Elphinstone Reef

Divesite Image
© SSI Service Center Egypt, 84517 Hurghada
Divesite Image
© Urs W. (#1838657)
Divesite Image
© Hans E. (#3545391)
Divesite Image
© Mahmoud T. (#3858064)

Elphinstone Reef

★★★★☆ (10,397)

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.

The dive site location, environment, and reef formation makes this site one of the most important locations for sharks such as the oceanic whitetip and hammerhead shark.

Dive Activity

Courses and 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!

September 28, 2026 +1 More
$381.28
€330.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

Alamy/National Geographic Image Collection
Oceanic Whitetip Shark

Oceanic Whitetip Shark
1.3k Sightings
J
26
F
0
M
0
A
29
M
34
J
72
J
61
A
55
S
97
O
304
N
482
D
134

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
1.3k Sightings
J
37
F
15
M
34
A
50
M
73
J
154
J
137
A
108
S
155
O
177
N
259
D
87

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
526 Sightings
J
14
F
17
M
27
A
38
M
38
J
45
J
48
A
44
S
44
O
73
N
84
D
54
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
478 Sightings
J
0
F
11
M
20
A
31
M
27
J
44
J
34
A
42
S
47
O
79
N
98
D
45

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
335 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
15
A
44
M
25
J
42
J
41
A
35
S
44
O
42
N
30
D
17
AdobeStock/G Russel Childress
Great Hammerhead Shark

Great Hammerhead Shark
307 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
39
J
117
J
79
A
38
S
11
O
13
N
10
D
0
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
166 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
19
J
13
J
12
A
14
S
16
O
24
N
46
D
22
AdobeStock-wildestanimal
Common Dolphin

Common Dolphin
131 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
12
M
13
J
15
J
11
A
10
S
24
O
17
N
19
D
10
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
66 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
10
J
0
A
0
S
11
O
23
N
22
D
0
Alamy-National Geographic Creative
Leatherback Turtle

Leatherback Turtle
41 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
0
S
0
O
13
N
18
D
0
Alamy-Christian Zappel
Scalloped Hammerhead

Scalloped Hammerhead
34 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
15
J
19
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.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
961 Sightings
J
26
F
18
M
46
A
47
M
66
J
103
J
94
A
93
S
88
O
137
N
169
D
74

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
655 Sightings
J
15
F
0
M
27
A
62
M
70
J
110
J
68
A
47
S
48
O
75
N
80
D
53

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
497 Sightings
J
0
F
10
M
24
A
39
M
43
J
45
J
52
A
50
S
52
O
64
N
75
D
43

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
481 Sightings
J
0
F
10
M
29
A
37
M
34
J
36
J
44
A
53
S
60
O
52
N
81
D
45

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
429 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
22
A
31
M
34
J
46
J
40
A
49
S
51
O
50
N
65
D
41

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
406 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
18
A
23
M
36
J
47
J
37
A
37
S
51
O
53
N
65
D
39

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
364 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
13
A
31
M
27
J
32
J
42
A
38
S
47
O
36
N
60
D
38

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
347 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
0
A
20
M
31
J
29
J
38
A
21
S
49
O
46
N
60
D
41

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
315 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
24
M
31
J
31
J
32
A
33
S
38
O
32
N
60
D
34

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
294 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
13
A
21
M
24
J
33
J
28
A
38
S
29
O
31
N
51
D
26

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
260 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
15
A
20
M
21
J
21
J
27
A
30
S
36
O
29
N
42
D
19

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
235 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
11
A
25
M
14
J
20
J
15
A
33
S
33
O
30
N
36
D
18

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
200 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
13
M
13
J
19
J
22
A
19
S
29
O
27
N
34
D
24

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
169 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
11
M
15
J
19
J
15
A
20
S
25
O
18
N
27
D
19

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
168 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
16
M
0
J
21
J
19
A
16
S
26
O
17
N
37
D
16

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
165 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
11
M
13
J
15
J
25
A
25
S
22
O
14
N
22
D
18

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
148 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
15
J
24
J
14
A
16
S
20
O
23
N
15
D
21

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
131 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
14
M
11
J
12
J
0
A
14
S
15
O
10
N
29
D
26

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
116 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
10
J
14
A
23
S
18
O
24
N
14
D
13

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
105 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
10
A
0
M
0
J
12
J
0
A
12
S
12
O
18
N
26
D
15

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
74 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
10
J
0
A
11
S
23
O
10
N
10
D
10
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
64 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
16
M
22
J
26
J
0
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.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
55 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
15
S
11
O
11
N
18
D
0
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
50 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
12
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
14
N
24
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 2

iStock-stock_colors
Tarpon

Tarpon
40 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
14
J
0
A
0
S
16
O
0
N
0
D
10

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
36 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
10
J
12
A
0
S
0
O
14
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Extra Divers El Quseir, Mövenpick Resort

Extra Divers El Quseir, Mövenpick Resort

Mövenpick Resort, 84712 El Quseir, Egypt
Extra Divers Fayrouz

Extra Divers Fayrouz

Three Corners Fayrouz Plaza Resort, 00000 3 km South of Port Ghalib, Egypt
Ducks Diving Quesier

Ducks Diving Quesier

Rohanou Beach Resort, 84712 El Quesier, Egypt
SeaWorld Paradise Diving Center

SeaWorld Paradise Diving Center

Novotel Marsa Alam Beach Resort, Marsa Alam Marsa Alam, Egypt

Diving.DE Abu Dabab

30 km South of Marsa Alam Airport, 00000 Marsa Alam, Egypt

Werner Lau

The Oasis Dive Resort, El Quseir Road, KM 20, 1920210 Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt

Sea World Diving Center

Three Corners Sea Beach, 0100 Marsa Alam, Egypt

Orca Dive Club Moreen Beach

Concorde Moreen Beach Hotel Marsa Alam, 00000 Marsa Alam, Egypt

Extra Divers Equinox

Three Corners Equinox, 26694 Marsa Alam, Egypt

Blue Submarine diving center Happy Life Hotel, Blue Submarine diving centers Happy Life

marsa alam happy life hotel _Kilo 32 South, 0000 Marsa Alam, Egypt

Deep South Divers, Marsa Alam Diving Center

68 street Downtown, Marsa Alam, Red Sea, 85721 Red Sea, Egypt

ORCA Dive Club Shoni Bay

ORCA Dive Club Shoni Bay, 0000 Marsa Alam, Egypt

Master Liveaboards, Master Liveaboards Red Sea Fleet

Villa 5, Eng Ahmed Rafaat St, 1111 Hurghada, Egypt

Dive Sites Nearby

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!
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.
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.
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, 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.