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Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals & the Deep SouthAdvanceddrop-off

Elphinstone Reef

Also known as Sha'ab Abu Hamra; Shaab Abu Hamra; Sha'b Abu Hamra; Elphinstone

North and south plateaux stepping down to ~40-42 m before near-vertical walls dropping several hundred metres

No detailed dive map yet

A close-up reef map of Elphinstone Reef will appear here when available.

North and south plateaux stepping down to ~40-42 m before near-vertical walls dropping several hundred metres. The 'Sarcophagus' - a coral-encrusted arch at 52-65 m off the southern tip, technical/advanced only. Memorial plaque to Arno Wallaard on the south plateau. Depth 5–40 m; day boat; Strong, typically running north to south at 2+ knots and liable to reverse unexpectedly; drift skills required current. Red Sea Protectorates / Marsa Alam–Wadi el Gemal marine park area; Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Red Sea Protectorates, with HEPCA involvement in mooring and site management.

Highlights

  • North and south plateaux stepping down to ~40-42 m before near-vertical walls dropping several hundred metres
  • The 'Sarcophagus' - a coral-encrusted arch at 52-65 m off the southern tip, technical/advanced only
  • Memorial plaque to Arno Wallaard on the south plateau

Marine life

  • oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) - peak October-December
  • scalloped hammerhead - summer at shallower depth, winter deeper than 60 m
  • grey reef shark
  • whale shark (occasional)
  • hawksbill turtle
  • Dendronephthya soft corals
  • anthias
  • bluecheek butterflyfish

Good to know

Best season
Oceanic whitetips October-December; hammerheads in summer
Protected status
Red Sea Protectorates / Marsa Alam–Wadi el Gemal marine park area; Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) Red Sea Protectorates, with HEPCA involvement in mooring and site management.
Fees
Red Sea marine park / environmental fees have been levied intermittently; HEPCA records that as of January 2011 'no fees collection at all except the entrance fees to Samadai reef'. Day-boat operators commonly bundle a marine-park charge into the trip price.

More sites in Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals & the Deep South

Abu Bassala

Sickle-shaped reef with coral columns, gullies and cracks running down to a sandy bottom at 15-20 m

Abu Dabbab I

Coral garden with pinnacles and a cave

Abu Dabbab II

Caves and swim-throughs

Abu Dabbab III

Hard-coral reef with a cave crossing and a coral garden

Helwa Ya Baladi

Dalida