ALGIBE A3 - Al Hoceima
ALGIBE A3 feels like stepping into a forgotten corner of history, a real standout for us in Al Hoceima. This isn't just a hunk of metal on the seabed, it's a ship with a story, sunk deliberately, and now it’s a proper artificial reef. Dropping down to 30 meters, you start to make out the shape of the hull, largely intact, sitting upright. We love exploring the cargo holds, they're surprisingly open and you can penetrate a good distance with the right training, of course. What makes it special are the schools of bream and damselfish that swarm the superstructure. They're so dense sometimes, it's like swimming through a silver curtain. Look closely, and you’ll spot moray eels tucked into every nook and cranny, their heads poking out with that classic wary stare. The light here can be really dramatic, especially on a sunny afternoon, dappling through the deck plates. Our favourite detail is the stern, it’s still relatively defined, and you can imagine the ship in its working life. For experienced wreck divers who appreciate a wreck with a bit of character and plenty of fish life, ALGIBE A3 is a fantastic dive. Just be mindful of currents, they can pick up, especially further out.
- Location
- Al Hoceima, Morocco, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.650555, -2.800556
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 30m
Wreck History - ALGIBE A3
- Vessel Type
- barge
- Cause
- unknown
The history of the Algibe A3 is shrouded in mystery. Located off the coast of Al Hoceima, Morocco, little is known about this vessel's origins or how it came to rest on the seabed. The name 'Algibe' is Spanish for cistern or water tank, suggesting it may have been a water barge or tanker. Its official designation as a 'Dangerous Wreck' hints at potential hazards for shipping or divers, such as structural instability or entanglement risks. For advanced divers, the Algibe A3 offers an intriguing exploration at 30 metres. It's a dive into the unknown, a chance to explore a wreck without a known story and uncover its secrets for yourself in the clear Moroccan waters.
Best Time to Dive in Al Hoceima
The warmest water temperatures in Al Hoceima occur in January, averaging 16.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 16.4°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 16.4°C (air: 13.6°C)
- February: 16.4°C (air: 14.8°C)
- March: 16.4°C (air: 15.7°C)
- April: 16.4°C (air: 17.3°C)
- May: 16.4°C (air: 19.9°C)
- June: 16.4°C (air: 22.5°C)
- July: 16.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
- August: 16.4°C (air: 26.3°C)
- September: 16.4°C (air: 23.9°C)
- October: 16.4°C (air: 20.9°C)
- November: 16.4°C (air: 17.6°C)
- December: 16.4°C (air: 15.2°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Al Hoceima
- ALECOS - 10m (wreck)
- ALEX - 17m (wreck)
- ALFREDO - 6m (wreck)
- ALTONA - 2m (wreck)
- ARALAR - 3m (wreck)
- ARANDA CHICO - 2m (wreck)
- ARRAYA MENDI - 15m (wreck)
- Arrecife del Cañaveral (reef)
- ARUNDALE - 1m (wreck)
- ASTENE III - 14m (wreck)
- BADALONA - 1m (wreck)
- BLACKHEATH - 6m (wreck)
- BRIDGET CAROLINE - 6m (wreck)
- Cala Iris - 5-20m
- Cala Iza - 12m
Nearest Dive Centres to ALGIBE A3
- Abysub - ["PADI"]
- Almunecar Dive Center - ["PADI"]
- Black Frog Divers - ["PADI"]
- BUCEO ALGECIRAS
- Buceo Almunecar - SSI
- BUCEO AQUALIA - SSI, UTD
Marine Life in Al Hoceima
Home to 143 recorded species including 96 reef fish, 11 octopus & squid, 10 sharks & rays, 9 whales & dolphins, 3 crabs & lobsters, 2 other.
Notable Species
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
- Blackfish (Globicephala melas) - Whales & Dolphins
- Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) - Sharks & Rays
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Pink (Hoplostethus mediterraneus) - Reef Fish
- Velvet belly lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax) - Sharks & Rays
- Common Atlantic Grenadier (Nezumia aequalis) - Reef Fish
- Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
- Lanternfish (Lampanyctus crocodilus) - Reef Fish
- Boa Dragonfish (Stomias boa) - Reef Fish
- European flying squid (Todarodes sagittatus) - Octopus & Squid
- Rabbitfish (Chimaera monstrosa)
- Axefish (Argyropelecus hemigymnus) - Reef Fish
- Roughnosed Rattail (Trachyrincus scabrus) - Reef Fish
- conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
- Gunner (Pagellus bogaraveo) - Reef Fish
- Spotted Lanternfish (Myctophum punctatum) - Reef Fish
- Blackspot Grenadier (Coelorinchus caelorhincus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for ALGIBE A3
Based on average water temperature of 16.4°C.
- Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 16°C water
- Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories