Marsa Alam, Red Sea, Egypt

Elphinstone Reef

Elphinstone Reef is an isolated, finger-shaped offshore reef 12 km north of Marsa Alam, oriented north–south and 300 metres long. Its near-vertical walls fall from the surface to over 70 metres on the eastern flank and to a celebrated 'Arch' at around 55 metres on the southern plateau, beyond which the reef plunges to abyssal depth. The site is internationally famous as one of the most reliable places in the world to encounter oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus), particularly between October and December when sharks gather around the reef tip. Hammerhead schools, grey reef sharks and silky sharks are regular, and seasonal sightings of thresher sharks and tiger sharks have been recorded. The walls are densely covered in gorgonian fans, black coral and dense soft corals. Currents are strong and unpredictable; the dive is normally run as a drift along one of the long walls and is suitable only for advanced divers. Visibility 30–40 metres. The site lies inside the Wadi El Gemal protected area buffer.