CARPIO

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 - CARPIO 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 18m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Carpio is one of those sites we always recommend to newer wreck divers, or anyone who just wants a relaxed dive with plenty to see. It’s a fishing trawler, sunk deliberately, so it’s sitting upright and intact at a friendly 18 metres. You can swim through the wheelhouse and down into the engine room, really getting a feel for the vessel. We love how the light filters through the openings, creating these shifting patterns on the inside bulkheads. The wreck itself has become a home for a surprising amount of Mediterranean life. We've seen moray eels peeking from every crevice, big schools of damselfish flitting around the mast, and often a grumpy stonefish pretending to be part of the deck. On a good day, visibility here is fantastic, letting you appreciate the whole wreck from a distance before you get up close. It’s a gentle drift dive often, so you just let the current guide you along the length of the trawler. Our favourite time to dive Carpio is mid-morning, just after the sun has properly risen over the bay.

Typical CARPIO 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.

Today06:3117:5711h 26m daylightGolden hour 17:23

CARPIO Wreck History

Vessel Type

unknown

Cause

unknown

The origins of the Carpio wreck, resting in the clear Mediterranean waters off Al Hoceima, Morocco, are shrouded in mystery. Little is known about this vessel's history or the circumstances of its sinking. What remains is an intriguing and highly accessible dive site, perfect for divers of all levels. Lying at a shallow depth of just 18 meters, the Carpio is an excellent location for a relaxed exploration, a checkout dive, or underwater photography.

Divers visiting the site will be greeted by the vessel's prominent masts, which still reach up towards the surface, creating a classic wreck silhouette. The structure has become a vibrant artificial reef, attracting a host of local marine life. Schools of fish dart through its decaying framework, and colorful invertebrates have colonized its surfaces. The gentle depth and generally good visibility make the Carpio a rewarding and enigmatic dive, offering a glimpse into a forgotten story waiting to be told.