Port Sudan: Suakin and the Umbria

Port Sudan can be explored through two very different stories: nearby Suakin was the most important port on the Red Sea for centuries and the port of embarkation for pilgrims travelling to Mecca. After 1905, Port Sudan took Suakin’s place. This change marks a distinct turning point in the history of the coast and links the two places through their former roles as ports.

Suakin: Its Role as a Port and Coral Houses

Suakin’s abandoned coral houses are slowly falling into ruin. Alongside its former role as a port, they offer a different perspective on the town’s history: while Suakin’s role as a port places its importance on the Red Sea in context, the decay brings the buildings into focus.

The Umbria off Port Sudan

The Italian cargo ship Umbria was scuttled in the shallow waters off Port Sudan in June 1940. The Umbria is regularly ranked among the world’s best wreck dives. For your travel planning, these offer two complementary interests: the maritime history of the event and the wreck’s reputation as a dive site.

Coral and Marine Areas in Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar

In the wider travel destination of Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar, the Sanganeb Reef comprises 13 distinct biophysiographic reef zones, each with characteristic coral reef communities. It is home to more than 300 fish species, including many endemic and rare species. Sanganeb Marine National Park was Sudan’s first marine protected area.

Sanganeb Island stretches 6 kilometres from north to south, is 2 kilometres wide and contains three inland lagoons. Sanganeb Marine National Park has about 124 reef groups. The island’s dimensions describe a single landform, while the approximate number of reef groups reflects the park’s broader structure.

The Dungonab Bay–Mukkawar Island Marine National Park covers about 2,808 square kilometres within the wider travel destination of Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar. This approximate area uses a different scale from Sanganeb Island’s dimensions and conveys the extent of this protected area. The protected area includes about 13 islands, including Mukur Island, Umm Qurs, Masharif and Jabal al-Dud.

Coastal Landscapes and Travel Interests

Another coastal feature of the wider travel destination of Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar is Khour Shanaab: the long, fjord-like coastal inlet winds several kilometres inland between desert hills. Its sheltered, calm waters support seagrass meadows and mangroves. Khour Wais is part of the same mosaic of inlets, mangroves and tidal flats that gives Dungonab Bay its exceptional diversity of habitats.

If you’re looking for a holiday rental, distinguishing between the main interests can help: Port Sudan and nearby Suakin are associated with the history of ports and shipwrecks; the coral and coastal areas are part of the wider travel destination of Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar. Guide your search by deciding which of these stories you’d like to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Bur Sudan

Back to the wider travel overview: Al-Bahr Al-Ahmar.