The Brothers

Brothers Islands: offshore walls, two wrecks and possible sharks

Big Brother and Little Brother rise from deep water in Egypt’s central Red Sea. The appeal is the combination of coral-covered walls, fish moving through the blue and two substantial wrecks on Big Brother. This is an offshore liveaboard destination for divers comfortable with current, depth awareness and boat pickups.

Sharks are one reason many divers choose the Brothers, but a worthwhile visit should not depend on a particular species appearing. The reef itself offers colour, structure and fish life even when the blue stays quiet.

Little Brother

Little Brother’s steep sides are covered with hard and soft corals and gorgonians. Its northern plateau is commonly described around 40 metres, near the outer limit of recreational diving rather than a target that every visitor should reach. The walls continue much deeper, so the plateau is only one feature within a much larger underwater landscape.

Enjoy the wall at the depth agreed in your briefing, without following fish down or away from the reef. Grey reef sharks and other pelagics may be seen, but sightings and the appropriate route depend on conditions. The ascent and pickup plan deserve as much attention as the start of the dive.

Big Brother

Big Brother is the island with the lighthouse and the Numidia and Aida wrecks. Its walls offer another perspective on the same offshore environment, with soft corals, reef fish and possible pelagic visitors. Neither island can reliably be labelled “the coral one” or “the big-fish one”; both have more to offer than that simple split.

Oceanic whitetips, hammerheads and threshers are among the possible encounters reported by liveaboard operators. They are wild animals, not an itinerary inclusion. Follow the guide’s wildlife briefing and keep the group together; do not feed, pursue or attempt to touch them.

Aida wreck: a steeply sloping hull

Aida was an Egyptian supply vessel. It struck Big Brother’s reef on 15 September 1957 while transporting personnel. The bow is missing and the remaining hull lies steeply down the reef, with coral growth adding to its photographic appeal.

Sea Serpent Fleet’s detailed Aida section places the surviving wreck at about 28–60 metres, with the stern around 60 metres. Much of the wreck lies beyond ordinary recreational profiles. Agree exactly which exterior section can be viewed within your certification and dive plan, without treating the deepest part as an objective.

Numidia wreck

Numidia was a British cargo vessel built in 1901, approximately 137 metres long. It grounded at Big Brother during its second voyage that year; after salvage efforts, the rear section sank against the reef. CDWS describes shallow remains around 8–12 metres and the stern at about 80 metres, with deeper parts outside recreational diving.

The ship’s steep position, exposed steel framework and coral-covered structure make it a striking sight. A shallow part of a wreck does not make the whole wreck accessible. Current, the planned depth and time limits determine the visit; entry into enclosed spaces requires a separate, appropriately trained and equipped plan.

Experience and conditions

For its Simply the Best itinerary, Emperor Divers requires 50 logged dives, Advanced Open Water or equivalent, and comfort in drift diving and currents that may become strong. That is a documented operator requirement, not a substitute for checking your own boat’s current admission rules.

Send the operator your certification level, logged dives and recent diving history before paying. Meeting a numerical minimum does not guarantee participation in every dive; the guide may exclude a dive that does not suit your experience. Confirm the use of RIBs, the pickup procedure and the equipment required for your departure.

When to go

Do not choose a month on the promise of guaranteed calm seas or guaranteed sharks. These islands are exposed, and weather can change the route at any time of year. Operator schedules provide possible departures, while the captain and guide determine whether the actual conditions allow the planned visit.

Compare the dates available to you with the operator’s current expectations, water-temperature guidance and cancellation arrangements. This helps you choose a trip for the conditions you are comfortable with, rather than a promised encounter. Night dives at the Brothers are not part of a normal itinerary; liveaboard guidance lists them as prohibited.

Getting there and travelling with non-divers

Choose a liveaboard itinerary naming the Brothers rather than a general Red Sea cruise. Routes may combine them with Daedalus, Elphinstone or northern wrecks, and embarkation ports vary by departure. Verify the marina, airport transfer, park and port fees and the plan if the islands cannot be visited.

For non-divers, acceptance on board does not establish a suitable snorkelling holiday. Offshore walls, current and operational restrictions limit what a companion can do in the water. Ask for explicit confirmation of permitted activities, supervision, the complete passenger fare and alternative stops. A non-diving companion needs a suitable programme and a separate fare confirmation before committing to the cruise.

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Wreck video

This existing video illustrates Aida and Numidia. Deep or scooter-assisted sequences are not a recommended recreational route or evidence of present conditions.

Play video

Where are the two islands?

The CDWS references are 26°18′40″ N, 34°50′53″ E for Big Brother and 26°18′04″ N, 34°51′51″ E for Little Brother. The map identifies the islands for travel planning, not dive entries, moorings or navigation routes.

Brothers Islands questions

Sources

Sources checked 24–26 October 2026: Emperor itinerary and experience requirements; CDWS Numidia profile; Sea Serpent Aida depth range; Brothers topography and night-dive guidance; CDWS island coordinates.