Elphinstone Reef North

Elphinstone Reef North is the famous hammerhead pinnacle of the northern plateau — a coral-topped promontory extending into deep water off Marsa Alam, where morning currents attract scalloped hammerhead schools that rise from the blue in formations of dozens or more. The plateau tops out at 20 meters and the reef continues straight down past 100 meters, creating the classic Red Sea pinnacle geometry that pelagic sharks and tuna use as a hunting and cleaning station. Morning dives on the north plateau are the Red Sea's premier hammerhead opportunity. Divers descend quickly to the plateau's edge at 25-30 meters and scan the blue for the silhouettes of schooling hammerheads patrolling the current. The pinnacle also hosts resident grey reef sharks, giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and the occasional silvertip — the kind of pelagic encounter that defines Egypt's southern reefs. The coral garden on the plateau itself is superb. Table corals, staghorn colonies, and massive pore corals blanket the hard substrate, while anthias swarm in orange clouds overhead. Napoleon wrasse, groupers, hawksbill turtles, and Red Sea regulars like butterflyfish and parrotfish populate the reef. Descents along the walls reveal gorgonian fans, black coral, and colorful soft coral colonies. Elphinstone North is advanced-only: strong currents are routine, depths reach 30+ meters, and the offshore location requires day boats from Marsa Alam or a liveaboard. Advanced Open Water plus Nitrox is strongly recommended, and drift-diving experience is essential. Peak season runs from June through November, with hammerhead encounters most reliable in the early morning hours when the sharks rise from deeper waters to use the cleaning stations on the pinnacle.