UNESCO World Heritage Site · Red Sea, Sudan
Both parks are reached via Port Sudan. Sanganeb is 25 km offshore by liveaboard. Dungonab Bay is 160–200 km north — by liveaboard or overland to Mohammed Qol, then local boat.
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Tourist visas cannot be obtained on arrival. Apply in advance through a Sudanese diplomatic mission — no functional e-visa portal currently exists. Most applications require a Letter of Invitation (LOI) from an authorized business, accredited NGO, or government body, verified against Port Sudan clearance records before the stamp is issued.
Egypt
Except males aged 18–49
Kuwait
Indefinite stay
Qatar
Up to 1 month
Yemen
Direct flight only · 30 days
Denied entry Citizens of Israel are strictly denied entry under any circumstances.
All foreign nationals must register with the Aliens Registration Office (Immigration Police) within 3 days of arrival. Strictly enforced at Port Sudan and all entry checkpoints. Do not overlook this step.
Entry to both parks requires clearances from National Security and Military Intelligence / Coast Guard. These are mandatory for all foreign visitors. The park management authority (WCF) deals exclusively with registered tourism agencies — your operator secures all clearances on your behalf.
Separate photography and videography permits are required and must be arranged through your operator alongside the park-entry permit.
| Fee | Foreign nationals | Sudanese nationals |
|---|---|---|
| Entry permit (per person / per day) | $20 | 5,000 SDG |
| Vessel / boat fee | $50 | 10,000 SDG |
Fees set under official financial regulations. Confirm current rates when booking.
Sudanese nationals still require official park authorisation. All access is routed through registered channels — the WCF does not deal directly with individual visitors. Groups and institutions may submit a formal request directly to the Director of the Marine Protected Areas Administration.
| Fee | Sudanese nationals |
|---|---|
| Entry permit (per person / per day) | 5,000 SDG |
| Vessel / boat fee | 10,000 SDG |
Separate photography and videography permits are required for all visitors. Arrange through your registered operator or directly with the MPA Administration when submitting your access request.
Permits & enquiries
Sudan Marine Parks is currently vetting registered tourism agencies who can facilitate permits. A list of vetted agencies will be published here once confirmed.
Both parks are accessible by liveaboard dive boat from Port Sudan. Sanganeb is approximately 25 km offshore. Dungonab Bay, at 65–70 nautical miles north, requires a 7–9 hour sail and is incorporated into multi-day northern itineraries. Commercial liveaboard operations are currently paused.
Egyptian liveaboard operators historically crossed into Sudanese waters from Egyptian ports. Current status should be confirmed directly with Egyptian operators.
Contact info@sudanmarineparks.org to be notified when vetted operator listings are published.
Port Sudan is now Sudan’s primary international gateway. Most reliable routes:
Khartoum International Airport (KRT) has resumed domestic connections to Port Sudan, but flying directly into PZU from a regional hub is strongly preferred.
Verify schedules directly with airlines before booking. Frequencies change with security conditions.
The tarred road via Atbara passes the Meroe pyramids but is extremely high-risk and heavily militarised. Journey time: 8–12+ hours or spanning multiple days.
Border crossings are open but not practically permitted for standard tourists under current security protocols.
From Wadi Halfa, a long overland corridor leads to Dongola and eastward to Port Sudan, bypassing Khartoum entirely.
Regular passenger ferry services between Jeddah and Port Sudan (or Suakin) are currently suspended. Check with local shipping agencies for any resumption.
The weekly Monday rail service between Khartoum and Port Sudan is not currently operating.
65–70 nautical miles north of Port Sudan. At 8–10 knots cruising speed, the sail takes 7–9 hours. Operators incorporate Dungonab into multi-day northern itineraries with dive stops en route (Shaab Rumi, the Umbria wreck).
Eliminates land logistics entirely. The liveaboard serves as moving hotel, dive platform, and kitchen. Ideal for outer reef walls and offshore sites.
Commercial liveaboard operations from Port Sudan are currently paused. See the Getting to Port Sudan tab for operator updates.
160–175 km to Mohammed Qol via the coastal road; up to 200 km onto the Dungonab Peninsula. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours in normal conditions, variable due to checkpoints and road conditions.
A 4WD vehicle is mandatory if moving off the main track, into buffer zones, or onto the peninsula. A 2WD with good ground clearance can manage the main hard-packed corridor in dry weather — nothing more.
Be completely self-sufficient with fuel from Port Sudan. There is one fuel station in Mohammed Qol, but it frequently runs out. After leaving Port Sudan’s northern checkpoints, assume no reliable fuel, mechanical support, or provisions exist along the route.
From Mohammed Qol or Dungonab village, hire a local motorised skiff (felucca) from the Beja fishing community. These are the only vessels able to navigate the shallow inner bay — critical for accessing the seagrass beds where dugongs feed, Mesharifa Island’s manta aggregation channels, and the mangrove lagoons.
A WCGA ranger must accompany all local boat excursions into park boundaries. The ranger station is located just south of Mohammed Qol. Do not depart without ranger coordination.
No marine fuel dock exists in the villages. Bring all fuel in drums from Port Sudan. Local boats are open utilitarian vessels — no shade, no marine toilet, no dive rack. Your team must be entirely self-sufficient.
Mukkawar Island is reached by local charter boat or liveaboard from the Dungonab area. There is no ferry service and no permanent infrastructure on the island. It is a strictly protected, uninhabited ecosystem — day visits only, by boat.
On-the-ground partner
SUDIA — Sudanese Development Initiative
SUDIA maintains a permanent office and staff in Mohammed Qol and is establishing a Community-Based Tourism Hub for the Dungonab Bay area. They are the most reliable entity on the ground for overland trips — providing community liaison, vetted local boat hire, and real-time ground intelligence on road and water conditions. Contact them well in advance of any planned visit.
SUDIA can facilitate logistics but cannot replace formal government permits. Secure your Khitab Murroor through HAC or NISS before contacting them for ground coordination.