ISLA DEL HIERRO - Al Hoceima

Isla del Hierro isn’t your typical Al Hoceima dive. We love this site for its clear sense of history, a real connection to the wreck’s former life as the *Duchess of Holland*, a roll-on roll-off ferry built in '73. She went down off Malaga in '92, and now sits in a modest 10 metres of water. It’s perfect for a long, relaxed dive, letting you really soak it all in. You can actually picture the cars driving onto her decks, now long gone, replaced by schools of damselfish that dart through the structure. Our favourite part is exploring the shallow, accessible holds. The sunlight filters down, illuminating clouds of juvenile barracuda that often hang lazily above the deeper sections of the deck. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light is best then, and the currents tend to be calmer. It’s a site that rewards a slow pace, letting you appreciate the contrast between its industrial past and its current role as a thriving artificial reef. If you’re into wreck diving without the depth, this one’s a treat.

Location
Al Hoceima, Morocco, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.714500, -4.418833
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
10m

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 ISLA DEL HIERRO

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 ISLA DEL HIERRO

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