COLLINDALE - Al Hoceima

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.

Location: Al Hoceima, Morocco, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 35.281384, -2.929100
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 7m

Marine Protected Area: Gourougou Sebkha Bouareg

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to COLLINDALE

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

loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis) - Whales & Dolphins
Blackfish (Globicephala melas) - Whales & Dolphins
Blackmouth catshark (Galeus melastomus) - Sharks & Rays
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Pink (Hoplostethus mediterraneus) - Reef Fish
Velvet belly lantern shark (Etmopterus spinax) - Sharks & Rays
Common Atlantic Grenadier (Nezumia aequalis) - Reef Fish
Jac (Helicolenus dactylopterus) - Reef Fish
Lanternfish (Lampanyctus crocodilus) - Reef Fish
Boa Dragonfish (Stomias boa) - Reef Fish
European flying squid (Todarodes sagittatus) - Octopus & Squid
Rabbitfish (Chimaera monstrosa)
Axefish (Argyropelecus hemigymnus) - Reef Fish
Roughnosed Rattail (Trachyrincus scabrus) - Reef Fish
conger (Conger conger) - Reef Fish
Gunner (Pagellus bogaraveo) - Reef Fish
Spotted Lanternfish (Myctophum punctatum) - Reef Fish
Blackspot Grenadier (Coelorinchus caelorhincus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for COLLINDALE

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