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10 Days / 9 Nights Deep South - Elba Reef

Home / Itineraries 10 Days / 9 Nights Deep South - Elba Reef

Overview

This safari is a challenging long-distance route that covers almost the entire length of the Egyptian Red Sea from Marsa Alam to the Sudanese border. The focus is on remote offshore reefs and the chance of big fish (sharks, dolphins, manta rays) in exposed locations. The overnight trips are long but allow access to the most unspoilt and biodiverse dive sites in Egypt. It is best suited for experienced divers who are familiar with currents and deep dives.

Nearshore bays and reefs:
Abu Dabab is a large, shallow bay with sea grass. Shaab Sharm is an exposed reef with plateaus.

St Johns:
A cluster of offshore reefs (Habili Ali, Gota Kebir, etc.) with healthy hard and soft corals, drop-offs, canyons and caves.

Elba Reef:
Extremely remote and unspoilt triangular reef in the south (border area). Often strong currents, plateaus and steep walls.

Zabargad Island:
Volcanic island with unique topography. Offers coral dives as well as the wreck of the Khanka (or Neptuna) in a sheltered bay.

Fury Shoals:
Large, diverse reef system with sheltered lagoons, caves and offshore reefs. The reefs are often close together.

Elphinstone:
Famous, exposed offshore reef. Long reef with two deep plateaus (north/south) and steep walls. Often strong currents.

The time, sites and ports are subject to change at any time without prior notice due to weather conditions or other factors

Boat Schedule

Upcoming trip

    The time, sites and ports are subject to change at any time without prior notice due to weather conditions or other factors

    The Route

    Day 1

    • Arrival until evening
    • Check in
    • Overnight stay harbour

    Day 2

    • Check Dive Abu Dabab
    • Shaab Sharm
    • Overnight trip

    Day 3

    • St Johns
    • Overnight trip

    Day 4

    • Elba
    • Overnight trip

    Day 5

    • Zabargad
    • Overnight stay

    Day 6

    • St Johns
    • Overnight stay

    Day 7

    • St Johns
    • Overnight trip

    Day 8

    • Fury Shoals
    • Overnight stay

    Day 9

    • Elphinstone
    • Port Ghalib
    • Overnight stay harbour

    Day 10

    • Check out

    In the big lagoon of Sataya it is almost impossible not to meet dolphins. A little more luck it needs for Mobulas, the close relatives of the Mantas, who sometimes are likewise go. At the dropoff hammerheads, tiger sharks or Thunas are sometimes observed.

    One of the most famous dive sites at the edge of the Fury Shoals. At the impressive dropoff spectacular encounters with hammerhead sharks, manta rays or even tiger sharks are possible at any time.

    The Elphinstone is among divers a legend. Solitary offshore reef in elevation of about 100 meters. The diversity is huge. Highlights include encounters with Longimanus sharks and - yes to the season - hammerheads. The flow, however, can sometimes be tricky here.

    A very diversified large dive site with many variation possibilities. Overgrown beautiful, rich in fish and always good for several turtle encounters.

    A large system of caverns and caves invites the divers to the most exciting dive sites in the southern Red Sea. Cathedral Illustrative, light-filled halls provide an unforgettable experience.

    Shaab Sharm is a popular diving site located about 12 km off the coast of Marsa Alam, Egypt. It is a long, exposed reef with steep walls that drop to over 200 meters, making it rich in coral growth and marine life, though strong currents mean it is not suitable for beginners and night dives are not possible. It is a frequently visited location for divers on south Red Sea diving safaris.

    On the south side of the island, the reef slopes gently from 10 to 15 metres, followed by a beautifully overgrown, narrow plateau with bizarrely shaped coral blocks, before turning into a drop-off.
    There is a well-known, relatively intact wreck at the dive site, which starts at a shallow depth (approx. 1 metre) and extends to the sandy bottom at a depth of 24 metres.
    The underwater world is rich with hard and soft corals as well as large fish such as manta rays and hammerhead sharks.

    A collection of offshore reefs (Habili Ali, Gota Kebir, etc.) with healthy hard and soft corals, steep walls, canyons and caves.
    High diversity of fish. Large schools of fusiliers and snappers. Good chance of seeing grey reef sharks and sometimes hammerhead sharks.

    Elba Reef (or Gebel el-Tair), a very rare and remote dive site in the Halaib Triangle (border area). These reefs are only visited in very good weather conditions and on special, long safaris. They offer almost untouched plateaus and steep walls.

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