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.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Elphinstone Reef

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.

11,914
Logs
6,187
Divers
29.0 m
⌀ Depth
25.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Elphinstone South

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.

6,652
Logs
4,378
Divers
29.0 m
⌀ Depth
26.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Elphinstone North

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!

5,552
Logs
3,801
Divers
32.0 m
⌀ Depth
26.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Abu Dabab II

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.

8,189
Logs
4,743
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Abu Dabab VI

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.

2,051
Logs
1,430
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
23.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★★ Abu Dabab V

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.

2,385
Logs
1,667
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
24.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Abu Dabab IV

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.

2,780
Logs
2,038
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
24.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Abu Dabab I

Beautiful coral garden, many coral blocks with amazingly colorful soft corals. Few little caves with beautiful light inside them. Approachable with boat or zodiac.

3,599
Logs
2,309
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
23.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Gota Hossam

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.

754
Logs
446
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
24.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Abu Dabab III

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

6,549
Logs
4,202
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
24.0 m
⌀ Visibility

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.

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.

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