Aida II Wreck

Overview

The Aida (commonly called Aida II or simply The Aida) is a famous wreck dive at Big Brother Island, one of the two remote Brother Islands in the central Red Sea. The vessel was built in 1911 at the Loire shipyard (Yard No. 454) in Nantes, France, for the Egyptian Ports and Lighthouses Administration to service lighthouses along the Red Sea coast. She measured 75.1 metres in length, 9.7 metres beam, and 7 metres draught, with a gross tonnage of approximately 1,426 GRT. During World War II the ship survived a German air attack when the captain evaded a Heinkel He 111’s bomb run. After the war she was transferred to the Egyptian Navy as a troop transport. On 15 September 1957, during heavy weather, she was driven onto Big Brother Island’s reef while attempting to deliver supplies to the lighthouse station; 77 survivors were rescued by the tugboat Bergehus and the remainder reached the island shore. The bow now rests at 25 metres and the stern — where the hull broke amidships — at 65 metres, making her one of the deeper wreck dives in the Red Sea.

Wreck History

• Built: 1911, Loire shipyard, Nantes, France (for Egyptian Ports & Lighthouses Administration)
• Original role: Lighthouse tender / cargo-passenger vessel
• Wartime: Survived German air attack, October 1941
• Post-war role: Transferred to Egyptian Marina as troop transport
• Sank: 15 September 1957 — struck Big Brother Island reef in severe weather
• Length: 75.1 m | Beam: 9.7 m | Tonnage: ~1,426 GRT
• Depth: Bow at 25 m; amidships break at 33 m; stern and propeller at 60–65 m

Marine Life

The wreck’s steel structure is now colonised by hard and soft corals, sponges, and encrusting organisms that attract a full range of Red Sea reef fish. Large groupers and moray eels shelter in the engine room and structural recesses. Schools of glassfish congregate in shaded sections, drawing hunting lionfish. The surrounding reef features anthias, butterflyfish, and Napoleon wrasse, and the open water around Big Brother Island is well known for oceanic whitetip sharks and hammerhead sharks, which can appear during the descent and ascent.

Dive Profile

The bow section and upper structure are accessible at 25–33 m; the stern propeller and rudder reach 60–65 m — beyond recreational limits. Most dives focus on the upper two-thirds of the wreck at 25–45 m, exploring the bridge, davits, anchor chain, and engine room. Currents around the Brothers can be strong and unpredictable; the sheltered (south) side of Big Brother provides calmer conditions. Visibility is typically 20–30 m. Due to depth, currents, and open-ocean location, this dive is rated Advanced.

Entry and Exit

Exclusively by liveaboard — Big Brother Island has no day-trip access. Liveaboard routes from Hurghada or Port Ghalib stop at the Brothers Islands, typically combining the Aida wreck with the Numidia wreck on the same day. Entry is typically a descent along the mooring line or the wreck itself.

Tips and Recommendations

Plan the main dive on the bow and midship sections at 25–40 m to conserve bottom time. A second dive can explore the deeper stern section for those with appropriate training. Bring a dive torch to illuminate the engine room passages and read the encrusted detail on the hull. Best visited October–May when sea states in the central Red Sea are manageable.

Safety Considerations

Currents at Big Brother Island can surge unexpectedly; always ascend close to the wreck structure and deploy an SMB at the safety stop. The stern depth (60–65 m) exceeds recreational limits — do not exceed your certification or dive plan. Oceanic whitetips patrol the blue water; maintain calm behaviour during ascents. Wreck penetration beyond naturally lit areas requires technical training and appropriate equipment.

Site Information

• Location: Big Brother Island, central Red Sea (approx. 60 km NE of Marsa Alam)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Wreck dive
• Difficulty Level: Advanced
• Maximum Depth: 65 meters

Sources: The Red Sea Wreck Project — Aida, Red Sea Diving — The Aida, Egypt Liveaboard — Aida II Wreck. Last updated 2026-05-17.