Explore Elphinstone

Elphinstone dive site is located around 12km from the coast of Marsa Alam out in the Red Sea, in Egypt. This dive site is world renowned for the pristine condition of the coral but also the vast amount of marine species, including many sharks, divers can spot here. The reef here is located in the open ocean of the Red Sea and is a reef which stretches approximately 300 metres, cigar shaped and varies from 10 metres wide to 25 metres wide. It is made up of two plateaus, with depths ranging between 10 and 45 metres, which both drop down to hundreds of metres deep. Divers can visit here either as part of their liveaboard trip or on day trips from Marsa Alam dive centres and dive resorts.

Upcoming Events

SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course – Fully Customized Experience

SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course – Fully Customized Experience

Welcome to the next step of your diving journey! When you train with Star Diving Training Center, you are getting a premium, tailor-made experience that goes far beyond standard course checklists.Your convenience and comfort are our top priorities. We provide round-trip transportation, picking you up directly from your hotel in Marsa Alam and dropping you back off after your dives. You will be training alongside an elite, professional team with more than 20 years of experience in the industry. Your safety is our absolute priority, and we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality training and the best experience you could ever imagine underwater.To ensure you get the absolute most out of your course, we keep our group sizes strictly small, allowing for highly personalized, focused attention from your instructor. Furthermore, our program is completely flexible—we will work with you to choose the specific dive sites that match your interests and goals.What’s Included at a Glance:Door-to-Door Logistics: Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off within Marsa Alam.Elite Instruction: Guided by a pro team with over 20 years of expertise.Bespoke Scheduling & Sites: A flexible itinerary covering the dive sites of your choice.Premium Quality: Small group sizes for enhanced safety, comfort, and elite training standards.We look forward to exploring the deep blue with you and taking your diving skills to elite levels!

Star Diving, Alexander The Greater Resort, 84721, Marsa Alam, EGY
September 28, 2026 +1 More
$381.06
€330.00
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Dive Activity

Diving in Elphinstone

Elphinstone dive site is for advanced divers only because it is out in the open ocean meaning chances of unexpected and strong currents. The diving here includes spectacular drift dives past the flourishing reef walls or over top of the reef plateaus. It is also fantastic for underwater photographers, as there are subjects big and small to capture here, surrounded by incredible colours.

Due to the depths and the conditions, there are a lot of opportunities for tec divers here to do some thrilling dives, including descending down the steep reef walls which drop down past 100 metres into the blue, there’s also

Sacrophagus Archway to explore at depths of 52 and 65 metres; a really unique dive.

Dive Sites

SSI Service Center Egypt, 84517 Hurghada
Elphinstone Reef (★4.4)

Elphinstone Reef (★4.4)

This is one of the most famous dive site in Egypt. The Elphinstone Reef is full of healthy corals, magnificent clear blue water, and rich marine life. It is also a great destination to see your first shark.
Maximilian K. (#5039566)
Abu Dabab IV (★4.3)

Abu Dabab IV (★4.3)

Access to this dive site is from a zodiac. This site has one big coral block with colourful soft and hard corals, surrounded by small corals blocks and pinnacles.
SSI Service Center Egypt, Hurghada
Elphinstone South (★4.4)

Elphinstone South (★4.4)

Elphinstone South is an amazing off-shore reef dive and preferred by many as an afternoon dive due to the fantastic lighting. The dive slopes down from 18m deep to the deepest top of the plateau at 40m.
Luca M. (#3528019)
Elphinstone North (★4.4)

Elphinstone North (★4.4)

Located 30km from Marsa Alam, Elphinstone North is one of the main dive sites in this area with lots of sharks and some of the most healthy coral reefs in the region. It is a 90 minute boat ride to reach, however definitely worth the trip!
Jessica F. (#2893219)
Abu Dabab II (★4.3)

Abu Dabab II (★4.3)

Reef and coral garden in front of Abu Dabbab Bay. Beautiful cave with bright light inside. Small and old wreck beautifully covered with soft corals. Approachable by zodiac.
Mares
Abu Dabab VI (★4.3)

Abu Dabab VI (★4.3)

Access to the dive site is with the zodiac. This is one big coral reef. The waves make strange shapes on the reef, making it more interesting. This site is surrounded by small pinnacles.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Abu Dabab V (★4.6)

Abu Dabab V (★4.6)

Access to this dive site is from a zodiac. Big and small coral blocks are found here with nice soft and hard corals. There are beautiful caves and open places with breathtaking light.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Abu Dabab I (★4.3)

Abu Dabab I (★4.3)

Beautiful coral garden, many coral blocks with amazingly colorful soft corals. Few little caves with beautiful light inside them. Approachable with boat or zodiac.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Gota Hossam (★4.5)

Gota Hossam (★4.5)

The two reefs enclose an area like a pool with several coral gardens. The form is like a horsehoe, this is why the spot is called Gota Hossan. Max. depth: 18 meters.
Mares
Abu Dabab III (★4.3)

Abu Dabab III (★4.3)

Nice shallow reef with maximum depth of about 15-20m. There are several options for diving including drift diving and the pinnacles around the south east are a great place for exploring and finding unusual marine life
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Long Canyon (★4.7)

Long Canyon (★4.7)

Immensely popular and rare dive site – big wide reef table with many inside canyons in relatively shallow depth 8-10m. Divers can enjoy the nice view of sun beams coming gently through the coral reef sockets. This dive site is offering a great exploration of lots of twists & turns of the canyon.

The best Months to dive at Elphinstone

The weather here, due to the desert environment, is usually pleasant, reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius in the summer, but that does mean very pleasant water temperatures; 19 degrees Celsius in February and 29 degrees Celsius in August. The visibility is above average throughout the year; between 10 and 45 metres. This is a very popular dive sites so divers do need to keep in mind it can get crowded, so the earlier they dive, the less crowded it will be.

When it comes to spotting marine life, July to October, there is a higher chance to see Manta Rays and Stingrays. Hammerheads, which are star attraction here, are here year round.

Top Wildlife Sightings at Elphinstone

Usually a dive site like this would have a highlight, but at this dive site the entire area is the highlight. A stunning reef with soft and hard corals in pristine condition, Fan corals, Gorgonians, Annenomes and more. The reefs here really are an absolute canvas of every colour of the rainbow just shimmering with schools of fish. Elphinstone is known for its array of sharks which can be spotted here, with the two leading ladies being Hammerhead Sharks and Whitetip Reef Sharks. With sharks being a bucket list item for many divers, there are also other pelagic species including Tuna, Barracuda. There have even been Dolphin sightings here.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
3.4k Sightings
J
68
F
28
M
102
A
120
M
251
J
414
J
488
A
264
S
369
O
468
N
598
D
200

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
3.1k Sightings
J
44
F
52
M
119
A
189
M
288
J
343
J
313
A
258
S
299
O
467
N
493
D
243
Alamy/National Geographic Image Collection
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Oceanic Whitetip Shark
2.7k Sightings
J
49
F
0
M
0
A
43
M
93
J
165
J
157
A
116
S
186
O
677
N
929
D
301
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
2.3k Sightings
J
56
F
39
M
86
A
158
M
236
J
221
J
233
A
210
S
245
O
325
N
335
D
133

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
1.4k Sightings
J
16
F
7
M
85
A
114
M
146
J
170
J
197
A
93
S
145
O
192
N
193
D
52
AdobeStock/G Russel Childress
Great Hammerhead Shark

Great Hammerhead Shark
644 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
80
J
242
J
189
A
71
S
23
O
29
N
10
D
0
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
517 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
19
A
15
M
56
J
40
J
64
A
27
S
47
O
83
N
118
D
41
Alamy-Christian Zappel
Scalloped Hammerhead

Scalloped Hammerhead
244 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
29
J
80
J
99
A
26
S
10
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-wildestanimal
Common Dolphin

Common Dolphin
197 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
12
M
34
J
27
J
23
A
10
S
35
O
17
N
29
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
184 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
24
J
26
J
18
A
14
S
11
O
53
N
35
D
2
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
148 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
14
J
10
J
3
A
0
S
22
O
47
N
52
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
3.9k Sightings
J
77
F
51
M
191
A
250
M
363
J
403
J
433
A
303
S
359
O
551
N
615
D
308

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
3.9k Sightings
J
70
F
74
M
218
A
263
M
380
J
355
J
428
A
319
S
429
O
526
N
567
D
268

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
3.2k Sightings
J
42
F
33
M
155
A
204
M
324
J
320
J
377
A
267
S
322
O
503
N
460
D
224

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
3.1k Sightings
J
49
F
54
M
161
A
218
M
318
J
296
J
346
A
234
S
301
O
457
N
447
D
206

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
2.8k Sightings
J
37
F
32
M
128
A
173
M
284
J
282
J
326
A
203
S
294
O
425
N
416
D
208

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
2.5k Sightings
J
30
F
20
M
114
A
166
M
246
J
254
J
312
A
190
S
256
O
327
N
395
D
182

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
2k Sightings
J
24
F
19
M
69
A
145
M
207
J
193
J
193
A
150
S
197
O
266
N
329
D
159

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
1.8k Sightings
J
22
F
14
M
68
A
98
M
209
J
194
J
220
A
123
S
134
O
294
N
301
D
97

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
Tuna

Tuna
1.7k Sightings
J
25
F
0
M
61
A
148
M
208
J
288
J
233
A
95
S
112
O
173
N
213
D
131

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
1.7k Sightings
J
15
F
22
M
65
A
78
M
144
J
179
J
219
A
129
S
157
O
249
N
273
D
143

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
1.5k Sightings
J
12
F
10
M
79
A
94
M
158
J
148
J
169
A
78
S
145
O
244
N
256
D
57

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
1.3k Sightings
J
18
F
13
M
48
A
93
M
161
J
133
J
141
A
76
S
99
O
204
N
178
D
96

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
1.2k Sightings
J
6
F
5
M
33
A
60
M
154
J
130
J
181
A
57
S
115
O
178
N
207
D
71

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
1.1k Sightings
J
31
F
0
M
28
A
70
M
86
J
88
J
178
A
54
S
128
O
167
N
188
D
93

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
1.1k Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
53
A
66
M
91
J
116
J
87
A
75
S
115
O
176
N
204
D
59

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
1k Sightings
J
6
F
12
M
30
A
36
M
123
J
78
J
133
A
66
S
110
O
175
N
207
D
54

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
995 Sightings
J
0
F
9
M
37
A
51
M
85
J
110
J
147
A
57
S
107
O
172
N
173
D
47

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
790 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
24
A
10
M
41
J
100
J
99
A
82
S
85
O
143
N
176
D
28
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
698 Sightings
J
13
F
13
M
39
A
49
M
55
J
84
J
69
A
58
S
56
O
97
N
127
D
38

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
530 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
31
A
12
M
60
J
78
J
65
A
29
S
55
O
73
N
76
D
47

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
Cornetfish

Cornetfish
517 Sightings
J
10
F
4
M
0
A
25
M
36
J
49
J
30
A
28
S
48
O
78
N
151
D
58

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
433 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
8
A
35
M
63
J
70
J
58
A
13
S
25
O
72
N
49
D
39

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
428 Sightings
J
1
F
6
M
5
A
25
M
44
J
43
J
30
A
11
S
38
O
89
N
98
D
38

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
391 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
27
A
1
M
59
J
18
J
25
A
26
S
39
O
99
N
79
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
267 Sightings
J
1
F
4
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
10
J
43
A
25
S
30
O
75
N
63
D
15
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
116 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
16
M
42
J
45
J
13
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock-bearacreative
Emperor

Emperor
114 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
10
J
0
A
11
S
37
O
22
N
24
D
10

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