The Brother Islands: Egyptian Red Sea Diving Hotspot
In the heart of the Egyptian Red Sea, roughly due east of El Quesir, lie the Brother Islands, known locally as “Al Akhawian.” These islands mark the gateway to the Southern Red Sea’s renowned dive destinations. From the endless blue horizon, the first sign of land is the historic lighthouse, erected by the British in the 19th century. This solitary structure stands as the sole evidence of human impact before the Brothers themselves emerge from the water. Born from deep-sea volcanic activity, these twin seamounts are a haven for exceptional wall diving, arguably the best the Red Sea offers. A week spent here is an immersion into a dynamic realm of rapid drift dives, encounters with large marine species, and dramatic vertical drops.
The Brother Islands itinerary is synonymous with the “Wrecks and Reefs of the Southern Red Sea.” Big Brother Island holds the wrecks of the Aida and Numidia. The Aida met its fate on Big Brother’s northwest point, succumbing to rough seas while attempting to resupply the lighthouse, breaking in two and sinking to 30 meters. The Numidia crashed into the island’s northern tip in 1901, precariously perched on the edge. While the bow above mid-ship has been lost to the reef, the remaining structure plunges into the abyss, resting on a ledge at approximately 90 meters – a captivating wreck dive accessible at any time of day.
Just to the south, Little Brother Island presents pristine reefs, richly decorated with expansive gorgonian fans. The Red Sea’s currents, flowing southward, bring a wealth of nutrients to these islands, nurturing astonishingly diverse marine life. The island’s sheer walls teem with large groupers, scorpionfish, resident Napoleon wrasse, and octopus. Schools of anthias, snapper, barracuda, and tuna congregate in the open water, while grey reef sharks patrol areas where currents converge. Spring months witness the arrival of hammerhead and silky sharks close to the walls, and summer brings oceanic whitetip sharks. Adding to this impressive shark diversity, thresher sharks are frequently observed during winter. With turtles gracing Big Brother and manta rays often seen around Little Brother, these islands are a true marine sanctuary in the vast ocean.
The Brother Islands itinerary is designed for experienced divers. As part of the officially protected Northern Marine Park, a minimum of 50 logged dives is generally required. The precipitous reef walls make this a superb location for technical diving. Night dives are not allowed, allowing for undisturbed enjoyment of the sunset over the distant mainland mountains, visible across the unobstructed horizon. Currents can be strong, making the use of a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) mandatory on every dive.
The Brother Islands itinerary, characterized by its remoteness, untamed nature, and occasional challenges, is truly exceptional. The wrecks are compelling, rewarding repeat visits throughout a week-long trip. The reefs are lush and abundant with fish, and regular sightings of large pelagic species guarantee consistently thrilling dives. For an intensely immersive diving experience, the Brother Islands and the Southern Red Sea offer an unparalleled underwater adventure, taking diving to an extraordinary level.
PLEASE NOTE:
This text is a sample description of a potential itinerary in this region of the Red Sea and the planned dive sites and proposed route should not be considered definitive. Weather conditions can impact all dive sites and the itinerary, and the final route and decisions about diving are ultimately at the sole discretion of the captain and dive guides.