Thresher Sharks at Brothers Islands — Where and When to Dive
Big Brother’s south plateau at dawn is the most reliably documented thresher shark site in the Red Sea — here is exactly how we dive it.
Photos from the BDE itinerary aboard MY JPMarine by Franziska Stier
What makes thresher sharks different
Thresher sharks (Alopias vulpinus) are immediately identifiable by their upper caudal fin — it can equal the full length of the shark’s body. Unlike oceanic whitetip or hammerhead species, threshers are pelagic: they spend most of their time in open water and visit reef structures only at specific times, in specific conditions.
| Feature | Thresher Shark | Oceanic Whitetip | Hammerhead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tail fin | Elongated — equal to body length | Standard | Standard |
| Habitat | Pelagic — open water | Pelagic — reef edges | Pelagic — schooling |
| Typical sighting time | Dawn — first dive | Any time | Early morning |
| Aggression toward divers | Almost never | Curious, can approach | Rarely |
| Best Red Sea site | Big Brother south plateau | Daedalus, Elphinstone | Daedalus |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
Threshers are not aggressive toward divers. Sightings at Big Brother are typically brief — the shark moves along the plateau edge and continues into open water. The behaviour guides brief for is patience and stillness, not pursuit.
Big Brother south plateau — the dive site
Big Brother Island is the larger of the two Brothers Islands, located roughly 60 km offshore in the southern Red Sea. The south plateau is a submerged shelf that drops into open water — the combination of current, depth, and proximity to the open sea makes it the most documented thresher shark encounter point in Egyptian waters.
| Detail | Big Brother South Plateau |
|---|---|
| Location | Big Brother Island, Brothers Islands, southern Red Sea |
| Best time of day | Dawn — first dive of the day |
| Peak season | September – February |
| Recommended position | Plateau edge, stationary, facing open water |
| Current | Can be strong — experience required |
| Other species at same site | Oceanic whitetip, grey reef shark, giant trevally, barracuda |
| Patrol depth | 15–30 m — patrol depth varies with light levels; sightings reported shallower at dawn |
The south plateau rewards divers who settle early and stay still. Movement along the edge will reduce encounter probability. Our guides position the group before first light enters the water column.
Want to dive Big Brother at dawn?
Check available dates or reach out — we answer quickly.
Or prefer email? info@divesafarimaster.com
What the briefing covers before every dive
Every dive at Big Brother south plateau starts with a species-specific briefing. The same points are covered on every departure:
🦈 Descent timing — group enters water together, moves to plateau edge before light levels rise
🦈 Position — settle on the edge facing open water, fins down, no hovering above the group
✔️ Buoyancy check — critical at this site; poor buoyancy disturbs silt and increases noise
✔️ Current direction — guide reads current before entry, positions group accordingly
✔️ No strobes on first pass — threshers are light-sensitive at dawn; video lights on low until shark has passed
✔️ Safety stop at 5 m — oceanic whitetips have been sighted at the stop; guides stay with group
✔️ Signal protocol — one hand signal for thresher, different signal for whitetip; no verbal noise underwater
The briefing is given in English. Ask the guide any site-specific question before entry — once the group is on the plateau, communication is by hand signal only.
Certification and experience requirements
The BDE itinerary requires a minimum of AOWD (Advanced Open Water Diver). Open Water certification is not sufficient for Brothers Islands — the current, depth, and open-water conditions require the additional training AOWD provides.
| Feature | OWD | AOWD |
|---|---|---|
| Max certified depth | 18 m | 30 m |
| Eligible for BDE itinerary | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Big Brother south plateau | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Daedalus open-water dives | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Elphinstone plateau dives | ✗ | ✔️ |
| Deep Adventure Dive training | Not included | Included in AOWD |
Upgrade to AOWD During Your Trip
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver courses run aboard MY JPMarine every week. Complete your certification mid-trip and unlock Big Brother south plateau, Daedalus, and Elphinstone on the same journey.
View Courses Aboard →The BDE itinerary — Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone
MY JPMarine departs from Hurghada, Saturday–Saturday. 17–21 dives scheduled per week.
🏝️ Daedalus — open-water plateau, hammerhead school sightings, silky sharks
✔️ Elphinstone — south plateau, oceanic whitetips, strong current wall diving
✔️ Nitrox available
✔️ Full-board catering aboard
✔️ PADI courses available mid-trip
✔️ Card payment accepted
The BDE itinerary covers the three sites with the highest probability of pelagic shark encounters in the Egyptian Red Sea. Brothers is the only permitted access point for liveaboards at that distance offshore — day-trip access is not available. Book directly — no agency fees.
Briefings, descents and underwater encounters — BDE itinerary, MY JPMarine
Our Best-Selling Itineraries
Each route hand-crafted by our team. Solo divers, groups, and full charters welcome.
Prepare for Your Trip
MY JPMarine — in operation since 1999 · Southern Red Sea
Your Safety is Our Standard
MY JPMarine — built and maintained to the highest safety standards
Continue Reading
FAQ
Questions we get every week
Are thresher shark sightings guaranteed at Brothers Islands?
What is the minimum certification for the BDE itinerary?
What time is the first dive at Big Brother?
Is Nitrox available on the BDE itinerary?
How many dives are scheduled per week on BDE?
Can I book a single cabin or do I need a full group?
Book the BDE Itinerary — Big Brother, Daedalus, Elphinstone
Book directly — no agency fees, no hidden costs.
Or email us: info@divesafarimaster.com