Big Brother Island

Best time to dive

January to December; June to August; November to March; December to March

What you might see

• BarracudaLikely
• Dogtooth tunaLikely
• Grey reef sharkLikely
• Hammerhead sharkPeak season
• Napoleon wrasseLikely
• Thresher sharkLikely

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Technical - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - No/very limited - strong currents, deep walls and liveaboard-only remote access make it unsuitable for casual snorkeling; not offered/marketed by operators

Safety notes

Strong, unpredictable currents; deep/overhead wreck penetration on the Numidia and Aida beyond recreational depth limits (tech training required for deeper sections); night diving prohibited; strict no-touch/no-feed shark etiquette enforced after past bite incidents; remoteness (several hours by boat, no rescue infrastructure nearby); daily boat-capacity quota limits access

Permits & fees

Part of Egypt's Red Sea protected areas (HEPCA/Marine Park system). Historically a park fee of about $5/day with a minimum 7-day charge (min. ~$35/trip for foreign visitors) reported, though fee collection/structure has reportedly changed over time - VERIFY current rate. CDWS operational rules cap daily boat traffic at 18 total (12 at Big Brother, 6 at Small Brother), require CDWS coordination plus a Red Sea Governorate coast-guard sailing permit, and restrict diving to roughly 06:00-16:00 with no overnight mooring at the island

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Deep South (ex-Hurghada/Port Ghalib)