Elphinstone Reef - Deep South

Elphinstone is a classic Red Sea deep dive, a narrow, torpedo-shaped reef that drops away to over 29m on both sides. We often drift the length of it, scanning the blue for oceanic whitetips and hammerheads, especially in early morning. The coral cover on the plateau and walls is healthy, with plenty of anthias and fusiliers. It’s a good spot for intermediate divers comfortable with depths and potential currents, offering reliable encounters with larger pelagics.

Location
Deep South, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
25.309600, 34.860400
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
29m
Difficulty
Intermediate

Best Time to Dive in Deep South

The warmest water temperatures in Deep South occur in January, averaging 22.7°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 22.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 22.7°C (air: 19.1°C)
  • February: 22.7°C (air: 19.5°C)
  • March: 22.7°C (air: 22.3°C)
  • April: 22.7°C (air: 26.3°C)
  • May: 22.7°C (air: 29.7°C)
  • June: 22.7°C (air: 32.9°C)
  • July: 22.7°C (air: 33.7°C)
  • August: 22.7°C (air: 34.1°C)
  • September: 22.7°C (air: 32.6°C)
  • October: 22.7°C (air: 28.5°C)
  • November: 22.7°C (air: 24.5°C)
  • December: 22.7°C (air: 21.4°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Deep South

Nearest Dive Centres to Elphinstone Reef

Marine Life in Deep South

Home to 63 recorded species including 30 reef fish, 10 seagrass & algae, 8 whales & dolphins, 6 hard corals, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 sharks & rays.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Elphinstone Reef

Based on average water temperature of 22.7°C.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 23°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories