This working port on the shores of the Red Sea had a completely different character to the dusty desert towns we had travelled though. It was the first time we had seen buildings reaching beyond a single storey and had a selection of hotels to choose from. Port Sudan is an industrious centre of trade as well as a brightly lit seaside resort bringing holiday-makers in from across the Red Sea.
Like resorts around the world, wide palm fringed boulevards are lined with ice-cream parlours however rather then bikinis you will see burkas as families and couples flock from Saudi Arabia. Lively restaurants on the shore-line cook fish caught that day for visitors enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Customers can be sure of freshness as they are welcome to bring their own purchases from the nearby fish market!
The big draw for tourists here is of course the sea itself and we, like many others, had been pulled to its shores. On glass-bottom boats and pedalos you can enjoy the sea from the surface but we had come to explore its depths. Although internationally renowned as one of the worlds most pristine diving locations few dive from Sudan itself, choosing live aboard dive boats from Egypt and Jordan. With only one Padi certified dive centre our diving destiny was in the hands of the legendary Mustafa, owner of Red Sea Secrets Diving Centre.
Not only did the diving live up to its renown, we were also shown friendship and hospitality that was equally spectacular.
Highlights
Getting Here
Karima – Atbara: 6am Mini bus, 6 hours. Atbara – Port Sudan: Private Car, organised at bus station, 8 hours 3,800 SDP. (The last bus to Port Sudan leaves before mid-day and we had just missed it)
Sleeping
Baasher Palace Hotel: Large spacious room in the adjacent older building. A higher standard than most accommodation outside of Khartoum so the cockroaches and intermittent hot water should not be judged too harshly. Cornish Street, twin room 1800SDP per night.
Eating
Fresh Fish: Appreciate the splendour of the days catch before taking your pick to one of the near-by restaurants that will cook it up there and then. A short tuk-tuk ride outside of the centre of town.
Ice-Cream Parlours: Like all good sea-side resorts there are a number of places to pick up a cone to enjoy on a sunny day or a balmy evening. Cornish Street
Syrian Restaurant: Simple but tasty middle-eastern dishes with friendly service. The outdoor seating on the main boulevard makes for a nice spot but mind the stray cats, they are hungry too! Cornish Street (check)
