Congratulations Kent
I have met several US citizens in Port Sudan. There are a few actually working in Sudan and many of them go to the Red Sea coast on holidays. But it is of course not the every day tourist location. Only in the last years it has opened up. Before it was quite some work to get a tourist visa. Today it is much easier, you can actually get it on arrival in Port Sudan. However for americans I can imagine a bit more paperwork is neccessary due to politics.
The quality of the diving is world class. Even though Egypt has some world class locations, they do not have the diversity and quantity of marine life as the best in Sudan. Time of year is however very important. I preffer the spring when many of the reefs in Sudan are a real shark cirkus. Depending on when you go, you will not be alone on some of the more famous reefs. I belive there are now 15-20 liveaboards operating from Port Sudan. But it will not be crowded. And chances are good that your boat will be the only one in sight for part of the trip, considering you go north from Sha'ab Rumi to Angarosh etc. or south into the Suakin island group.
The reason for many to not go to Sudan is that it actually is quite a bit more expensive. You can go to Brother Islands in Egypt for peanuts from Europe. Going to Port Sudan involves an extra flight, extra hotel nights, tourist/dive tax ... It adds up compared to a dive trip to Egypt. Also I think there are some security concerns. Real or imagined I will leave for each and every one to decide.
You do not need to worry about your video-equipment. The customs will do a thorough search of your luggage, but it is not a problem. Sudan has been a destination primarily for UW-photographers and video-graphers. They are used to it. I have brought UW-camera equipment several times and friends have brought video-equipment.
However, do not bring any alcoholic beverages, as sharia laws apply and Sudan is a 'dry' country. If you'd like a beer or a glass of wine in the evening, you can usually buy it on the liveaboard.
Highlights, hmm, let's see: a whaleshark, numerous manta rays and mobula rays, schooling hammerheads (40-50), grey reef sharks that come in 'very' close, silvertips, silky sharks, oceanic white tip, huge barracuda and jack schools, dolphins uw, schooling bumphead parrotfish (uw-buffalo herd) beautiful undamaged and unbleached coral etc. The whale shark was a one time lucky experience, don't count on it, but the other stuff is more common. But is is of course wild life, and conditions during your specific trip will affect what you encounter. And then, of course the famous s/s Umbrea if you are into wrecks. Sha'ab Rumis south plateaux is always very good, but can be a real mind bender even for the well travelled, seasoned diver, concerning you have the right conditions. Angarosh is also a favourite with plenty of various sharks (Angarosh is a version of 'Um El Kurush' which translates to 'Mother of Sharks') and astonishing soft coral. It is however very weather dependent.
There are places in the world who have more sharks, better viz., nicer soft coral, bigger schools of fish more wrecks etc. But the beauty of the Sudanese Red Sea is that it has everything in a very nice combination, which makes it unique. In the fall you can see the manta dance in the Mesharifa Channel, which was discovered by Hans Hass in the late 40's and then 'rediscovered' by your fellow countrymen Dr. Peter Vine in 1979, if my memory serves me right.
Here are some pictures I have taken in Sudan:
http://www.dykarna.nu/photoAlbum/album.asp?userId=4389&albumId=1112
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you want some more info.
/christian
I am only slightly kidding.
