ALTONA

Best months: Aug

Why dive here

With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola), octopuses, sea turtles and sperm whales - ALTONA offers some of Al Hoceima's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 16-23°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeAug

WetsuitA 3mm full wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola), Octopuses, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 140+ species recorded

Water16-23°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive · max 2m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Altona wreck, lying off Al Hoceima, offers a really interesting dive. At a maximum depth of just two metres, this isn't about deep exploration, it’s about accessible history and light. The ship, a 145-metre motor vessel, went down in 1979 after an engine room fire, a proper maritime drama. We love how much of the superstructure is still there, poking just below the surface; it means you can practically snorkel over significant portions. It’s an excellent spot for newer divers, or for those who just want a relaxed, long bottom time. We’ve spent ages just drifting over the deck, watching the play of light on the twisted metal. The fish life here, while not in huge schools, is surprisingly diverse given the shallow depth. You’ll spot damselfish flitting through the beams and occasionally a curious octopus tucked into a crevice. Our favourite detail is the sheer scale of it; even shallow, you get a real sense of its former life. Conditions are usually calm, making it a reliable pick when you're in the area.

Typical ALTONA 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.

Today06:2917:5611h 27m daylightGolden hour 17:21

ALTONA Wreck History

Year Sunk

1979

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

fire

Tonnage

8,579 GRT

The M.V. 'Altona' was a modern cargo vessel built in Port Glasgow, Scotland, in 1959. Her career came to an abrupt and fiery end on May 5, 1979. While on a long passage from Dunkirk, France, to Kuwait, a catastrophic fire erupted in her engine room. The blaze quickly grew out of control, forcing the crew to abandon ship off the coast of Al Hoceima, Morocco. Adrift and burning, the vessel eventually ran aground, where the sea and salvage efforts broke her apart, rendering her a total loss.

Resting at an incredible depth of just 2 meters, the 'Altona' is less of a scuba dive and more of a snorkeling or wading adventure. This makes it uniquely accessible to almost anyone. Lying so close to the shore, the wreck has been heavily battered by decades of surf, scattering its structure across the shallows. Explorers can swim over twisted plates, see the remnants of the ship's framework, and imagine the drama of its final hours. It's a stark and fascinating look at a relatively recent maritime disaster, offering a tangible connection to the power of both fire and the sea.