The Brothers Islands
Egypt's Premier Shark Diving Destination
Located in the southern Red Sea, approximately 70 kilometers offshore from the Egyptian mainland, The Brothers Islands are among the most famous and prestigious diving destinations in the world. This protected marine park consists of two remote islands: Big Brother and Little Brother, rising dramatically from deep waters reaching more than 800 meters.
Accessible mainly by liveaboard safari, The Brothers Islands are famous for their spectacular wall dives, strong currents, pristine coral reefs, historic shipwrecks, and unforgettable encounters with large pelagic marine life. Their remote location and untouched underwater environment make them one of the highlights of Southern Red Sea diving.
Big Brother Island
Big Brother is the larger of the two islands and is recognized by its historic lighthouse, built in 1883 to guide ships through the Red Sea. The island is surrounded by dramatic vertical walls covered with colorful hard and soft corals, creating some of the most impressive drift dives in Egypt.
Big Brother is also home to two legendary shipwrecks:
Numidia Wreck
The Numidia is one of the most famous wreck dives in the Red Sea. The British cargo ship sank in 1901 after striking the northern reef of Big Brother Island. Today, the wreck lies along the steep reef wall and is covered with beautiful coral growth, attracting divers from around the world.
The upper sections of the wreck can be explored by experienced divers, while deeper sections disappear into the blue, creating a spectacular underwater scene.
Aida Wreck
The Aida sank in 1957 on the western side of Big Brother Island. The remains of the ship are now part of the reef, covered with marine life and corals. This historic wreck offers an exciting dive combining exploration, history, and underwater beauty.
Little Brother Island
Located about two kilometers southeast of Big Brother, Little Brother Island may be smaller in size but offers some of the most exciting diving experiences in the Red Sea.
The island is famous for its untouched coral gardens, dramatic walls, sea fans, and frequent encounters with large pelagic species. Its remote location and excellent visibility make it a favorite destination for experienced divers searching for thrilling underwater adventures.
Diving Experience at The Brothers Islands
The Brothers Islands are known for their deep walls, open-water conditions, and exciting drift dives. The reefs drop vertically into the deep blue, creating perfect conditions for encounters with passing pelagic species.
Dive depths usually range from 10 to 40 meters, with much deeper areas beyond recreational diving limits.
Due to strong currents and challenging conditions, The Brothers Islands are recommended for Advanced Open Water divers and experienced drift divers. Good buoyancy control and experience with currents are important to fully enjoy this world-class dive destination.
Marine Life Around The Brothers
The Brothers Islands are internationally famous for their shark encounters and rich marine biodiversity. Divers may encounter:
- Oceanic Whitetip Sharks
- Hammerhead Sharks
- Grey Reef Sharks
- Tuna and Barracudas
- Giant Trevallies
- Napoleon Wrasse
- Large schools of Jacks
- Colorful reef fish
The walls are covered with beautiful hard corals, soft corals, and large sea fans, creating a thriving underwater ecosystem and one of the richest marine environments in the Red Sea.
Best Time to Dive The Brothers Islands
The Brothers Islands can be visited throughout the diving season, with different periods offering different marine encounters. Summer and autumn are often considered excellent seasons for pelagic sightings, while sea conditions always depend on weather and currents.
Because of the remote location and changing conditions, liveaboard trips provide the best way to experience the islands safely and comfortably.
Dive The Brothers Islands with Sea Crown
Sea Crown Liveaboards offer unforgettable diving expeditions to The Brothers Islands as part of selected Red Sea safari itineraries. Our experienced dive guides carefully plan each dive according to weather, currents, and sea conditions to provide safe and memorable experiences.
With legendary wrecks, dramatic walls, pristine coral reefs, and world-class shark encounters, The Brothers Islands remain one of the ultimate diving destinations in the Southern Red Sea.
