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Dive Marsa Alam - Premium Red Sea Diving
Underwater view of Elphinstone Reef, Marsa Alam Red Sea

Marsa Alam North · Boat Dive

Elphinstone Reef

The icon of Marsa Alam diving. A long, narrow plateau (around 300 m by 30 m) running roughly north–south in open water 30 km north of Marsa Alam town and 12 km off the coast.

Depth

5-70m

Level

Advanced

Access

Boat Dive

Visibility

25-40m

Current

Strong current

About this site

The icon of Marsa Alam diving. A long, narrow plateau (around 300 m by 30 m) running roughly north–south in open water 30 km north of Marsa Alam town and 12 km off the coast. The plateau tops out at 5–8 m and drops away on both sides as sheer walls; the southern tip plunges into the famous arch at 55–80 m. Soft-coral curtains, schooling fusiliers, and the Red Sea's most reliable shark action — oceanic whitetips in late autumn, hammerheads in summer.

Highlights

  • Vertical walls plunging past 70 m
  • Oceanic whitetip sharks Oct–Dec
  • Hammerheads Jun–Sep
  • Southern arch at technical depth
  • Dense soft-coral curtains and fan gardens

Marine life

Oceanic whitetip sharkScalloped hammerheadGrey reef sharkSilvertip sharkTunaBarracudaEagle rayNapoleon wrasse

Location

25.3086°N, 34.8603°E · ~30 km north of Marsa Alam

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Real reviews . Real divers

What divers say about Elphinstone Reef

4.5/528 Google reviews
View all on Google Maps

PZ

May 2026

Google

If there were a way to give 10 stars, Elphinstone Reef would deserve every single one of them! Every time we visit Elphinstone, it delivers something spectacular. The reef is absolutely breathtaking, packed with vibrant marine life, stunning coral formations, and endless underwater action. No two dives are ever the same, which is exactly why we keep coming back. Our most unforgettable experience was in December when we had an incredible close encounter with a Longimanus (oceanic whitetip shark). Seeing such a magnificent animal from so close was both thrilling and humbling. It was one of those moments that reminds you why you fell in love with diving in the first place. Elphinstone seems to have a magical rule: if you arrive expecting something amazing, it will exceed your expectations anyway! From curious reef inhabitants to big pelagic surprises, this place never disappoints. For divers, Elphinstone isn’t just a dive site, it’s an addiction. The only downside is that every reef you visit afterward has a very hard act to follow! Can’t wait to come back and see what surprises Elphinstone has waiting for us next. 🦈🌊🤿

Marta Stashevska

Jun 2025

Google

One of the most thrilling dives I’ve ever done. Elphinstone Reef offers stunning drop-offs, vibrant soft corals, and a real chance to see oceanic whitetip and hammerhead sharks. Currents can be strong, so it’s best for experienced divers. I joined a liveaboard to beat the crowds and catch early morning dives—totally worth it. Visibility was fantastic, and every dive felt like an adventure. A must-do Red Sea site if you're into big fish and deep wall diving.

S. Diggelmann

Apr 2018

Google

Awesome reef for diving. Alot of fish and coral.

Nicolas De Smyter

Nov 2022

Google

Very nice location to go diving. When we were here, there was a lot of things we got to see. It of course depends on different factors what you actually see, but it is definitely worth to do a couple of dives here.

Ismail Zohdy

Oct 2022

Google

Best dive site with sharks in the red sea I dont recommend going with a speed boat from shore if wind is more than 18 knots - its usually 18 knots Sharks are amazing and you get to sea oceanic white tip sharks - long manous - and hammer head sharks along with tiger sharks If you are not an experienced diver then its not recommended

Public Google reviews of Elphinstone Reef as a dive site - they describe the location itself, not a specific trip with us.

Book a trip to this site

Oceanic whitetip shark patrolling the reef wall at Elphinstone, Marsa Alam, Red Sea
Oceanic whitetip sharkShark Dive
Full Day
2 dives

Elphinstone Reef

A world-class Red Sea shark dive: oceanic whitetips, seasonal hammerheads, reef mantas, and sheer blue walls.

Elphinstone Reef, 30 km north of Marsa Alam (12 km offshore)
9hMax 10Certified
2 tanksDive guideHotel pickup & drop-off

From

€120/diver

Details
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