In the heart of the Red Sea, just off the coast of Marsa Alam in Egypt, lies a world-renowned diving destination: Elphinstone Reef.
A narrow, elongated reef, Elphinstone stretches for approximately 300 metres and offers stunning underwater landscapes which long made it a ‘must-visit’ for divers.
Its extraordinary visibility unveils a spectacular view of the vibrant marine life and intricate coral formations – a biodiversity that is nothing short of spectacular.
And this magnificent site is one that is easy to access. Our Simply The Best, Southern Solitude and Daedalus, Fury & Elphinstone liveaboard itineraries all provide a great chance to explore it while, for those who prefer a land base from which to enjoy their diving holidays, both our Wadi Sabarah (from where you can see the reef from your breakfast table!) and Port Ghalib centres are just perfectly placed to get you there with just a short journey.
Elphinstone is home to a plethora of marine species, ranging from the tiniest nudibranchs to the majestic pelagic fish. Divers often encounter schools of anthias and fusiliers, which paint the water in shades of yellow and blue. Larger species, such as trevallies and barracudas, are also common sights, patrolling the reef in search of prey.
One of the highlights of diving in Elphinstone is the possibility of encountering oceanic whitetip sharks. These magnificent creatures, with their distinctive rounded fins, are often seen cruising the reef’s outskirts.
And it’s not just the whitetip, the reef is a habitat for other shark species, including hammerheads and grey reef.
Elphinstone’s topography is as diverse as its marine life. The northern and southern plateaus, extending from the main reef, are adorned with soft and hard corals, creating a mesmerising underwater landscape. These plateaus are the main stages for shark encounters, where the deep blue acts as a backdrop for the elegant silhouettes of these predators.
The reef’s walls, dropping steeply into the abyss, are covered with a rich tapestry of soft corals, gorgonians, and sea fans. The interplay of light and shadow along these walls, coupled with the vibrant colours of the corals, makes for a truly enchanting dive experience.
Due to its open sea location and the potential for strong currents, the reef is best dived by those who are at least at an intermediate level and preferably more advanced.
These currents, however, are a blessing as they bring nutrient-rich waters that fuel the reef’s biodiversity and help make Elphinstone the truly special experience it is.
If you could like to find out more about diving at Elphinstone look through the itineraries mentioned or contact our amazing team on [email protected]