VIRGEN DE LA LUZ

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 - VIRGEN DE LA LUZ 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 1m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Virgen de la Luz, a sternwheeler that met its end close to the shore, is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. We love how accessible it is, sitting in barely a metre of water. You're snorkelling, really, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's not a proper wreck. The bow section is particularly intact; you can make out the anchor chains, the capstan, and even some of the deck fittings. It’s an incredible spot for photographers, especially with a wide-angle lens. The way the light plays through the shallow water, illuminating the barnacle-encrusted hull, is really something. We’ve spent hours just drifting over it, watching schools of juvenile barracuda dart through the ribs of the hull. Look closely and you’ll find moray eels tucked into crevices and octopus camouflaged against the rust. Our favourite time to visit is early morning, before the surface chop picks up, when the visibility is at its best and the colours are most vivid. It's a perfect spot for anyone wanting to get up close with a piece of history without needing a tank.