Pfeiffer Reef

Pfeiffer Reef is a remote offshore reef located in the southern Red Sea near the Sudan border, in an area accessed primarily by liveaboard vessels. The reef lies within the Sudanese Red Sea zone and is part of the broader group of deep-water reefs that includes the celebrated Sha’ab Rumi, offering a similar combination of extraordinary marine biodiversity and minimal diving pressure.

Overview

Pfeiffer Reef is an elongated oval reef rising from deep water, with a shallow reef top at 5-10 meters and steep walls descending to 20 meters before continuing into the abyss. The reef is pristine and sees far fewer divers than the Egyptian northern reefs, resulting in an exceptionally healthy coral ecosystem with extensive hard coral coverage and minimal human impact. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 meters. Water temperatures in the southern Red Sea run slightly warmer year-round.

Site Information

• Location: Red Sea, Egypt/Sudan border region (southern Red Sea)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Maximum Depth: 20 meters
• Typical Visibility: 25-40 meters (80-130 feet)
• Current: Moderate, variable by season
• Best Time: October to May (liveaboard season)

Marine Life

The southern Red Sea reefs support exceptional shark diversity. Grey reef sharks patrol the reef perimeter and are commonly encountered here. Whitetip reef sharks rest under coral overhangs throughout the dive. Schools of hammerhead sharks have been reported at the reef tips during the winter season. humphead wrasse are large and abundant. Sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins are regular visitors. The reef walls support dense gorgonian sea fans and soft coral towers populated by anthias, glassfish, and basslets in huge numbers.

Dive Profile

Descend from the liveaboard tender to the reef top and follow the wall, descending to 15-20 meters where the gorgonians and shark activity concentrate. Work slowly around the perimeter, checking under overhangs for resting sharks. Ascend back to the reef flat for your safety stop. This reef benefits from multiple dives to explore the different faces thoroughly.

Entry and Exit

Access is exclusively by liveaboard vessel, reached after a multi-day passage from Marsa Alam or Port Sudan. Tender or Zodiac transfers to the dive site. Drift ascents may be required depending on current — carry SMB at all times.

Tips and Recommendations

• Plan for multiple dives across different faces of the reef — each has distinct character
• Dawn and dusk are prime times for shark activity at the reef tips
• Bring sufficient torch batteries — the deeper overhangs and crevices reward careful lighting
• The remote location means self-sufficiency is essential; carry complete safety equipment

Safety Considerations

The remote location far from medical facilities demands strict dive discipline. Stay within no-decompression limits and manage air conservatively. Shark encounters are common and should be treated calmly — maintain normal finning pace and avoid erratic movements. Currents can increase rapidly at the reef tips — have a pre-agreed abort signal with your buddy.

Photography

Pfeiffer Reef’s pristine conditions and shark density make it an outstanding photography destination. Wide-angle shark portraits against the blue water backdrop are the signature shots. The healthy soft corals and gorgonians provide stunning reef-scape backgrounds. Schooling fish and the sheer wall with blue water below offer powerful compositional elements for liveaboard photographers.

Sources: Divezone - Red Sea, Dive the World - Egypt Red Sea, Red Sea Scuba Diving, PADI - Diving in Egypt. Last updated 2026-04-04.