HMS Escort - Al Hoceima

Diving the SMS Pommern isn't a stroll in a tropical aquarium. This is serious wreck diving, a proper North Sea adventure, and we love it for that honesty. What's left of the Pommern, a huge Deutschland-class battleship sunk at Jutland, lies broken up but still very much a battleship. You’re not getting the full hull of the Thistlegorm here, but the sheer scale of the scattered remains is impressive. Think massive chunks of armour plating, twisted girders, and the ghosts of its imposing gun turrets. The Pommern attracts a surprising amount of life. We’ve seen good numbers of Atlantic cod nosing around the debris, and those Masked crabs are always a fun spot, scuttling amongst the metal. Visibility can be a bit of a lottery, ranging from a murky green to a respectable 10 metres on a good day, but that’s part of the challenge and reward. When it clears up, the light filtering through the North Sea water onto those vast, encrusted steel plates is genuinely atmospheric. This site is for experienced wreck divers who appreciate history and don't mind a bit of a rugged dive. Go in summer for the best chance of decent conditions, and be prepared for currents.

Location: Al Hoceima, Morocco, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 36.109722, -3.370000
Type: wreck

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS Escort

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 HMS Escort

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