ARANDA CHICO
Why dive here
With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola), octopuses, sea turtles and sperm whales - ARANDA CHICO offers some of Al Hoceima's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 16°C.
Aranda Chico is a fantastic little wreck, and we love it for its sheer accessibility and how much it packs into such a shallow dive. This isn't some deep, dark technical challenge; it's a playful explore, maxing out at a mere 2m. We’re talking snorkel depth, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not a proper wreck. You can spend a full hour just poking around the remains of the tug vessel. What makes it special? The light. It streams through the superstructure, illuminating the schools of small bream darting in and out, their scales flashing like scattered coins. Look closely, and you'll spot blennies perched on the rusted metal, watching you with curious eyes. It’s ideal for photographers wanting to practice natural light wreck shots, or for newer divers and even snorkelers who want a genuine wreck experience without the depth. Our favourite time to dive it is late afternoon when the sun hits it at an angle, painting the whole scene in golden hues.
Typical ARANDA CHICO 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.
ARANDA CHICO Wreck History
Year Sunk
1974
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
unknown
The Aranda Chico was a hardworking tugboat operating in the busy Spanish port of Motril. In February 1974, disaster struck when the vessel sank for unknown reasons within the port's river basin. Its sinking was not a quiet affair; the wreck created a significant navigational hazard, becoming so problematic that it forced authorities to restrict all shipping movements in the port to daylight hours only, causing major disruption to maritime commerce.
While the Aranda Chico is sometimes listed in wreck databases, it is a ghost in the diving world. Due to the critical obstruction it caused, a salvage operation was mounted almost immediately. Just one month after its sinking, in March 1974, the tug was successfully refloated and removed from the basin. The Aranda Chico is therefore not a diveable wreck, but its story is an interesting piece of maritime history, highlighting the vital role of port operations and the swift action required to clear a blocked channel and keep the sea lanes open.
Nearest Dive Centres to ARANDA CHICO
Dive shops near ARANDA CHICO
ESCUELA DE BUCEO BUBBLES SEA
BUCEO CALAHONDA
Buceo Almunecar
Almunecar Dive Center
Buceo La Herradura
DIFFERENT SCUBA SCHOOL
Reviews for ARANDA CHICO
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARANDA CHICO
ARANDA CHICO Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARANDA CHICO, 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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