GENERAL VALDES

Best months: Aug

Why dive here

With 140+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola), octopuses, sea turtles and sperm whales - GENERAL VALDES offers some of Al Hoceima's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 16-23°C, warmest July, August, September.

Best timeAug

WetsuitA 3mm full wetsuit

Marine lifeDolphins, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola), Octopuses, Sea Turtles and Sperm Whales · 140+ species recorded

Water16-23°C · warmest July, August, September

CharacterWreck dive

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

We love the General Valdes for its sheer presence, a genuine piece of history just off Al Hoceima. It’s a patrol boat, sunk deliberately in 1968, and she sits upright, intact, in surprisingly shallow water. You can practically reach out and touch her from the surface, which is fantastic for divers of all levels, even snorkelers on a calm day. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is how the Mediterranean light filters through the superstructure, painting shifting patterns across the deck. Barracuda often hang out in the bow, shimmering like silver ghosts, and the stern is usually bustling with damselfish darting amongst the twisted metal. We always find moray eels peeking from the nooks and crannies, their dark eyes following you. It’s an easy exploration; you can fin around the entire vessel, peer into the engine room, and even swim through sections of the bridge if you're comfortable. The visibility here can be incredible, sometimes 20 meters plus, making it a joy to just drift and take it all in. Our favourite time to dive it is mid-morning, just after the sun has climbed high enough to really illuminate the deck.