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ExpertBoat entry

Elphinstone Arch

Egypt
Depth beyond recreational limits50–60 m (164–197 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Elphinstone Arch at a glance

Elphinstone Arch is an expert boat dive site in Egypt with depths of 50–60 m (164–197 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Soft coral, Black coral, and Bluefin trevally. Recent reports put the water around 27°C (81°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:04

Forecast for this hour · 14:00 · run 18 h ago
0.2 m (0.8 ft)waves — under half a meter expected (waves — under a foot expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 27°C · seasonal avg 28°C ( · Forecast 81°F · seasonal avg 82°F)

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

All 5 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Mon
Mon7:00–19:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 5 kn wind (0.9 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Tue7:00–19:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.1 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Wed7:00–19:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 11 kn wind (1.0 ft waves · 11 kn wind)

Thu7:00–19:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 12 kn wind (1.2 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Fri7:00–19:00 favorable

0.3 m waves · 13 kn wind (1.0 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Sat7:00–19:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 7 kn wind (1.5 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

SunNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:21 · Sunrise 6:44 · Sunset 18:04 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.3 km from site · updated 25 Oct, 20:21 EEST

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Elphinstone Arch

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Soft coral, Black coral, Gorgonian fans
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. January, 72% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  2. February, 46% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  3. March, 71% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 23°C (73°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  4. April, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  5. May, 57% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 81% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.1 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.1 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 69% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 63% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  10. October, 73% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  11. November, 78% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  12. December, 82% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (77°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots

July has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

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.

Data updated June 2026

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

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