Port Suakin : Profile

Location

Although now in ruins, this ancient port was an important trading centre for 3,000 years. It was built with coral which required constant maintenance and once trade moved to the more modern port of Sudan, it quickly fell into disrepair.

It is located about 30nm south of Port Sudan.

Clearance

Although Suakin is not an official port of entry, boats arriving here from the south have been allowed to clear into Sudan and formalities are reported to be simpler than at Port Sudan.

On arrival, call Port Control on Channel 14. The boat is usually visited by customs and quarantine. Otherwise, check in with the police in New Town (El Geif), which is reached over the causeway.

Local agent Mohammed will attract your attention on arrival. You will need to collect him in your dinghy. He will then accompany you to authorities to help with formalities (he charges about US$40 for his services, less than Port Sudan). He can also help obtain fuel and sweet water (by jerry can), laundry, gas refills, fresh produce, as well as trips to Port Sudan.

You need a passport photo each for shore passes. Costs are about $100 US to clear/port charges. Mohammed will do all the paper work and bring back shore passes the same day or next morning, depending on time you cleared in. Nothing extra for anchoring.

Shore passes will be issued for a short duration only. Formalities must be gone through again if continuing to Port Sudan. Formalities are simpler if one arrives with a Sudanese visa. Passports are retained until clearing out.

When clearing out from Suakin one can obtain a cruising permit which permits cruising up the coast to Port Sudan. Using Mohammed, clearing out is simple, fast and efficient.

Last updated September 2010.