Elphinstone Reef South

Elphinstone Reef South is the pelagic-rich southern tip of the legendary Elphinstone pinnacle off Marsa Alam — a coral plateau at 30-40 meters where oceanic whitetip sharks patrol the edge and the famous Arch, a natural underwater cavern at 52 meters, draws experienced divers from around the world. The site is among the Red Sea's most thrilling drift dives and a near-certain bet for encounters with large pelagic species during peak season. The southern plateau is traversed as a drift dive along the reef's edge, with divers holding at 30-35 meters to scan the blue for oceanic whitetips, silvertips, and grey reef sharks. Enormous schools of dogtooth tuna, bigeye trevally, barracuda, and fusiliers patrol the plateau's perimeter, while resident giant groupers and Napoleon wrasse inhabit the coral heads. Manta rays make seasonal appearances in late summer. The Arch at 52 meters is an underwater cathedral — a natural tunnel carved through the reef's southern point, ceiling encrusted with soft corals, floor scattered with black coral bushes. It is the realm of technical and properly certified deep divers only; recreational divers enjoy equally spectacular views of the plateau and walls above. Conditions are demanding. Currents routinely exceed two knots, down-currents occur along the southern wall, and open-water conditions can turn quickly. The dive is boat-accessed from Marsa Alam and liveaboards from Port Ghalib and Hurghada. Advanced Open Water, drift experience, and Nitrox are strongly recommended. Oceanic whitetip season peaks October and November when water temperatures cool to around 25°C and the sharks become highly visible near the surface and mid-reef levels.