There are three coral habitat groups on the coast: barrier reefs; fringing reefs; and Sanganeb, an oceanic atoll towards the Egyptian border. Most of the coast is bordered by fringing reefs 1-3km wide which are separated by deep channels from a barrier reef 1-14km offshore, which then drops steeply to several hundred metres. The Sanganeb atoll is a unique reef structure rising abruptly from 800m depth to form an atoll that has been recognised as a regionally important conservation area such that it was proposed to UNESCO for World Heritage Status in the 1980s, but there has been no follow-up.

Three primary coral habitats along the Sudanese Red Sea coast are barrier reefs, fringing reefs and Sanganeb, an oceanic atoll (Fig. 2). Most of the coast is bordered by fringing reefs 1 - 3 km wide which are separated by deep channels from a barrier reef of 1 - 14 km offshore. The outer barrier drops steeply to several hundred meters depth. Previous studies along these reefs suggested they are among the most diverse and spectacular in the Red Sea (Head 1980, IUCN/UNEP 1985, Krupp et al. 1993, Ormond 1980, 1987, Schroeder, 1981, Schroeder et al. 1985, Vine & Vine 1980 and Vine 1985). One of the most unique reef structures in the Sudanese Red Sea is Sanganeb atoll (Krupp 1990), whose steep slopes rise from a sea-floor of more than 800 m.

The 750 km Sudanese coast has fringing and barrier reefs and the oceanic Sanganeb Atoll, which is an MPA of global importance. The reefs range in condition from some sites with more than 70% live coral cover to 15% in other areas. In 2002, the average live coral cover was 44% at 5 m and 34% at 10m (range 15% and 57%). The populations of some key indicator fish groups were average to low compared to the other regions of the Red Sea in 2002, although size of fish was generally larger.

The coral reefs in Dungonab Bay, Sanganeb Atoll, Wingate Reef, Shaab Rumi and Suakin are well studied as they are important for tourism, and Donganab Bay and Sanganeb Atoll have been declared as MPAs with management plans that have not been implemented. The reefs near Port Sudan and Port Basheir are also monitored to assess the damage from industrial activity. Corals are widespread and generally healthy inside Dungonab Bay, and outside the Bay there are extensive fringing and patch reefs, and barrier reefs to more than 30 km offshore. Sanganeb, about 30 km from Port Sudan, is the only atoll in the Red Sea, although it is small at 6.5 km by 1.5 km. Coral cover on the back reef and reef flat varies from 10-30%, while on the outer reef wall cover is 40-70% before a vertical drop to a debris slope. Fringing reefs near Port Basheir remain healthy with 35% cover in the back reef, 51% on the flat and 48% on the slope. Corals at Towartit Reef are less diverse than at Basheir and have lower cover (27% in 2002).

The most recent surveys estimate an average coral cover of 40% consisting of 25% hard corals and 15% soft corals at the surveyed sites. Butterflyfish were the most abundant of the Reef Check target group with 7.5/500 m³ while the grouper count was 1.0/500 m³, and parrotfish 1.4/500 m³.