Egyptian Red Sea · North & Brothers Liveaboard
North & Brothers Liveaboard Northern wrecks, reefs and the offshore islands
A seven-night, six-day North & Brothers liveaboard that puts the historic northern shipwrecks and the offshore walls of the Brothers Islands inside one week. Because the vessel crosses open water to reach the islands, this route asks more of a diver than a standard northern safari.
What a North & Brothers liveaboard covers
To start with, the northern Red Sea is known for its historic shipwrecks and its reef systems, while the Brothers Islands sit far offshore and offer steep walls, current and real pelagic potential. Consequently this week is two trips in one, and that contrast is the whole point of it.
Because the islands lie well out in open water, reaching them costs navigation time and depends on the weather. Therefore the Brothers section is the part of the plan most likely to move, and the captain will say so at the briefing rather than afterwards.
Of course, every dive is planned around the conditions on the day. In fact current, wind, swell, marine park regulations and mooring availability are all weighed before anyone enters the water, so the published week is a plan rather than a promise.
Trip at a glance
Historic wrecks
Namely the SS Thistlegorm and the Abu Nuhas cluster, covered in full on the classic northern route.
Northern reefs
Meanwhile the reefs of the Strait of Gubal and Ras Mohammed National Park fill the days between the wrecks and the crossing.
Offshore islands
Above all the Brothers: remote walls, blue water and the possibility of large pelagic species.
The North & Brothers liveaboard week
Broadly, the week runs Saturday to Saturday, working north through the wrecks before turning offshore for the islands. However, the exact order can change according to weather, wind, current, navigation time, marine park regulations and safety, so read the days below as the shape of the week rather than a fixed sequence.
North & Brothers liveaboard: the northern leg
Saturday
Arrival and boarding. To begin with, guests are welcome on board from 15:00. Afterwards check-in, cabin allocation, equipment preparation, documentation and the welcome briefing all take place during the evening.
Sunday
Northern reefs. First the check dives, then suitable northern reef sites while the vessel works its way up towards the wrecks.
Monday
Abu Nuhas. In particular, potential dives on Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K or other suitable wrecks around the reef, depending on sea conditions.
Tuesday
Strait of Gubal and the Thistlegorm. Namely the day most divers book this week for, mixing wreck and reef diving according to the conditions.
Ras Mohammed, the crossing and Big Brother diving
Wednesday
Ras Mohammed, then transit. Possible diving at Shark and Yolanda Reef comes first, and afterwards the vessel begins the run offshore.
Thursday
The Brothers Islands. Wall, wreck and blue-water diving at Big Brother and Little Brother. Also, night diving is not conducted here.
Friday
Final dives and return. Then two final morning dives at sites chosen for the vessel’s position, followed by the return to port.
Saturday
Check-out, 09:00 to 10:00. Breakfast on board comes first, then departure. Transfers can also be arranged according to the booking.
This is a planned itinerary, not a guaranteed sequence of dive sites. Naturally, weather, wind, currents, mooring availability, marine park regulations, permissions and safety always take priority. Above all, the offshore crossing is weather-dependent, so the Brothers section carries more risk of change than the northern days do.
North & Brothers liveaboard dive sites
All told, twelve named sites sit on this route, in two distinct halves. Since the northern wrecks already have their own pages, they are kept short here and the Brothers are given the depth, because the islands are what make this week different.
Northern Red Sea liveaboard dive sites
Abu Nuhas
In brief, the best known wreck cluster in the northern Red Sea, with several ships lying around one reef.
Visit Abu NuhasGiannis D
She is recognisable in particular for her engine room, superstructure and the dramatic angle of her stern.
Carnatic
Similarly historic, and heavily covered with marine growth after more than a century on the reef.
Chrisoula K
Meanwhile a cargo wreck, known for her floor-tile cargo and her substantial structural sections.
SS Thistlegorm
Indeed the most famous wreck in the Red Sea, sunk in 1941, with motorcycles, trucks, railway equipment and military cargo still in her holds.
Visit the ThistlegormStrait of Gubal
Altogether a mixture of reef, wreck and open-water diving, potentially including Shag Rock and Beacon Rock.
Visit the Strait of GubalRas Mohammed and the Brothers Islands liveaboard
Ras Mohammed
Steep walls, blue water, schooling fish, and in addition the scattered cargo of the Yolanda wreck area.
Visit Ras MohammedBig Brother
Notably the larger of the two islands, ringed by wall diving and carrying two wrecks on its northern end. Typically the day starts here before the boat moves across.
Visit Big BrotherNumidia
In addition, she lies against the reef and runs down into deep water, so the dive is planned around depth rather than around the wreck itself.
Aida
Furthermore a historic wreck in a deeper and more exposed position, which suits experienced divers rather than everyone on board.
Little Brother
Likewise, steep walls dropping into deep blue water. Depending on season and conditions, possible encounters include grey reef sharks, oceanic whitetips, thresher sharks, hammerheads, tuna, barracuda and trevally.
Visit Little BrotherThe Brothers walls
Besides the wrecks, the walls themselves carry soft coral and gorgonians. Consequently many divers rate them above the wrecks, current permitting.
Importantly, the Brothers have entry rules, and no operator can waive them. The Red Sea Marine Park requires at least fifty logged dives, and night diving is prohibited across the whole area. For that reason, check your logbook before you book rather than after.
Shark encounters are never guaranteed. Rather, sightings depend on season, water conditions, current and the animals themselves. Nothing on this page promises them, and nobody honest would.
Who a North & Brothers liveaboard suits
Certainly this route asks more of a diver than a standard northern safari. Good buoyancy control and confidence in open water both matter more once the boat is offshore, and divers are expected to follow the briefings and stay inside their certification, training and experience.
In short, the northern half suits most certified divers, while the Brothers half is the part to be honest with yourself about. Therefore ask us if you are unsure.
Conditions can include
Strong current, deep water and wall diving, negative entries, blue-water ascents, surface waves, and entries and exits from a zodiac.
Equally, ask about certification requirements for the deeper wrecks before you book, since they vary by vessel and by departure.
North & Brothers liveaboard conditions and marine life
Visibility
Generally excellent, although naturally variable between sites and between seasons.
Currents
Usually mild on the sheltered northern reefs. On the other hand, offshore they can be strong.
Water temperature
Naturally it changes through the year, so exposure protection should suit the season rather than the brochure.
Overall the northern reefs bring colourful reef fish, moray eels, blue-spotted stingrays, turtles, barracuda and large schools of fish. Offshore, meanwhile, the larger pelagic encounters become possible.
One route, two worlds
Why a Brothers Islands liveaboard changes a northern week
Instead of a single character, this week has two. One trip carries the history of the Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas, the coral walls of Ras Mohammed, and then the deep-blue diving of Big Brother and Little Brother. Admittedly, few Egyptian itineraries cover that range.
Especially for divers who already know the classic northern week, this is the natural next step: the wrecks are familiar, but the islands are not.
More Red Sea wreck safari routes
- North Red Sea Liveaboard — the classic northern week, without the offshore crossing.
- North & Dahab Liveaboard — the same northern wrecks, with Tiran and Dahab instead of the Brothers.
- Elba Reef Liveaboard — the Deep South expedition.
- What is a liveaboard — how life on board actually works.
- Liveaboard dive techniques — negative entries, SMB deployment and exits in swell, which this route asks for directly.
- redsealiveaboard.net — Red Sea safari schedules and availability.
North & Brothers liveaboard: frequently asked questions
What makes this different from the classic North route?
It adds the offshore crossing. Otherwise the northern half is similar, but the Brothers bring wall diving, current and pelagic potential that the standard route does not.
Is this route for experienced divers?
Largely yes. For example, conditions around the Brothers can include current, deep water, negative entries, blue-water ascents and zodiac operations.
Are shark encounters guaranteed?
No. Sharks are wild animals, so sightings depend on season, current, water conditions and natural behaviour.
Does the route include the SS Thistlegorm?
Usually yes, although the final itinerary always depends on conditions and on operational planning.
Can we dive the Numidia and the Aida?
Both lie at Big Brother. However, diving them depends on conditions, on diver experience and on the dive plan for the day.
Are night dives made at the Brothers Islands?
No. Moreover, night diving is prohibited across the whole marine park, not only at the islands.
How many logged dives do I need for the Brothers?
Fifty. That is a Red Sea Marine Park requirement rather than a house rule, so no operator can waive it. Night diving is prohibited there for the same reason.
When can guests board, and what time is check-out?
Boarding is on Saturday from 15:00, and check-out is the following Saturday between 09:00 and 10:00, after breakfast on board.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes. Ultimately, weather, sea conditions, marine park regulations, permissions and safety may all require changes, and those decisions take priority over the published plan.
Seven nights, six diving days
Book your adventure
Tell us your dates and then we will confirm availability on the North & Brothers liveaboard. If you are unsure whether the offshore days suit your certification and your recent logbook, our team will talk it through with you before you commit to anything.
Inquiry
