Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone liveaboard diving
The Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone are the offshore shark reefs of the southern Red Sea: remote pinnacles and sheer walls that rise from deep water, where hammerheads, oceanic whitetips and grey reef sharks patrol the blue. A liveaboard is the only way to reach them. Compare Red Sea shark liveaboards below by route, level and price, cheapest first.
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Operated by Aggressor Adventures
- RouteBrothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone
- Duration7 nights
- Minimum certificationAdvanced Open Water
- Min. logged dives30
- Marine lifesharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, lionfish
- Price fromUSD 899
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Operated by Aggressor Adventures
- RouteBrothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone
- Duration7 nights
- Minimum certificationAdvanced Open Water
- Min. logged dives30
- Marine lifesharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, lionfish
- Price fromUSD 999
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Operated by Aggressor Adventures
- RouteBrothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone
- Duration7 nights
- Minimum certificationAdvanced Open Water
- Min. logged dives30
- Marine lifesharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, lionfish
- Price fromUSD 999
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Operated by Emperor Divers
- RouteDaedalus, Fury and Elphinstone
- Duration7 nights
- Minimum certificationAdvanced Open Water
- Min. logged dives30
- Marine lifesharks, hammerhead sharks, lionfish
- Price fromUSD 1,542
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Operated by Blue Force Fleet
- RouteBrothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone
- Duration7 nights
- Minimum certificationAdvanced Open Water
- Min. logged dives30
- Marine lifesharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, lionfish
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Best time to dive the Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone
- The offshore route runs from about March to November, when the sea is calm enough to reach these exposed reefs.
- Sharks are best in late summer and autumn. Oceanic whitetips at Elphinstone and the Brothers are most reliable in October and November.
- Daedalus is famous for schooling scalloped hammerheads in the warmer months, usually seen deep and early.
- Winter storms close the offshore reefs, so this is a spring to autumn route, not a year round one.
The dive sites
- The Brothers: two tiny islands with sheer walls, two wrecks (the Numidia and the Aida) and patrolling sharks.
- Daedalus Reef: a lone offshore reef with a lighthouse, walls of anthias, and schooling hammerheads on the north plateau.
- Elphinstone: a classic drop off wall famous for oceanic whitetip sharks cruising the blue in autumn.
- Some itineraries add Fury Shoals or Ras Mohammed to round out the week.
Who it suits and dive level
This is an advanced route. The dives are deep, in open blue water, and often in current, so operators usually ask for Advanced Open Water and around 30 logged dives. It is not a first liveaboard. If you are newer, start on a northern wreck route and build experience before heading offshore for the sharks.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to dive the Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone?
The offshore route runs from about March to November. Sharks are best in late summer and autumn, and oceanic whitetips are most reliable in October and November.
Do I need experience for this route?
Yes. These are deep, blue-water dives with current, so operators usually ask for Advanced Open Water and around 30 logged dives.
Which sharks will I see?
Grey reef and whitetip reef sharks, oceanic whitetips, and schooling scalloped hammerheads at Daedalus, plus the occasional thresher.
Which airport should I fly into?
Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib, the usual gateways for southern and offshore Red Sea routes.