Scuba Diving In The Red Sea - Elphinstone Reef

Elphinstone Reef is undoubtedly one of the highlights of scuba diving in the Red Sea, and is widely recognised as being one of the best dive sites in the entire Red Sea region. The Elphinstone Reef is usually accessed either via a Red Sea liveaboard, or from one of the numerous day boats which leave from the nearby resort of Marsa Alam.

Located approximately 5 miles off the coast of Egypt at Marsa Abu Dabbab, Elphinstone Reef is in fact one large long reef, with walls which fall away to around 70 metres on either side. The diving on Elphinstone Reef is split into the Northern and Southern Plateau's, with the northern end offering a shallower option, and the southern end of the reef sloping away into the depths. At the northern end of the reef are two large pinnacles, which are deep at around 40-42 metres.

At the far end of Elphinstone Reef is the Sarcophagus Archway where legend dictates that an ancient pharoah lies beneath the arch in their sarcophagus. In fact, this is a large stone in the shape of a sarcophagus, which only more experienced, technical divers are likely to encounter due to it's depth (65m).

There is a good amount of both hard and soft coral covering Elphinstone Reef, as well as a good marine life population. On the reef, you are likely to encounter some large Napoleon Wrasse, as well as the resident Oceanic White Tip Shark and his accompanying Pilot Fish.

If you would like to find out more about the opportunities for scuba diving in the Red Sea, why not visit our main site, and take a look through the wide range of scuba diving holidays and destinations on offer.