Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park

Nature Reserve Red Sea marine park protecting coral reefs and islands

A Sudanese marine protected area in the Red Sea, Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay-Mukkawar protects coral reefs, seagrass and marine megafauna; divers and conservationists visit for snorkeling, diving and reef research.

Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay - Mukkawar Island Marine National Park are adjacent protected marine areas in Sudan’s Red Sea, combining an offshore atoll and a coastal bay with islands. The serial property conserves coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and associated marine life.

The near-circular Sanganeb Atoll, notable for its coral walls and dive sites, and the sheltered Dungonab Bay with Mukkawar Island, which supports seagrass beds used by dugongs and provides nesting beaches for turtles. These areas are valued for coral diversity and as habitats for large marine fauna.

The parks were established to protect these relatively intact reef and coastal ecosystems and to regulate fishing and other activities. Conservation management aims to balance local use with protection of biodiversity and important breeding grounds.

Geographically the sites lie off the coast of Sudan in the Red Sea, east of the Nile Valley, within the maritime zone of Red Sea State. They are accessed from coastal ports and are offshore conservation areas rather than continental attractions.

Marine biodiversity: The protected area combines offshore reef systems and coastal bays, supporting coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows that are important for marine biodiversity including dugongs and sea turtles.

What to See #

Sanganeb Atoll: Sanganeb Atoll, a near-circular coral formation with a central lagoon and fringing reef that supports coral assemblages and diverse reef fish.
Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island: Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island, a large bay with mangroves, seagrass beds and islands that provide habitat for dugongs and nesting sea turtles.

How to Get to Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park #

Both Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay-Mukkawar Island Marine National Park are offshore Red Sea protected areas and are reached by boat. The usual embarkation points are Port Sudan or the historic port of Suakin (Sawakin), where dive operators and boat charters run day trips and longer liveaboard excursions to the reefs and islands.

Visits require coordination with local operators and Sudanese authorities for permits; once aboard, access is by sea only.

Tips for Visiting Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park #

Arrange diving or snorkeling trips through licensed operators based in Port Sudan and plan trips in the cooler/drier months (roughly October-April) when sea conditions are calmer and visibility is best.
The area is a protected marine site-book operators who have park permissions and brief yourself on conservation rules (no fishing or coral collection) so you don't inadvertently breach regulations.
To reach less-visited reefs, consider liveaboard or multi‑day trips rather than day boats from Port Sudan; these give you access to remote atolls with fewer visitors and better wildlife encounters.