Exploring the Underwater Paradise: A Dive Guide to the Brother Islands, Egypt - Dive Sites and Best Liveaboards
The Brother Islands, located off the coast of Egypt, are a true diver's paradise. With crystal clear waters and a diverse array of marine life, these islands offer some of the best diving in the world. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, the Brother Islands offer something for everyone. In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide to diving on the Brother Islands, including information on the top dive sites, the best liveaboards, and tips for making the most of your diving experience. From schools of colorful fish to breathtaking coral formations, the underwater world of the Brother Islands is truly a sight to behold.
Recommendations for diving at the Brother Islands
Depending on which diving conditions you prefer, in general the best time to dive at the Brother Islands is between June/July up to and including November.
For a diving trip to the Brother Islands, we recommend the Sea Serpent Grand liveaboard. This vessel is one the best liveaboards available in Egypt and visits the Brother Islands on a regular basis. Experience a one-of-a-kind diving adventure on the M/Y Sea Serpent Grand, a 45m luxury liveaboard vessel. This impressive boat can host up to 28 divers in its 14 en-suite cabins, including 2 suites boasting panoramic views. The new hull design ensures a smooth and stable journey, as well as a comfortable stay with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, entertainment system, and a sun deck with shaded areas. Join the M/Y Sea Serpent Grand and discover the Red Sea's hidden gems in style.
Price: a trip with the Sea Serpent Grand starts at EUR 143 a day. Check here the latest availability and pricing.
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Best Liveaboards to the Brother Islands
If you plan to discover the underwater wonders of this Egypt dive destination, here are the three liveaboards you can choose from to enjoy scuba diving at the Brother Island.
Liveaboard 1: Sea Serpent Grand
The Sea Serpent Grand is a large and luxurious boat that takes people diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea in Egypt. It's 45 meters long and has 14 rooms for guests to stay in. Each room has its own bathroom, air conditioning, music, refrigerator and a shower with strong water pressure. Guests can choose from 8 standard rooms on the lower deck, 4 rooms with two beds on the upper deck with ocean views, and 2 larger rooms on the main and upper deck with nice views and more space. The boat has a new design that makes the ride smooth and steady, and there's free Wi-Fi for guests to use.
Divers will like the Nitrox for diving and it's free for certified divers. There's also a Helium/Oxygen Blending Station and a Haskel pump for technical diving.
Price: a trip with the Sea Serpent Grand starts at EUR 143 a day. Check here the latest availability and pricing.
Liveaboard 2: Sea Serpent Contessa
The 34m Sea Serpent Contessa is a luxury 5-star yacht that offers unparalleled diving experiences in the Red Sea. The spacious vessel boasts ample room for rest and relaxation, with a salon on the upper deck that features a full entertainment system and leads to the dining area, where delicious meals are served alongside the views of the Red Sea. Guests can also unwind on the partially shaded sun deck. The Sea Serpent Contessa accommodates up to 24 divers in 12 cabins, each equipped with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms.
Divers will appreciate the dive platform aboard the Sea Serpent Contessa, which offers plenty of space for gear storage and kitting up. The knowledgeable and experienced crew of the Sea Serpent Contessa will guide you through the underwater wonders of the Red Sea.
Price: a trip with the Sea Serpent Contessa starts at EUR 124 a day. Check here the latest availability and pricing.
Liveaboard 3: Blue
The MY Blue is a 43-meter luxury liveaboard vessel that takes you on an unforgettable journey through the crystal-clear waters of the Egyptian Red Sea. With modern amenities, comfortable cabins, and a spacious deck, this vessel is designed to provide a first-class diving experience for 24 guests.
Choose from one of the 12 cabins available, including 8 lower deck cabins with special light shaft technology that provides extra brightness and a relaxing atmosphere. Each cabin boasts two separate beds, an en-suite bathroom with a shower, toilet, and hairdryer, a TV/DVD combo, individually controlled air conditioning, and ample storage space for your belongings.
For a more breathtaking view, opt for one of the 4 upper deck cabins with sea view, which feature either double or twin beds. And for the ultimate luxury, there's a 12-square-foot suite located on the main deck.
The MY Blue also offers guests a modern salon with an entertainment system and a dining area where 3 freshly prepared meals a day will be served, along with assorted snacks between dives, soft drinks, water, tea, and coffee. Relax on the top deck on the partially shaded sun deck while enjoying the sea breeze.
Price: a trip with the Blue starts at EUR 165 a day. Check here the latest availability and pricing.
The Best Dive Sites at the Brother Islands
The Brother Islands, located in the Red Sea, Egypt, are known for their rich marine life and challenging diving conditions. Some of the popular dive sites at the Brother Islands include
Dive site 1: Big Brother Island
This island is known for its steep walls, caves, and overhangs that are home to a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, tuna, and barracuda. The site is also known for its strong currents, making it a popular spot for experienced divers. One of the popular dive sites here is the Shark Observatory, which is a great spot for shark encounters. The entry point is on the east side of the island. Additionally, there are many other dive sites around Big Brother Island that offer a unique diving experience such as the "Eagle" and "Satan's Finger" dive sites, both known for their beautiful coral formations and the opportunity to see a wide variety of marine life. Diving conditions recommended for diving at Big Brother Island are for experienced divers only, and a minimum depth of 30 meters is recommended.
Dive site 2: Small Brother Island
This island is known for its clear waters, healthy coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life, including sharks, rays, and pelagics. Dive sites here include the Shark Observatory, the Aida Wreck, the Black Forest, and the Numidia Wreck. Diving conditions at Small Brother Island are recommended for experienced divers, and the recommended diving depth is 18-30 meters.
Dive site 3: Aida Wreck
The Aida is a 90-meter long cargo ship that sank in the early 1900s. The wreck is located near Small Brother Island and is now a popular diving spot, known for its rich marine life, including schools of snapper and trevally, and its healthy coral growth. Diving conditions at the Aida Wreck are recommended for experienced divers, and the recommended diving depth is 30 meter.
Dive site 4: Numidia Wreck
The Numidia is a 120-meter long cargo ship that sank in the early 1900s. The wreck is located near Big Brother Island and is now a popular diving spot, known for its rich marine life, including Schools of Barracudas and Snappers. Diving conditions at the Numidia Wreck are recommended for experienced divers, and the recommended diving depth is 30 meters.
Dive site 5: Black Forest
This dive site is located on Small Brother Island and is known for its healthy coral growth and diverse marine life. Diving conditions at Black Forest are recommended for experienced divers, and the recommended diving depth is 18-30 meters.
It's important to note that these dive sites are only accessible by liveaboard and that the Brother Islands are a protected area, diving is only allowed on certain days of the week and at certain times of the year to protect the marine environment. It's recommended to check with the local dive centers or liveaboard operators for the most up-to-date information on diving restrictions and the best time to dive, and it's also essential to follow the diving conditions and the recommended diving depths for safety reasons.
Dive site 6: Satan’s Finger
This dive site is located on Big Brother Island and is known for its unique underwater feature, a large pinnacle that rises from the seabed to a depth of around 30 meters. The site is named for its resemblance to a finger, and the surrounding waters are known for their strong currents, making it a popular spot for experienced divers. The site is also home to a wide variety of marine life, including sharks, tuna, and barracuda, as well as healthy coral growth and large schools of fish. Diving conditions at Satan's Finger are recommended for experienced divers, and the recommended diving depth is 30 meters.
Dive site 7: Eagle
This dive site is located on Small Brother Island and is known for its clear waters, healthy coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life, including sharks, rays, and pelagics. The site is named for the large schools of eagle rays that can be seen here, as well as the occasional manta ray. The site also offers divers the opportunity to explore a small shipwreck, which is home to a variety of marine life and healthy coral growth. Diving conditions at Eagle are recommended for experienced divers, and the recommended diving depth is 18-30 meters.
How to get to The Brother Islands
The Brothers Islands dive site is remotely located at about 150 km Southeast of Hurghada and 125 km North of Marsa Alam.
The most popular way to reach the Brother Islands is by taking a liveaboard trip from Hurghada or Marsa Alam. These trips typically last for several days and offer multiple diving opportunities at the Brother Islands and other nearby dive sites.
