MARI MONCHO

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 - MARI MONCHO 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 · max 5m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Mari Moncho is an absolute standout for us in Al Hoceima, mostly because it's just so accessible and full of character. This old fishing trawler, sunk deliberately, sits upright at just 5 metres, making it perfect for newer divers or anyone looking for a relaxed, long bottom time. We love drifting over the deck, spotting schools of glinting silversides darting in and out of the wheelhouse, which is still remarkably intact. The real joy here is how the wreck has transformed into an artificial reef. Look closely and you'll see a surprisingly dense covering of sponges and small anemones, particularly around the railings and mast. We often find juvenile groupers tucked into crevices, and colourful nudibranchs grazing on the hull. It’s an easy dive, maybe a bit silty sometimes if there's been recent surge, but usually visibility is good enough to appreciate the entire wreck from above. Our favourite approach is to drop in, circle the bow, and then slowly explore the stern, making sure to peer into the open hold for any lurking surprises. It’s a gentle introduction to wreck diving, but it’s far from boring.