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Dive Site

Big Brother Island

  • Current: N/W in the mornings, N at midday, N/E in the afternoon
  • Visibility: J, F, M, A: 30–50 m; M, J, J, A: 30–40 m; S, O, N, D: 50–60 m
  • Temperatures: J, F, M: 22–24°C; A, M, J: 23–38°C; J, A, S: 28-30°C; O, N, D: 28-23°C
  • Depth: 100 m
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Dive Site

Overview

The name Brother Islands comes from the company that electrified the lighthouse. The first lighting system had a strength of the equivalent of 5000 candles. The two islands are of volcanic origin and lie on a ridge that plunges well over 1000m to the west and east. The remains of the volcanic history can still be seen today in the basalt rock, which is clearly darker than the reef structure.

Description

The Big Brother has a length of 200m and a width of 60m. It is almost perpendicular to the north-south direction and is a steep-walled reef except for the eastern plateau. On the island you usually have the opportunity to stretch your feet, smoke a shisha with the lighthouse keeper or buy small souvenirs and enjoy the view from the lighthouse. This can change depending on the mood of the military.

The wreck of the "Numidia" lies diagonally on the reef from 15m to 75m depth. The general cargo ship hit the west side in 1901 after a navigation error. Its cargo consisted of rails and railroad wheels. It is spread around the wreck. The overgrowth of the wreck stops almost abruptly at 40 meters.
The Numidia is one of the most beautifully overgrown wrecks in the world.

The "Aida", which nestles against the reef on the southern side at a depth of 30m to 65m, has been resting there since she ran aground on the fringing reef in rough seas in 1953. She was to bring personnel for the lighthouse and material for the island. Storms in early 2010 have left the wreck a bit battered.

Around the western end there is usually high wave and some current. If it is possible to dive there in the afternoon, you have the chance to see gray reef sharks and between the wrecks hammerhead sharks from time to time.

On the eastern plateau you can see thresher sharks, also gray reef sharks can be seen there very often. Further on the north side there are nice notches and the reef wall is beautifully covered with soft and hard corals. In addition there are all kinds of fish.
To the south is the jetty that supplies the lighthouse. On both sides you will find small notches in two to five meters depth with gigantic schools of fish, hunting cornetfish, juvenile napoleon wrasse. In the open water area, hunting mackerels, tunas and barracudas often pass by.

Hotspots

  • Route planning at Big Brother is easy, because the current gives the direction. In spring you have to expect high waves there. The currents at the points, which are approached by the Zodiacs to drop off the divers, are not to be underestimated and you should think of your ENOS. Here, actually, a speedy descent is always necessary. Otherwise you may be carried away by the surface current.

map Dive Plans

Thresher shark in the morning

In the morning the best place is the eastern plateau with its hills at 36 to 45m. It has a lot to offer, especially the thresher shark. If your certification allows it, you should use your no-decompression time in the current shadow of the small hills at the reef nose in the east and then ascend with the current towards the west at the beautifully overgrown steep wall.

Thresher shark in the morning

In the morning the best place is the eastern plateau with its hills at 36 to 45m. It has a lot to offer, especially the thresher shark. If the certification allows, you should use your no-decompression limit in the flow shadow of the small hills at the reef nose in the east and then dive with the current to the west on the beautifully overgrown steep wall.

Aida at noon

Here we go with the Zodiac, if the wave allows it. The Aida starts at about 30 meters depth. The upper area is full of glassfish and the holds are open. Then head back over the scattered cargo, along the jagged reef wall to the east, towards the ship.

Numidia in the afternoon

If wave and current allow it, you should take the Zodiac to Numidia. It has a very nice growth of soft and hard corals on the northern side and is one of the most beautiful wrecks in the Red Sea. The southern side looks like only two days have passed since the sinking. The rest of the cargo is clearly visible. The fish population is abundant, the current varying in strength and mostly moving from the north around the corner to the west.

Thresher shark in the afternoon

The last dive of the day should be made again at the northeast tip, because when the light fades in the late afternoon hours, the hunt of the predatory fish begins. You will then see yellowfin tuna, fathead mackerel, barracuda - and often thresher sharks at the tip. Take your time, don't paddle around unnecessarily and just observe. You will definitely get your money's worth!