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EXCELLENT

Al Hoceima's EXCELLENT wreck, a schooner that went down in 1888 after a run-in with the SS Memling, genuinely lives up to its name. At 27 metres, it’s a good, solid dive that rewards careful exploration. We love how intact it still is, its ribs and decking draped in a vibrant tapestry of sponges and anemones. You can poke around the bow, where the anchor chain still lies, or fin along the length of the hull, imagining its final moments. The sheer size of the EXCELLENT, at nearly 80 metres long, gives it a grand, almost ghostly presence on the seabed. Schools of barracuda often circle the mast, their silver scales catching the light, and we’ve seen some surprisingly large groupers patrolling its shadowy interior. For photographers, the way the light filters through the structure, illuminating patches of the deck, offers some fantastic shots. Our top tip? Go early in the morning. The water is usually calmest then, and you might have the entire wreck to yourselves, a proper historical dive. It’s a site that really makes you feel connected to the sea's history.