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Dive Site

Small Brother Island

  • Current: N (north side) W (south side) in the morning, W & S/E (north side) N/E (south side) at midday, E (north side) E (south side) in the afternoon
  • Visibility: J, F, M, A: 30–50 m; M, J, J, A: 30–40 m; S, O, N, D: 50–60 m
  • Temperatures: J, F, M: 22–23°C; A, M, J: 23–28°C; J, A, S: 28-30°C; O, N, D: 28-24°C
  • Depth: 100 m
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Dive Site

Overview

The smaller of the two 'Brothers' of the famous double reef is located in visible range of Big Brother to the east. The small island measuring 360 metres is uninhabitated. Yet things look very different under the sea: there's gorgonian forests, huge overhangs and the Shark Point – a cleaning station for sharks. It's not so much the sharks we should fear here, but rather the unpredictable current.

Description

The name Little Brother sounds cute, but this dive isn't for rookies. There are mooring points on the reef's south-east side, however, most dives start off from the Zodiac. Little Brother is 360 metres in length and 160 metres in width and it runs north in the shape of a wedge. Bordered by a protective fringe reef, the reef drops steeply down. In the south-east at a depth of 10 metres, there is a small reef spur which ends with an overhang at 37 metres. A lagoon-like wall leads to a large gorgonian garden here.

Boasting massive overhangs and large depressions, the reef extends to the north-west where a small hill has been formed at a depth of 40 metres – the Shark Point. During the morning hours, we often see grey reef sharks who've come to have their teeth brushed after a successful night of hunting. From the south-east to the north, Little Brother is shaped by a steep face, which exists between a depth of 25 and 40 metres.

Hotspots

  • Shark Point: At a depth of 40 metres, Shark Point is the 'place to be'! Here the TV programme of the National Geographic channel is bigger, better and live!
  • Gorgonian garden: Little Brother's large gorgonian garden captivates with its huge coral specimens which can be found in a wide range here.

map Dive Plans

The gorgonian garden

You should make the first dive comfortably from boat to boat and explore the southeast side. You have a good chance of meeting gray and thresher sharks down at the reef nose, then you should go on to the gorgonian garden, which is between 18 and 40m. Then it's back to the eastern tip.

Shark Point

It goes with the Zodiac to the southwest side. You will be thrown in the last lagoon and should dive as quickly as possible, because the wave hits the western tip. There you dive in the flow shadow of the reef nose towards Shark Point. Do not try to dive to Shark Point in strong currents but stay on the reef. If you dive back on the north side, you can encounter a slight countercurrent, after which the current divides and you have "tail wind". Watch out for big fish!

Steep wall

This dive is variable. You can head north on the Zodiac. Always check the current when getting out: Again, depending on the current, either to the reef nose or simply explore the south. A second good option is to dive the southern steep face from the boat and, if necessary, have the Zodiac pick you up. But be careful: in the afternoon, when the light gradually fades, there is a hunting mood on the southeast side.