Dive Site: Brothers Islands

About Brothers Islands

The Brothers Islands, comprising Big Brother and Little Brother, are an iconic dive destination in the Egyptian Red Sea, located approximately 100 kilometers offshore. These remote islands are celebrated for their dramatic vertical walls, vibrant coral gardens, and exceptional pelagic marine life, making them a must-visit for experienced divers. The sheer remoteness of the islands, far from the mainland, contributes to their pristine condition and the abundance of large marine species. Deep drop-offs and prevailing currents create an ideal environment for pelagic action, with regular sightings of various shark species. Big Brother Island, the larger of the two, features a historic lighthouse and offers diverse dive profiles, including a current-swept north wall and a more sheltered south plateau with coral caverns. The island is also home to two significant wrecks, the Aida and the Numidia, both encrusted with corals and attracting schooling fish. Little Brother Island, though smaller and more exposed, boasts breathtaking walls adorned with unspoiled hard and soft corals, with particularly strong currents at its northern tip. The islands' topography, characterized by deep walls and plateaus, supports a rich ecosystem ranging from schooling reef fish to apex predators. The underwater scenery is further enhanced by clouds of colorful anthias that swarm the reef walls. Access to these islands is typically via liveaboard, catering to advanced divers capable of handling variable conditions, including strong currents. The combination of pristine reefs, diverse marine life, and intriguing wrecks ensures an unforgettable diving experience.

Dive site facts: Brothers Islands

Depth

5–40 m

Typical dive

15–30 m, 45–60 min

Current

Moderate to very strong (0–4 knots)

Visibility

20–50 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Zodiac / negative entry

Level

Advanced (AOWD minimum, current experience essential)

Dive type

Wall, wreck, pelagic encounters

Night dive

Not permitted

Region / port

Red Sea / Hurghada

Coordinates

26.3167, 34.85

Conditions & Currents

The Brothers Islands are situated 100 km offshore in the central Red Sea, lacking fringing reefs or shallow lagoons to mitigate water movement. Currents can range from mild (0-1 knot) to very strong (3-4 knots), requiring active finning or leading to drift dives. Variability is common, with upwellings, especially at Little Brother's north tip, bringing cold, plankton-rich waters that attract pelagics but can also cause unpredictable conditions. Guides often brief for negative entries to manage strong currents on exposed walls, where ascending quickly after entry is crucial. Dive plans are adjusted daily based on real-time current strength and direction, with south walls and plateaus offering more sheltered options when currents are excessive at exposed tips. Divers must be proficient in managing currents, capable of maintaining depth, and prepared for potential last-minute changes to div

Marine life & sighting chances

Oceanic whitetip shark

March-November (peak June-August) · common

Scalloped hammerhead shark

March-November (peak June-August) · common

Grey reef shark

Year-round · common

Silvertip shark

Year-round · occasional

Thresher shark

March-November (early morning at Little Brother) · occasional

Manta ray

March-November · occasional

Napoleon wrasse

Year-round · common

Giant moray eel

Year-round · common

Barracuda

Year-round · common

Giant trevally

Year-round · occasional

Tuna

Year-round · occasional

Anthias

Year-round · common

Spinner dolphin

June-August · occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Brothers Islands primarily involves wall dives and wreck explorations, typically from Zodiacs. For Big Brother's north wall, expect a negative entry due to strong currents, descending immediately to a depth of 20-40 meters to encounter oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, and thresher sharks. The south plateau offers a more sheltered dive, starting around 15 meters and gradually descending to 30 meters, where you can explore coral caverns and spot grey reef sharks and Napoleon wrasse. For the wrecks, Aida and Numidia, dives typically range from 28-33 meters, circling the coral-encrusted structures. At Little Brother, the north wall can have intense currents and upwellings; an early morning dive before 7:00 am is often scheduled to search for thresher sharks at depths of 18-40 meters. The south wall of Little Brother, usually less current-affected, allows for exploration of soft coral gardens and schools of barracuda between 15-35 meters. Safety stops are often conducted in shallower areas along the reef top, which can be as shallow as 5 meters, allowing for extended observation of reef fish.

Underwater photography

Capturing the Brothers Islands' dramatic walls and abundant pelagics requires a wide-angle lens for sweeping reefscapes, shark action, and the Aida and Numidia wrecks. Due to strong and unpredictable currents, excellent buoyancy control is paramount to avoid damaging corals or disturbing marine life, especially around cleaning stations. External strobes are essential to bring back color at depth, particularly on the deep walls of both islands. During encounters with oceanic whitetips and hammerheads, maintain a respectful distance and avoid aggressive pursuit. Consider using a dome port for split shots near the surface to include the lighthouse on Big Brother. Given the consistent presence of strong currents, a camera rig that is easy to maneuver and secure is highly beneficial.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Daedalus Reef

  Frequently combined with Brothers Islands on liveaboard itineraries for hammerhead sightings.

• Elphinstone Reef

  Another remote reef known for pelagic encounters, often part of Brothers Islands liveaboard routes.

• St. Johns Reef

  Located further south, offers pristine reefs and varied marine life on extended liveaboard trips.

• Zabargad Island

  A southern Red Sea gem, known for its unique topography and marine life, sometimes included in longer itineraries.

Getting there & logistics

Access to the Brothers Islands is exclusively via liveaboard, typically departing from Hurghada. The closest international airport for transfers to Hurghada is Hurghada International Airport (HRG), with connections from major European cities. Flights from North America usually route through Cairo (CAI) before connecting to Hurghada. Liveaboard trips to the Brothers Islands generally last 7 nights/8 days and are often combined with other remote sites like Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone Reef. Divers are usually transferred from the main vessel to dive sites using Zodiacs. It is important to confirm visa requirements before travel, as some liveaboard operators include this in onboard charges. A minimum of 50 logged dives is often recommended for these itineraries due to the challenging conditions.

Safety & environment

Diving at the Brothers Islands requires a high level of experience due to strong and unpredictable currents, remote location, and deep dive profiles. Comprehensive dive insurance, including coverage for emergency evacuation and recompression chamber treatment, is mandatory. The nearest recompression chambers are in Hurghada or Marsa Alam, meaning evacuation can be lengthy. Divers must strictly adhere to guide instructions, especially regarding negative entries and drift diving protocols, and always maintain proper buddy contact. It's crucial to carry an SMB for every dive given the strong currents and potential for surface separation. Marine park regulations prohibit touching or interfering with marine life, and safe distances must be maintained from large pelagics, especially sharks. Dive plans may change on short notice due to current conditions, and divers should be prepared for flexibility.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Brothers Islands FAQ

Liveaboards diving Brothers Islands

These liveaboards may visit Brothers Islands on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests

$149/day

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests

$108/day

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests

$150/day

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests

$154/day

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m

$155/day

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests

$172/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$172/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$184/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/day

Star Jet

Egypt

28 guests35 m

$145/day

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m

$168/day

Amelie

Egypt

12 guests23 m

$115/day