wreck

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COLLINDALE

Collindale. Even the name sounds like a story. This isn't some deep, dark, advanced wreck. No, Collindale sits in just 7 metres of water, a steamship that ran aground near Al Hoceima back in 1904. For us, that shallow depth is its magic. You get incredible light penetration, painting the wreck in blues and greens, making it feel less like a somber relic and more like an open-air museum. The ship's structure is well broken up, but you can clearly trace its outline. We love picking out the boilers, now completely covered in sponges and small anemones. Schools of juvenile barracuda often hang motionless above the bigger plates of steel, flickering in the sun. It's an ideal spot for macro enthusiasts, too; we've spent entire dives just peering into crevices, spotting nudibranchs and small crabs. We'd suggest going on a calm morning, before any afternoon chop stirs things up. The clarity can be astounding then, sometimes 20 metres plus, letting you take in the whole scene from above before settling in closer. It's a superb wreck dive for anyone, even those new to wreck exploration, offering a true sense of history without any of the inherent dangers of deeper, intact vessels.