Explore the Northern Red Sea and Brother Islands Dive Sites
Embark on a journey to experience some of the Red Sea’s most celebrated dive locations. This itinerary combines the allure of famous shipwrecks in the north with the breathtaking underwater landscapes surrounding the Brother Islands in the south. It’s a perfect choice for divers seeking variety, offering both world-class wreck exploration and pristine reef environments.
The northern segment of this dive plan focuses on the renowned wrecks around Abu Nuhas reef. Following this historical exploration, the itinerary shifts southward towards the Brother Islands, which are designated marine parks known for their spectacular underwater scenery. Expect stunning wall dives, captivating wreck dives, and an abundance of diverse marine life in this protected area.
- SS Thistlegorm (Shaab Ali): Widely recognized as the Red Sea’s most iconic wreck, the SS Thistlegorm is a 129-meter British freighter. It sank after being bombed by German aircraft on October 6, 1941. Resting on a sandy seabed at a maximum depth of 32 meters, it has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef teeming with marine organisms. Large schools of fish are a particularly common sight here.
- Abu Nuhas – The ‘Ships Graveyard’: Infamous as a ship trap, Abu Nuhas reef’s location near the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf of Suez has led to it claiming more vessels than any other reef in the region. The northern side is the resting place of four wrecks, all situated on a sandy bottom at the base of a sharply sloping reef adorned with table corals. Conversely, the southern side provides a sheltered anchorage for liveaboard vessels and is home to two coral formations known as Yellow Fish Reef.
- Giannis D (Abu Nuhas): This wreck lies at 26 meters depth, listing to its port side. The stern section remains largely intact, and the engine room is a highlight, often filled with glassfish.
- Carnatic (Abu Nuhas): A British P&O steamer that met its end on the reef in 1869. It rests at 29 meters, its entire structure now beautifully covered in a profusion of colorful soft corals. Glassfish, octopi, moray eels, jacks, and tuna are among the marine life that call this wreck home.
- Big Brother Island: Extending 400 meters in length, Big Brother Island is celebrated for both its exceptional wreck and wall diving. The Numidia wreck is positioned at the island’s northern tip, spanning depths from 10 to 80 meters. On the northwest side, you’ll find the Aida wreck. Coral and marine life densely populate every part of the reef surrounding this island.
- Small Brother Island: As its name suggests, Small Brother Island is the smaller of the two. Its perimeter is characterized by walls richly covered in soft corals. Dives here can present more challenging conditions but are ultimately very rewarding. Encounters with large pelagic fish are frequent, and the impressive forest of Gorgonian fan corals is a truly magnificent spectacle.
- Small Crack (Shaab Mahmoud): This dive site is a narrow fissure within the barrier reef of Shaab Mahmoud. Divers can drift along the outer wall, appreciating the vibrant corals and fish life. A sandy slope guides divers upwards and into the ‘crack’. When conditions are favorable, the current allows for an exhilarating ‘flight’ through this shallow 5-meter channel, exiting into a sandy lagoon.
- Gobal Island and Bluff Point: Situated at the entrance to the Straits of Gobal, ‘Bluff Point’ earns its name from the turbulent waters caused by strong currents impacting the island’s eastern wall. The wreck of the ‘Ulysses’ is located on the reef approximately 300 meters north of the lighthouse, beginning at 5 meters and sloping down to 25 meters. South of the lighthouse, ‘The Barge’ wreck offers a unique and interesting night diving experience. The skeletal remains of this wreck provide shelter for a variety of nocturnal marine creatures.
Important Notice:
Please be aware that the above itinerary is a sample outline for diving in this region of the Red Sea. The planned dive sites and proposed routes are not guaranteed. Weather conditions can influence all dive sites and the overall itinerary. The final route and decisions regarding diving are solely at the discretion of the boat captain and dive guides, prioritizing diver safety and optimal conditions.