The Nubian flats in Sudan are home to some of the world’s best saltwater fly fishing, with miles of untouched and unspoilt areas for the adventurous, travelling angler to explore. Despite its reputation, Sudan is a safe and inviting place to travel and has been the centre of an exploding scuba diving industry for years. Following the scuba industry’s footsteps, fly fishers soon discovered a rich and rugged flats ecosystem full of exotic species. Fishing against the backdrop of the stark Nubian Desert and the electric blue of the Red Sea, the destination is becoming more and more well-recognised as a saltwater fly fishing paradise.
Along the Red Sea coast of Sudan, there are countless islands and vast expanses of shallow-water flats. These offer the adventurous fly angler a treasure chest of fly-fishing opportunities. There are two areas of operation. Both are extraordinarily unique and offer every guest a great combination of productive flats and blue water fishing, making this destination even more enticing.
Our partners first explored this diverse coastline in May 2013, and since then, they have never looked back and are now proud to offer an annual professionally guided season on the Nubian Flats. Combined with a liveaboard mothership and fishing skiffs, you will get to explore this vast coastline and be able to fish waters that see hardly any to no angling pressure whatsoever.
For years the Nubian Flats were not classed as a viable tourist destination due to the political unrest in the south; however, over the years, things have settled, and tourism is now massively on the increase.
The Red Sea Coast of Sudan is a mecca for scuba diving and boasts three of the top ten dive sights in the world. Every week between one hundred and three hundred divers visit the area, equating to over fifteen thousand tourists over the past fifteen years. In this period, there have been no political or other safety concerns, which is a record the region is incredibly proud of. The Sudanese people are some of the most welcoming and friendly nations you will meet. From the moment you land, they will welcome you with warm, open arms and be proud to show you their environment.
Spanning some 650 kilometres, the Nubian flats of Sudan and its coastline are barren and almost uninhabited; the region is very humid and only receives around 5inches of rain per year. However, amongst the saltwater fly fishing community, they represent a natural, virtually un-explored saltwater playground. Due to the vastness of the area and the fact the fishing days are heavily rotated throughout weeks and months, the fishing pressure is exceptionally sparse, keeping sport as pristine as when the first set of anglers arrived.
Under the watchful eyes of professional South African guides, anglers will experience the wide variety of fishing that this destination has to offer. Guests will spend most of their time focused on exploring the vast swathes of warm water flats. Here you’ll find that many of the traditional flats species like Bonefish, Permit and Milkfish, call this home. However, you’ll also see abundant populations of beautifully coloured Triggerfish and all forms of hard fighting Trevally.
On the edges of the flats in the deeper blue water offshore, there is enormous potential for species like Giant Trevally, Dogtooth Tuna and many Grouper species. This style of fishing is exciting and high paced.
The majority of the fishing is wading on the flats looking for cruising and tailing fish, and conventional saltwater fly fishing tackle is sufficient. 9-foot, 9-weight rods and a quality saltwater disc drag reel, loaded with 200m of 60lb braid, will tame most of the species you’re likely to encounter. However, for the big Trevally species, a 12-weight rod and 80lb braid are preferred. Deepwater dredging off the tender boats with a fly is also another popular tactic. Conventional anglers can do some vertical jigging offshore and popper fishing over specifically earmarked reefs, but no traditional fishing is allowed on the flats and reefs surrounding them.
Visit our YouTube channel to see what the Nubian Flats fishing is all about.
We use two liveaboard motherships for our Nubian flats fishing holidays; the Don Questo for our longer trips in the south and the Felicidad for all trips in the north. Both motherships provide high comfort, thanks to a good layout of the interior and exterior spaces. The Nubian Flats liveaboard is not merely another fishing trip; it’s a trip for the truly adventurous angler, providing the opportunity to experience a setting and culture like no other.
The Don Questo was built in 1964 in Selby, England and was originally a trawling vessel. In 1991 she had a complete overhaul, but it was in 1998 that the Don Questo was upgraded to become a diving & fishing liveaboard ship with renovated toilets, additional cabins, and improved restaurant and kitchen areas. M/Y Felicidad II was Built-in 1991 and is a beautiful 30-meter steel motor yacht, essential and elegant and mainly designed for underwater cruises. Like the Don Questo, in July 2017, she was also completely renovated.
On each liveaboard, there’s also a series of tender boats used to transport anglers to the in-shore fishing grounds. One of the great things about staying on a mothership is you’re close to the fishing action, so each day, there’s no long run out to the fishing grounds, which means more time spent fishing.
The Don Questo features seven double cabins and one triple, but as we limit numbers to six customers per week, plus one group leader, it means everyone gets their own private room.
There are four showers and five toilets for customers to share, and all the w.c.’s are of the standard domestic variety with a single flush action.
The dining area comfortably seats twenty people, and there is a recreational room with a television, video recorder, DVD and hi-fi system. The boat is fully air-conditioned in all areas.
The upper deck features plenty of sunbeds and deckchairs and is a sunbathers paradise and the perfect spot to stretch out and enjoy the hot Sudanese sun!
The Felicidad’s lower deck has eight double cabins, divided into six cabins with a double bed and a single one and two cabins with two bunk beds. All cabins have air conditioning and a private bathroom with a hot and cold shower, a toilet equipped with a shower and medium towels. As we only run these liveaboard trip with six customers, each person gets a single room to themself.
In the main deck, there is the cosy internal dinette, with two tables for breakfast and lunch, equipped with a minibar, TV, hi-fi, mp3 player, board games, video library and a well-stocked international library.
The upper deck has two lunch tables in the open air to enjoy the scenery, many sofas and large sundecks where you can read, chat and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.
Expert Nubian flats guides assure high-quality services on board, supported by the available local and Italian speaking crew and an excellent chef who will delight you with his cuisine based on Italian, international, and local specialities.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants, who can explain all options available.
Note we have available either 10-night South or 7-night North trips; please enquire.
Nubian Flats Deep South 10-Night Package:
We have long known that this area produces exceptional fish, but required a special boat in order to access the area. The boat that we are using is a 100ft Steel hull boat that was originally built as a commercial fishing boat for the North Sea. This boat allows us to navigate under any weather conditions and is spacious and comfortable. Each guest has their own cabin, with ample space. We are also able to combine diving and fly fishing for the trip, as the liveaboard is a fully functioning dive charter boat. Just let us know in advance and we will make the necessary arrangements.
These trips are based on 10 nights on board, with between 8.5 to 9 days of fishing (depending on weather conditions and travel times). The basic itinerary is to set sail on the first night of charter, arriving at the first flats mid-morning on your first full day. The boat returns to Port Sudan for your last night of the charter.
Nubian Flats Northern 7-night package:
The original Nubian Flats itinerary. The Northern circuit is best known for its expansive main-land flats and large island flats. Here anglers can expect shots at trophy-sized GT and Triggerfish. If a trophy is what you are after, and your time is limited. This is a great option.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Dubai
On arrival in Dubai take a taxi to your overnight hotel.
Overnight accommodation: Dubai Hotel (Single room) B/B
Depart Dubai
Arrive Port Sudan
Upon arrival and once you have cleared customs you will be greeted by an English speaking representative from African Waters who will transfer you to the marina where the mothership will be waiting. (transfer approx. 3 hours)
Overnight accommodation: Liveaboard mother ship (Single room) F/B
Over the next 9 days, you will travel to the deep south and get to experience the vast remote flats of the country. You will get to choose if you want to wade or fish the deeper drop-offs. Along with your guide, you will be targeting many different species. The most prolific fish on Nubian Flats has to be the Triggerfish and Bluefin Trevally, these are exciting fish to target, and double-figure days are very common.
Overnight accommodation: Liveaboard mother ship (Single room) F/B
Once the mothership has docked, you will be transferred back to Port Sudan for your return flights. (transfer approx. 3 hours)
Depart Port Sudan
On Saturday you will arrive in Dubai where you will need to spend your last night in an overnight hotel.
Overnight accommodation: Dubai Hotel (Single room) B/B
Depart Dubai
Arrive Home
The season runs from Feb to June.
Season: Feb to June
Peak: March to May
Weight: 130 lb
Average Weight: 35 lb
Season: Feb to June
Peak: March to May
Weight: 11 lb
Average Weight: 4.5 lb
Season: Feb to June
Peak: March to May
Weight: 33 lb
Average Weight: 11 lb
Season: Feb to June
Peak: March to May
Weight: 12 lb
Average Weight: 4.5 lb
Season: Feb to June
Peak: March to May
Weight: 22 lb
Average Weight: 14 lb
Season: Feb to June
Peak: March to May
Weight: 66 lb
Average Weight: 17 lb
Season: Feb to June
Peak: March to May
Weight: 33 lb
Average Weight: 13 lb
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Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/04/2024 | 28/04/2024 | 14 | £8,472 | Sold Out | ||
| 8.5 days fishing package | 8.5 days fishing package | |||||
| 26/04/2024 | 09/05/2024 | 14 | £8,472 | Sold Out | ||
| 8.5 days fishing package | 8.5 days fishing package | |||||
| 01/02/2025 | 28/02/2025 | 14 | £8,813 | Enquire Now | ||
| 8.5 days fishing package | 8.5 days fishing package | |||||
| 01/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | 14 | £8,813 | Enquire Now | ||
| 8.5 days fishing package | 8.5 days fishing package | |||||
| 01/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | 14 | £8,813 | Enquire Now | ||
| 8.5 days fishing package | 8.5 days fishing package | |||||
| 01/05/2025 | 31/05/2025 | 14 | £8,813 | Enquire Now | ||
| 8.5 days fishing package | 8.5 days fishing package | |||||
Prices are based on two adults sharing transfers, fishing and single rooms for accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
I won't lie I was a little dubious about staying on a liveaboard, but it was clean, comfortable and a fantastic base to travel from each day. The fishing was fantastic and throughout the trip, I landed a plethora of different species.
What a breathtaking destination! The operation from start to finish was an absolute dream, the staff and guides were amazing and did everything they could to ensure we had the very best time. Nubian flats I will be back!
50lb Giant Trevally, numerous 4lb+ Bonefish, a handful of Triggerfish and even a Milkfish ensured that I had the most wonderful time on the Nubian flats. The waters were warm, crystal clear and certainly fish-filled! Where to go next...
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This exciting new hosted popper and jig fishing trip is hosted by our guide Ross Johnson and will give you the opportunity to fish the rich waters off the coastline of Madagascar and Nosy Be, for a vast array of blue water species including Giant Trevally, huge Dogtooth Tuna, Grouper, King Mackerel, Amberjack, Black Marlin, and Sailfish, to mention just a few.
