Stand on the boardwalk above the harbour in the late afternoon and you will see the working heart of Sudan's only major seaport: container cranes, the comings and goings of a busy dock, and, further out, the flat blue of the Red Sea. Behind you, tea ladies set out their trays and the smell of shisha drifts from the cafes.
Port Sudan suits travellers who are already in Sudan or crossing from Jeddah, and who want a Red Sea stop that is about water, worship and harbour life rather than resort polish. It is a hot desert city, so plan around the heat and the wind.
This guide covers the sights named in the sources, the diving and snorkelling offshore, and a single-day route that links them.
Top things to do in Port Sudan
1. Sanganeb Marine National Park
Sanganeb is the headline dive and snorkel destination off Port Sudan, reached by boat in under two hours from the coast. Live-aboard boats operate out of the port and can be contacted directly through their websites, which is the usual way to arrange a trip.
Combine it with Sha'ab Rumi if you have more than one day on the water. Be aware that November and December bring strong winds and rough seas, even though this is the season when hammerhead sharks are present.
2. Sha'ab Rumi
Sha'ab Rumi is the closer of the two well-known reef sites, less than an hour from the coast, and works well as a first introduction to Red Sea diving or snorkelling from Port Sudan.
As with Sanganeb, arrange access through the live-aboard boats that operate out of the port. If you are diving from land, note that Diveversity, the only land-based dive operator at the time of the source, works out of Sudan Red Sea Resort, 30 km north of the city.
3. The boardwalk overlooking the port
A large boardwalk area overlooks the port and sits close to ice cream shops and cafes. It is the simplest way to spend an unhurried hour in the city, watching the harbour while sitting in the open areas.
Order a shisha or a hot drink from one of the tea ladies nearby. Late afternoon into early evening is the natural time to be here, once the worst of the heat has passed.
4. Great Mosque of Port Sudan
The Great Mosque is one of the city's principal places of worship and the main mosque to visit in Port Sudan. Dress modestly and behave as you would in any working place of worship.
Pair it with a walk along the boardwalk, which is nearby, and with the tea and cafe stalls around the harbour.
5. Virgin Mary Church of Port Sudan
The Virgin Mary Church is a historic colonial church and one of the city's Christian places of worship, alongside the other churches and temples in Port Sudan.
It is a short, worthwhile stop to combine with the Great Mosque and the boardwalk in the same outing, giving you a sense of the city's mixed places of worship.
6. Snorkelling and diving from the port
Snorkelling and diving are the main reasons many visitors come to Port Sudan, with several good dive sites near the city. Live-aboard boats leave from the port and can be booked directly via their websites.
If you prefer to stay on land, Diveversity operates at Sudan Red Sea Resort, 30 km north of Port Sudan. Check conditions before committing, since November and December can be very windy.
7. Tea and shisha at the harbour
The tea ladies near the boardwalk serve hot drinks in the open areas, and the surrounding cafes and ice cream shops make this an easy place to sit and relax.
This is best treated as an end-of-day ritual rather than a scheduled sight. Bring small change and take your time.
8. Sudan Red Sea Resort
Sudan Red Sea Resort, 30 km north of Port Sudan, is the base for the city's only land-based dive operator, Diveversity, at the time of the source.
Use it if you want to dive without joining a live-aboard. Confirm arrangements with the operator before travelling out.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the Great Mosque of Port Sudan while the air is still relatively cool, then walk to the nearby Virgin Mary Church of Port Sudan to see the city's historic colonial church.
Afternoon. Head to the boardwalk overlooking the port. Sit in the open areas, have a hot drink from one of the tea ladies, and watch the harbour traffic. If you have arranged a dive or snorkel trip, this is the slot for Sha'ab Rumi, the closer reef site, or for a session with Diveversity at Sudan Red Sea Resort.
Evening. Return to the boardwalk for ice cream or a shisha at one of the cafes as the light goes. If you are diving the next day, use the evening to confirm your Sanganeb Marine National Park trip with a live-aboard operator.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to dive or snorkel in Port Sudan?
November and December are the season for hammerhead sharks, but it can get very windy then and the sea is rough. Plan for the wind if you travel in those months.
Can I dive without joining a live-aboard boat?
Yes. At the time of the source there was one land-based dive operator, Diveversity, an international business operating at Sudan Red Sea Resort, 30 km north of Port Sudan.
What can I do in Port Sudan without getting on a boat?
The boardwalk overlooking the port, with its ice cream shops, cafes and nearby tea ladies, is the easiest option, along with the Great Mosque of Port Sudan and the Virgin Mary Church of Port Sudan.
How hot does it get, and when does rain fall?
Port Sudan has a hot desert climate. Temperatures can exceed 30 °C in winter and 45 °C in summer, and over 90% of annual rainfall falls between October and January, mostly in November.
Check the live-aboard and dive operator websites, confirm your dates around the wind and heat, and start planning your Red Sea days from Port Sudan.