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ExpertBoat entry

Elphinstone Arch

Elphinstone Reef, Marsa Alam offshore, Egypt
Depth beyond recreational limits50–60 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Elphinstone Arch at a glance

Elphinstone Arch is a expert boat dive site in Elphinstone Reef, Marsa Alam offshore, Egypt with depths of 50–60 m (164–197 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Gorgonian fans, Black coral, and Grey reef shark. Recent reports put the water around 30°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 4h ago
0.2 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 30°C · seasonal avg 30°C

Site hazards: Depth beyond recreational limits · Overhead environment · Strong currents

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sat
Sun9:00–20:00
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:39 · Sunrise 6:04 · Sunset 19:29

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.3 km from site · graded 4h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Gorgonian fans, Black coral, Glassfish
Best time: May to October

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan72%24°C1.1 m
  2. Feb46%23°C1.3 m
  3. Mar71%23°C1.0 m
  4. Apr67%24°C1.0 m
  5. May57%25°C1.1 m
  6. Jun81%27°C0.9 m
  7. Jul92%30°C0.7 m
  8. Aug69%31°C1.0 m
  9. Sep63%30°C1.1 m
  10. Oct73%28°C1.1 m
  11. Nov78%27°C0.9 m
  12. Dec82%25°C1.0 m

July hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • Gorgonian fansCommonly seen
  • Black coralCommonly seen
  • Grey reef sharkOccasionally seen
  • GlassfishCommonly seen
  • Soft coralsCommonly seen
  • GroupersOccasionally seen
  • Bluefin trevallyOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

On the southern plateau lies the legendary Elphinstone Arch, a roughly 10m-high tunnel that pierces the reef and connects the eastern and western walls at a depth beyond 50m. It is well outside recreational limits and should only be penetrated by properly trained technical divers. The arch is steeped in local legend and is one of the Red Sea's most famous deep features.

Depth beyond recreational limits

Overhead environment

Strong currents

Down-currents

Narcosis risk

Reviews

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