HMS Britannia - Al Hoceima

Dropping onto the HMS Britannia, you’re not just diving a wreck, you’re touching a piece of history. This King Edward VII-class pre-dreadnought battleship, sunk in 1904, lies remarkably intact, offering an incredible sense of scale. We love tracing the deck, imagining what life was like on board, the sheer size of her guns still evident even after all these years. The Britannia is a playground for wreck enthusiasts. You can penetrate some of the larger compartments, the light shafts from the surface creating an eerie, almost cathedral-like atmosphere inside. Look out for the massive propeller, often shrouded by schools of juvenile barracuda. While the corals aren't as colourful as some tropical sites, the Mediterranean nudibranchs and octopuses have made the metal their home. We often find ourselves circling the bridge, picking out details that hint at her former glory. This site is fantastic for advanced divers who appreciate both history and the raw beauty of a large, well-preserved wreck. Visibility can be excellent here, sometimes pushing 25 meters, especially in late summer. It’s an early morning dive for us, before any potential surface chop picks up.

Location
Al Hoceima, Morocco, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
35.883335, -5.883333
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Complexe du Bas Tahaddart

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

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS Britannia

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

Recommended Packing List for HMS Britannia

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