wreck

Log This Dive

GNEISENAU

The Gneisenau, a German training corvette sunk by a storm in 1900, is a proper chunk of history resting at 21 metres in Al Hoceima. We love this wreck for its sheer size and the way it’s been swallowed by the Med. At 73 metres long, it's not one of those blink-and-you-miss-it sites. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the ancient rigging – or what’s left of it – giving the whole scene a ghostly, atmospheric feel. The stern is our favourite part; it’s largely intact and you can still make out the lines of the old decks. Big groupers lurk in the shadows, unbothered by divers, and we’ve often seen schools of barracuda circling the mast sections. It’s an easy dive, straightforward navigation, but still feels like a genuine exploration. Visibility can be excellent here, sometimes pushing 25 metres, especially later in the morning after any morning thermoclines have settled. We’d suggest focusing on the superstructure first, then working your way along the port side, where the growth is particularly lush. It’s a great wreck for photographers keen on capturing that classic historical feel, and for anyone who appreciates a wreck with a story.