CAMPONAVIA - Al Hoceima

We love a wreck that still feels like a ship, and Campenovia delivers. This isn't some scattered pile of scrap; she sits upright, a proper 123-metre tanker, sunk back in '85. Descending onto her deck at 18 metres, you still get that sense of scale, the structure of it all. It’s not just a quick pass-over either; there are plenty of spots to poke around, with massive hatches and open cargo holds inviting exploration. What makes it special is how quickly the marine life has taken over. You’ll find schools of damselfish flitting through the superstructure, and we’ve spotted moray eels peeking from every crevice. Our favourite detail? The sheer density of soft corals that have blossomed along the rails and bulkheads, a surprisingly colourful garden on what was once a steel behemoth. It's a fantastic dive for anyone who enjoys the story of a wreck, not just the thrill, with enough to see for a solid hour underwater.

Location
Al Hoceima, Morocco, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.177555, -5.396333
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
18m

Wreck History - CAMPONAVIA

Year Sunk
1985
Vessel Type
tanker
Cause
unknown

The Camponavia was a relatively modern tanker, built in 1973 in Gijon, Spain, for the Spanish state-owned oil company, CAMPSA. For over a decade, it served its role in transporting petroleum products, a workhorse of the Mediterranean energy trade. Its career came to an abrupt end on May 26, 1985, in the Moroccan port of Al Hoceima.

The circumstances of its sinking are not widely documented, with records simply stating that the vessel 'sank alongside'. This suggests an incident while moored at the pier, possibly a collision with the quay, an accident during loading or unloading, or a sudden hull failure. Whatever the cause, the Camponavia went down in the harbor, coming to rest on the seabed.

Today, the Camponavia lies at a very accessible depth of 18 meters, making it a fantastic and popular dive site for all levels of divers. The wreck is largely intact, offering a chance to explore the superstructure, decks, and large cargo holds of a substantial modern vessel. Over the decades, it has transformed into a thriving artificial reef, attracting schools of fish and a variety of Mediterranean marine life that now call its steel structure home.

Marine Protected Area: Littoral de Jbel Moussa

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

Nearest Dive Centres to CAMPONAVIA

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

Recommended Packing List for CAMPONAVIA

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