Buceo La Herradura

Al Hoceima, Morocco

The team at Buceo La Herradura are the real deal, a family operation with a palpable passion for the local waters. We’ve always been impressed by their personal approach, especially when it comes to instruction. They run a PADI 5 Star IDC, which tells you they’re serious about developing instructors, but that same meticulousness carries over into every course, from Open Water onward. If you’re looking to truly hone your skills, or even kickstart a career in diving, this is a seriously solid choice. What we love most about diving with them, though, is their knowledge of the Al Hoceima coastline. They know every nook and cranny, where the moray eels like to hide and the best spots to find octopus camouflaged against the rocks. The visibility here can be superb, particularly outside of the summer months, often reaching 25 metres. We’d suggest going early in the morning; the light filtering through the caves and arches is genuinely spectacular, and you might just have the place to yourself before the daytrippers arrive. They keep their groups small, which means more bottom time and less waiting around.