North and Brothers in September or just North reefs and wrecks again?

[vaughnd]

My wife and I previously dived with Sea Serpent fleet's Contessa Mia in March 2018 on North reefs and wrecks and loved it, although it got fairly chilly with 22 degree water. We're keen to go again in a warmer season to mix things up, so likely August/September. I'm interested in the BDE route, but don't want to risk bad luck and have lots of deep blue dives with no sightings. Plus my wife is nervous about floating around in the deeps (even with 150+ dives ). I'm looking at the North and Brothers option as a way to dip our toes in the South, as she'll likely be confident enough by day 6 to hit Brothers dives.

I see All Star Red Sea is doing this route on the 22nd September. Is it worth the long haul down to Brothers from the North, or should we just do a standard wrecks and reefs in the north and aim for BDE on a separate trip? And is All Star Red Sea liveaboard on par or better than Sea Serpent fleet? Happy to spend more for extra luxury. Thanks.

 

[Parlem]

Hello!

I've done this same route, but with a different operator. It's a nice combination of reefs, wrecks and the chance of seeing some larger animals (perhaps) at the Brothers. The Brothers is wall diving and you may swim off the wall a bit into the blue at key spots in the off-chance something might be swimming by. But the Brothers also have a couple of wrecks and, unless recent reports about bleaching are true, nice coral.

Sailing to the Brothers is done overnight and September weather should make for an easy crossing.

BDE is much more focused on large animal encounters, which is always hit-and-miss in the Egyptian Red Sea. So I think there's a greater chance of disappointment if your expectations are not met.

I'm afraid I have no personal experience of All Star.

Have a great trip.

 

[MB NZ]

My opinion, don't do North & Brothers. Why? Because you get very limited time at the Brothers and you don't spend the whole time in the north diving the wrecks, so a lot of time is spent diving northern reefs, some of which are good, but many are humdrum by Red Sea standards.

I've spent a week diving the Brothers and didn't get bored. In fact, it was one of the best trips I've ever done. Deep/blue dives looking for sharks, then ascending for photography in the shallows. I also enjoyed BDE for the same reason. I did North & Brothers in 2010. Didn't find it to be a great trip for the reasons mentioned, forgot and went back and did it in 2023! Your experience may vary.

 

[scubaozy]

North and Brothers imo is the most balanced itinerary, wrecks reef, and walls, and perhaps a shark or two in the Brothers. I agree with the sentiment that time in Brothers is a bit short and it is quite a distance. But if I remember correctly, since several years, there are limitations applied to Brothers, so, you could not stay longer regardless which itinerary you do.

 

[David Novo]

I did North and Brothers with a different operator and enjoyed it very much.
I would, however, choose one that includes Salem Express (as you are sailing from the Brothers to Hurghada anyway).

 

[Parlem]

North and Brothers imo is the most balanced itinerary, wrecks reef, and walls, and perhaps a shark or two in the Brothers. I agree with the sentiment that time in Brothers is a bit short and it is quite a distance. But if I remember correctly, since several years, there are limitations applied to Brothers, so, you could not stay longer regardless which itinerary you do.

That is correct. You are no longer allowed to overnight at the Brothers. Reports from divers who spent several days there date back to a time when this was possible. Alas, it hasn't been allowed for some time now.

 

[MB NZ]

That is correct. You are no longer allowed to overnight at the Brothers. Reports from divers who spent several days there date back to a time when this was possible. Alas, it hasn't been allowed for some time now.

In that case, BDE would be the obvious choice for more adventurous diving and shark encounters, although the latter are not guaranteed by any measure. Decide between that kind of trip and a northern wrecks tour.