What is the maximum port number?

(2^16)-1, or 0-65,535 (the -1 is because port 0 is reserved and unavailable). (edited because o_O Tync reminded me that we can’t use port 0, and Steve Folly reminded me that you asked for the highest port, not the number of ports)

But you’re probably going about this the wrong way. There are people who argue for and against non-standard ports. I say they’re irrelevant except to the most casual scanner, and the most casual scanner can be kept at bay by using up-to-date software and proper firewall techniques, along with strong passwords. In other words, security best practices.