Safaga & Brothers Islands

Safaga combines accessible coastal reefs with expedition-style diving at the Brothers Islands. Panorama Reef and Abu Kafan are exposed walls and plateaus; the Salem Express is a passenger-ferry grave site whose history demands restrained behaviour and no souvenir removal.

Best time
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Certification
Advanced open water
Budget
$–$$ · under $2,000 to $2,000–4,000
Trip length
3–8 days
Trip style
Land based, Day trip, Liveaboard
Access
Moderate

The short version

Known forBrothers offshore shark walls.

Main tradeoffRecent liveaboard losses expose serious vessel-safety risk.

Safaga & Brothers Islands dive region

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Your outlook

Explore 4 dive sites

Browse the map and wildlife below, or add an optional preference to narrow Safaga & Brothers Islands.

Most relevant wildlife

  • Oceanic whitetip sharkJan–Dec
  • Pelagic thresher sharkJan–Dec
  • Grey reef sharkJan–Dec
  • Scalloped hammerhead sharkJan–Dec

Plan the trip

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4 sites shown.

Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov · Strong current · 21.5–29.5°C (coldest Feb, warmest Aug)
Best months Operating
Current
Strong
Water temperature
21.5–29.5°C (coldest Feb, warmest Aug)
Visibility
15–40m: Offshore walls can be very clear; wreck interiors and windy coastal sites are more variable.
Experience
Coastal sites vary, but Brothers itineraries normally require Advanced certification and substantial logged current experience.

01 · Marine life

What you may see

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed

Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.

Oceanic whitetip sharkCarcharhinus longimanus
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; individual encounters are never assured.

Pelagic thresher sharkAlopias pelagicus
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Grey reef sharkCarcharhinus amblyrhynchos
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

See all 8 species

02 · Dive sites

Dive sites worth knowing

A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.

See all 4 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsModerate. Fly to HRG. Typical trip $–$$.

Route overview

Moderate

Reachable but with some friction: a 8h boat crossing.

Airport options

HRG

Hurghada International Airport

About one hour by road to Safaga; liveaboards may depart Safaga, Hurghada or Port Ghalib

Typical trip cost

$–$$

under $2,000 to $2,000–4,000

Per person, excluding international flights.

  • Safaga day diving is inexpensive.

Permit or park fee

What you pay

Offshore reef and port charges vary by itinerary and are commonly excluded from the headline fare. Confirm the full mandatory total.

How it works

Coastguard and marine-park permissions are handled by licensed boats. Some itineraries impose minimum logged-dive requirements.

Sources & last checked

Checked September 2026

Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.

View 4 sources and checking notes

Note on the data: Species calendars stay conservative because the scientific survey covers June–November observations rather than a full-year probability model. Exact mandatory fees vary by boat. Water temperature: Rounded central Red Sea surface bands. Access: Safaga is road-accessible from HRG. Brothers coverage requires a long offshore liveaboard crossing.