Andrea L.
GermanyOpen Water Diver
May 1, 2026
Currents were ripping but the rewards were worth it. Saw 4 different shark species.
21 people found this helpful
Shark DiveOceanic WhitetipsAdvanced
Elphinstone Reef - Walls & Sharks
Elphinstone is the shark dive of Marsa Alam and one of the most famous dives in the entire Red Sea, drawing divers from all over the world. This legendary offshore plateau drops into deep blue on every side, where oceanic whitetips, scalloped hammerheads in season, grey reef sharks, and passing reef mantas patrol sheer walls.
4.9/5(210 reviews)
Elphinstone Reef, 30 km north of Marsa Alam (12 km offshore)DurationFull Day
Dives2
Skill LevelCertified Divers
Group SizeMax 10
LocationElphinstone Reef, 30 km north of Marsa Alam (12 km offshore)
Elphinstone Reef . Gallery
9 photos
About this trip
Elphinstone Reef is the icon of Marsa Alam diving and one of the most renowned dives in the whole Red Sea, a true bucket-list site that experienced divers travel from all over the world to dive. A 300-metre-long, narrow plateau roughly 30 km north of Marsa Alam town and 12 km off the coast drops into deep blue on all sides, with walls covered in soft corals, gorgonians, and resident reef life. The north and south plateaus deliver some of the most reliable big-animal encounters in the Red Sea: oceanic whitetip sharks (Oct to Dec), scalloped hammerheads in the summer season, grey reef sharks year-round, plus reef mantas and other pelagics passing through in spring. Currents can be strong; this is a trip for certified divers with some open-water experience.
Trip Highlights
The shark site
Oceanic whitetips, grey reefs, hammerheads
Dramatic walls
70+ m vertical drop
Big pelagics
Tuna, barracuda, eagle rays
Speedboat access
Fast 45-min ride
What's Included
Included
- 2 tanks
- Dive guide
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- Bottled water
- Snacks
Not Included
- Full rental equipment
- Lunch
- Nitrox
- Insurance
- Tips
A Day in Detail
- 05:00 / 10:00
Hotel pickup
Departure time depends on the sea conditions and confirmed speedboat slot.
- 06:00 / 11:00
Speedboat departure
- 07:00 / 12:00
Dive 1 - South plateau
- 11:00
Surface break
- 12:00
Dive 2 - North plateau or drift along the wall
- 15:00
Return to marina & hotel drop-off
Marine Life You May See
Wild animals - sightings are likely, not guaranteed. We never bait, chase, or surround.
Oceanic whitetip shark
HammerheadGrey reef sharkTunaBarracuda
Eagle rayReef manta rayWhere you'll dive
Elphinstone Reef, 30 km north of Marsa Alam (12 km offshore)
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Real reviews . Real divers
What divers say about Elphinstone Reef
4.8/5. 19 curated reviews
Google
Jakub M.
PolandRescue Diver
Mar 28, 2026
Hammerheads at the cleaning station in the morning. Magical.
35 people found this helpful
Sabine W.
Germany
Mar 17, 2026
Hammerheads on the plateau, oceanic whitetips on the wall, soft corals curtaining down. Iconic.
49 people found this helpful
Page 1 of 7 . 19 total reviews
Reviews are sourced from publicly available Google Maps and TripAdvisor entries for Elphinstone Reef. We have not edited the substance, only formatted for readability. Click "View all on Google Maps" to read every review and post your own.
Frequently Asked
- October to December offers the highest probability, especially around full moons. We don't bait or feed - encounters are wild and unpredictable.
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