Elphinstone reef
One of the gems in the crown of Red Sea dive sites, Elphinstone offers exceptional reef diving and pelagic encounters.
Marsa Alam, Red Sea
Egypt
Where we dived
Dive Site
Elphinstone Reef (local name Sha’ab Abu Hamra) is one of the most famous dive sites in the Red Sea, located about 12 km offshore, halfway between Port Ghalib and Marsa Alam. This elongated reef is renowned for its dramatic drop-offs, strong currents, and breathtaking coral-covered walls. With its north-south orientation, Elphinstone is a hotspot for pelagic marine life, particularly sharks, making it a must-visit site for experienced divers.
Due to the strong currents, it’s crucial to assess the conditions before diving, making this site best suited for confident and experienced divers. Its relatively close proximity to the shore makes it attractive, and the area can be crowded with diving boats.
What to expect
Dive Type
Reef, Deep, Drift, Technical, Wall
ACCESS
Boat, Liveaboard
EXPERIENCE
Advanced, Pro, Tec
CURRENT
Strong, Moderate
MAX. DEPTH
10-100m+m
VISIBILITY
20-40mm
WATER
Salt
When to visit
Best Time To Dive
Elphinstone is diveable year-round, but the best conditions are between September and December, when shark activity is at its peak, especially for oceanic whitetips. Water temperatures range from 22°C to 30°C, with visibility often exceeding 30 meters.
Meet the Locals
Wildlife
Elphinstone’s steep walls and plateaus are covered in a mix of soft corals, gorgonians, and sponges, creating a vibrant underwater landscape. The site is famous for shark encounters, with regular sightings of oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and grey reef sharks, especially around the northern and southern plateaus. Schools of barracudas, trevallies, and tunas patrol the blue, while large Napoleon wrasses and moray eels inhabit the reef. Smaller critters like nudibranchs and pipefish can also be found hiding in coral overhangs.
Where to Go
Dive Site Location
Marsa Alam, Red Sea
Egypt
How good is the dive site
Rate the Dive Site
Dive smarter together—rate the site and share your insights!
Elphinstone
One of the best dive sites in the Red sea
Looking for more?
Similar Dive Sites
Explore more dive sites like Elphinstone reef
Who to dive with
We dived with
Get Involved
Local Projects
If there is a conservation project running at this dive site, we list it here. You may consider to join or take a part to give somthing back, help preserve the place or raise awareness. There's so much we can do to help...
ENJOYED THIS?