 million square meters of landmass, the self-contained community of Somabay is surrounded by sea on three sides. The resort site boasts some of the most beautiful sandy beaches of the Red Sea and panoramic views of desert mountains. Life at Somabay is where fantasy scapes follow you wherever you go, and sun-drenched activities take infinite elevating forms. Home to 5 luxury resort hotels and a signature portfolio of residential properties, Somabay’s one-of-a-kind settings with its full complement of premium amenities are the stage for incomparable experiences alongside friends and family.