ALECOS
Protected Area
Littoral de Jbel Moussa
Why dive here
With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola), octopuses, sea turtles and sperm whales - ALECOS offers some of Al Hoceima's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 16°C.
Alecos is one of those Mediterranean wrecks we keep coming back to. A bulk carrier that went down in 1975, she’s split into a few sections, which makes for some interesting navigation. At only 10 metres, it’s a comfortable dive, giving you plenty of bottom time to really explore. We love finning through the gaping cargo holds, shafts of sunlight cutting through the gloom, illuminating the schools of glinting damselfish that swirl inside. The wreck itself is a riot of colour now, sponges and soft corals having completely taken over the metalwork. Look closely in the nooks and crannies and you’ll spot moray eels peering out, sometimes a curious octopus. It’s a proper historical dive, feeling like you’ve stumbled upon a sunken ghost ship. If you’re into wreck photography, the light here can be stunning, particularly mid-morning. It’s also a good one for newer wreck divers, giving a taste of penetration without anything too tight or complex.
Typical ALECOS Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
ALECOS Wreck History
Year Sunk
1975
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
collision
The M/V ALECOS began its life in 1958, built by the renowned Sir John Laing & Sons shipyard in Sunderland, England. For nearly two decades, this bulk carrier plied the world's shipping lanes. Its final voyage began in September 1975, when it departed Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, with a course set for Szczecin, Poland. Fate intervened tragically off the coast of Al Hoceima, Morocco. In a rare and unfortunate event, the ALECOS struck a previously submerged, uncharted wreck, tearing a fatal gash in its hull. The ship foundered and sank on September 15, 1975, coming to rest on the seabed.
Today, the ALECOS is a fantastic wreck dive for all experience levels. Sitting upright at a depth of just 10 meters, the site is bathed in the clear, bright light of the Mediterranean. The shallow depth allows for extended, relaxed exploration of the ship's remains. Divers can swim over its cargo holds and deck structures, which are now completely encrusted with sponges and corals. The wreck acts as a magnet for marine life, attracting schools of damselfish, bream, and the occasional grouper hiding within its metallic skeleton, offering a perfect blend of maritime history and vibrant aquatic nature.
Nearest Dive Centres to ALECOS
Dive shops near ALECOS
FAISHASUB
LEON MARINO Diving Center
BUCEO ALGECIRAS
Scubamar
Chems Diving
Dive Charters Gibraltar
Reviews for ALECOS
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ALECOS
ALECOS Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ALECOS, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (35.26, -3.6) (0km away)
August Averages
Sea Temperature
16.4°C
62°F
Air Temperature
26.27°C
79°F
Wind Speed
5 m/s
9.7 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC
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