Possible or am I dreaming?

[Polpessa]

I really want to do a live-aboard in Sudan but can't afford the high prices.

Does anyone think it would be possible to go to Port Sudan by myself and then ask boats if they've got an empty spot they'd be willing to sell at a discount, or would they never allow this, or are all the spaces always sold out way before hand?

Also, any reccomendations about liveaboard operators for the Sudan welcome.

 

[crispos]

I want to do Sudan as well. Let me know what you find out.

 

[DeepSeaFox]

Depends on the season I think

 

[DocVikingo]

Port Sudan is a pretty rough neighborhood. Exercise caution.

Best regards.

DocVikingo

 

[Christian]

Things have become a lot easier in Sudan the last year. I have been there three times in the last five years. First time on a cruise coming from Egypt and the two other trips I travelled into Port Sudan. Visas used to be pretty hard to get for tourists unless everything was arranged in advance, but I heard from friends you are able to get visas at the airport as of 2003. However I doubt it is a good idea to just go to Port Sudan and try to get space on a liveaboard. And I doubt it will get very much cheaper since the costs making a trip expensive isn't the liveaboard price. The cost for liveaboards in Port Sudan are actually quite cheap compared to most other places. The expensive parts are all the extras: the flights into Port Sudan, visas and diving permission (National Park Fee). You would have to pay all these expenses either way, so ... Better book everything in advance.

good luck

Christian

 

[Polpessa]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Deep Sea Fox, you think it would make a difference what month I go? What would be the best month to go in your opinion and what do you base your info on? Thanks very much in advance!

Christian, you may be right. However if I went to Port Sudan myself I wasn't thinking of flying into Port Sudan but rather going overland from Egypt. Liveaboard prices for Sudan are, from what I've seen, at least 1,000 US more expensive for a week long trip than the ones in Egypt. Are the visas and diving park fees really going to add up to that much? I don't think overland travel will cost that much...

 

[DeepSeaFox]

Polpessa once bubbled...
Deep Sea Fox, you think it would make a difference what month I go? What would be the best month to go in your opinion and what do you base your info on? Thanks very much in advance!

I have been trying to book myself for early October and most boats seem to be full until November at this stage. Seems October is the peak season.

 

[Christian]

I have never heard of anyone travelling overland into Sudan. I think it might be impossible due to a number of reasons, both legal and practical. Sudan is a very under developed land with minimal infrastructure, I would strongly advice against trying this, as I am most certain it would not work.

Some numbers from the top of my head for one week, not dead accurate but ...

Flight Cairo-Port Sudan: 300-350 Euro
Liveaboard one week 600 Euro (Don Questo, inmo the best ship in Sudan)
Sudanese visa 75 Euro
National Park Fee 100-125 Euro

cheers

/christian

 

[Rembert]

Hi Polpessa,
here is some further information to your questions, which I saw only yesterday.

Travel overland from North
The border Egypt - Sudan is closed with exception of Assuan - Wadi Halfa, crossing the lake Nasser by ferryboat. Before you go into this adventure of travelling overland from Egypt to Port Sudan check the EDA, Bern for actual travel advice. Sudan has more than only one civil war area. :boom:
-------------------------SDS info---------------------------------
Additional cost for dive cruises from Port Sudan
The standard dive package includes transfer from the airport in Port Sudan to the boat (round trip), 7 nights aboard in half double cabin, full board with coffee or tea. Mineral water consumption will be charged. The rates published on our website SDS Europe for the standard dive package don’t include the following additional cost

List of possible additional cost
GBP 250.- ca. the flight ticket Cairo - Port Sudan and back can be provided. The flight Sudan Air 105 leaves Cairo every Saturday by 20.00 h
GBP 250.- ca. The charter flight London or Northwest Europe - Cairo should be found without big difficulties, if you don’t want to travel during the high season around Easter or Christmas
GBP 105.- ca. 2 x overnight in Cairo with transfers and visa for Egypt, if necessary.

(GBP 520.- ca.) alternative flight connection with Yemenia London – Sana`a – Port Sudan and back. Hotel in Sana`a with breakfast and lunch is included in the flight ticket. – flights are temporarily suspended due to the Bagdad saga.

GBP 35.- ca. Sudan – visa obtain before departure after booking from the next Sudan embassy at 3 Cleveland Row / St. James, London SW1a IDD applications from www.sudanembuk.net or call 020 – 78398080.

USD 150.- Dive permission for 1 week or USD 200.- for 2 weeks to be paid in cash after arrival in Port Sudan.

USD 20.- Airport tax Port Sudan will be charged in cash upon departure.

Above costs with the ca.-indication depend on the flight schedule, your wishes and expectations (hotel in Cairo) or the exchange rate for US-Dollar and GB-Pounds (visa).

Our boats M/Y Felicidad II and S/Y Ernesto Leoni sail under Italian flag and offer sometimes Italian cuisine. The language aboard for briefings will be English or Italian. Don’t fix your holidays before, if you want to participate alone or with buddy in a dive cruise. Your chance to find a cabin and join another group will be better, if period is open.
-------------------------end of SDS info----------------------

This is the standard information for British divers in English. Christian from Stockholm talked about a good experience with M/Y Don Questo. She is one good Italian boat between others. New boats will arrive in Port Sudan for this winter season.

Most rates for dive packages are still in US-Dollars between USD 760 and 840. Polpessa, I think, that you can get the lower rate, if you come in the lower season - May to September. The additional cost will not change.
Ciao
Rembert
........... and don`t forget, diving in Sudan belongs to the best of the Red Sea, but not for beginners.

 

[Christian]

Please note that on most boats you will only be offered two dives a day and one night dive a week. If you want more they will charge you extra per dive, sometimes as much as US$25. Some skippers just refuse to give more than two dives and say it is for security reasons.

The only skipper I have talked to yet (and I have talked to many of them in Port Sudan, on the phone and via e-mail) that has been very flexible and totally understanding about this matter has been Lorenzo on Don Questo. You can dive as much as you like - no problem, no extra cost. There might be others now as well, as things happen rather quicly in Sudan right now.

They also have a small chamber onboard which adds a little bit extra safety, however medical care in Sudan is non existent, so better dive careful.

Don Questo have a huge watertank, which means that you never have to think about fresh water supplies - you can rinse camera and video equipment thoroughly. The boat itself is also very sturdy (converted scottish fishing trawler from the North Sea) and can take passangers in comfort to places like Angarosh etc. even if it's a bit windy.

Please note that I have absolutely no financial interest in this ship.

cheers

Christian