EGYPT
Brothers Islands
By TOMMI KOKKOLA
Among Egypt’s offshore islands declared natural protectorates
in 1983, two small islands almost in the middle of the Red Sea
called the Brothers (Al Akhawein) offer some of the region’s most
spectacular diving – especially if sharks are your thing. The islands
are around 70 kilometres from the Egyptian mainland, between
Marsa Alam and Hurghada, making these prime dive sites only
accessible via liveaboards.
While the Brothers Islands are known for their plentiful
cornetfish, the main draw for many divers are the oceanic
whitetips that can be found in the shallow blue water. Grey reef,
thresher, and silvertip sharks are also frequently spotted, and great
hammerheads will occasionally rise from the depths to pose for the
lucky underwater photographer.
The steep sides of these cone-shaped islands make for excellent
wall diving, with the massive gorgonian fans and multihued
corals carpeting the sheer walls matched only by the incredible
abundance of