EAST NO.1 AERO BARGE - Al Hoceima
Diving the EAST NO.1 AERO BARGE is a proper trip back in time, a tangible piece of history sitting upright at 25 metres. We love how well-preserved it is, considering its age. The barge is small, only 16.2 metres, but the structure is still incredibly intact, with big, open holds just begging for a peek inside. You'll find schools of damselfish flitting through the superstructure and plenty of colourful nudibranchs clinging to the metal. It's a fantastic spot for photographers, especially if you can get there when the sun is higher in the sky, lighting up the interior. We’d suggest keeping an eye out for octopus tucked into crevices. This site suits divers who appreciate historical wrecks and aren't looking for sprawling coral gardens. It’s a quiet, reflective dive, feeling more like an archaeological visit than just another reef.
- Location
- Al Hoceima, Morocco, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.144670, -5.327667
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 25m
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
- ALECOS - 10m (wreck)
- ALEX - 17m (wreck)
- ALFREDO - 6m (wreck)
- ALGIBE A3 - 30m (wreck)
- ALTONA - 2m (wreck)
- ARALAR - 3m (wreck)
- ARANDA CHICO - 2m (wreck)
- ARRAYA MENDI - 15m (wreck)
- Arrecife del Cañaveral (reef)
- ARUNDALE - 1m (wreck)
- ASTENE III - 14m (wreck)
- BADALONA - 1m (wreck)
- BLACKHEATH - 6m (wreck)
- BRIDGET CAROLINE - 6m (wreck)
- Cala Iris - 5-20m
Nearest Dive Centres to EAST NO.1 AERO BARGE
- Abysub - ["PADI"]
- Almunecar Dive Center - ["PADI"]
- Black Frog Divers - ["PADI"]
- BUCEO ALGECIRAS
- Buceo Almunecar - SSI
- BUCEO AQUALIA - SSI, UTD
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 EAST NO.1 AERO BARGE
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