ARRAYA MENDI
Protected Area
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 - ARRAYA MENDI offers some of Al Hoceima's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 16°C.
The Arraya Mendi, sitting upright at 15 metres, is our kind of wreck dive. It’s got history you can practically feel, a Spanish merchant ship sunk during a storm back in the 1930s. We love how time and the Mediterranean have just completely taken over this vessel. Swimming through the holds, it’s not just the dark, encrusted metal you notice; it’s the schools of damselfish that seem to flicker in and out of the shadows, and the way moray eels peek out from every conceivable crevice. This wreck really feels alive. Barnacles and sponges coat the superstructure, creating a textured, almost organic landscape. We always take our time to peek into the engine room; the light filters down, illuminating the rusted machinery in a way that’s almost eerie. It’s a site that rewards a slow, deliberate dive, giving you time to appreciate the transformation of steel into a living reef. Visibility here can vary, but on a good day, with the sun high, the colours really pop. It’s an accessible depth too, making it a fantastic spot for anyone comfortable with wreck penetration, without needing advanced certs. Just remember, it is an old wreck, so watch your buoyancy inside.
Typical ARRAYA MENDI 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.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
ARRAYA MENDI Wreck History
Year Sunk
1961
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
Tonnage
1,180 GRT
The ARRAYA MENDI was a Spanish steam-powered cargo ship that plied the Mediterranean trade routes. In 1961, while navigating near the Moroccan coast, the vessel struck a reef in the Bay of Al Hoceima during a storm. The impact was catastrophic, and the ship foundered and sank, coming to rest on the sandy seabed not far from where it met its fate. Its loss was a stark reminder of the dangers of coastal navigation in unpredictable weather.
Today, the ARRAYA MENDI is one of the most popular wreck dives in Morocco. Lying at an accessible depth of 15 meters, the wreck is broken into two main sections, allowing divers to easily explore its remains. The bow and stern sections are clearly distinguishable, and the ship's large boilers stand proud in the middle of the debris field. The wreckage has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, teeming with Mediterranean marine life. Divers can expect to encounter moray eels peering from pipes, octopuses camouflaged against the rusted metal, and schools of bream that swarm the superstructure. Its shallow depth and abundant sea life make it a fantastic site for divers of all levels.
Nearest Dive Centres to ARRAYA MENDI
Dive shops near ARRAYA MENDI
Burbujas
Chems Diving
LEON MARINO Diving Center
Dive Charters Gibraltar
FAISHASUB
BUCEO ALGECIRAS
Reviews for ARRAYA MENDI
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for ARRAYA MENDI
ARRAYA MENDI Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for ARRAYA MENDI, 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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