Elphinstone reef

Marsa Alam, Red Sea

Egypt

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 depth and currents, this dive is recommended for advanced and professional divers.

What to expect

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. Due to strong currents, it’s crucial to assess conditions before diving, making this site best suited for confident and experienced divers.

WILDLIFE ... or meet the locals

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.

Is there more to see? Let us know…

GET INVOLVED

Take part in a local project and make an impact. You’d be surprised at the opportunities available in conservation, even for non-divers. Citizen science is gaining momentum…

Is there more going on around?

Dive with locals

Choose the local knowlegde for your best experience

Related dive centers

Where is the dive site

Marsa Alam, Red Sea
Egypt
Local Airport: Marsa Alam

Rate the dive site

Dive smarter together—rate the site and share your insights!

There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.

Spread the word