Boat Trip and Snorkelling in Al Hoceima National Park

Boat trips and snorkelling from the harbour of Al Hoceima, on Morocco's Mediterranean Rif coast, give access to the rocky shoreline, small coves and clear water of Al Hoceima National Park. Trips are short coastal hops of roughly 5-15 km, lasting one to four hours, aboard small fishing boats hired from independent boatmen at the Port d'Al Hoceima on Boulevard Mohammed VI. There is no central booking office: visitors negotiate directly at the quayside, and a short trip typically costs about 300-600 MAD per boat, so the price, duration and drop-off points should be agreed before boarding. The activity is easy. No special fitness or experience is needed beyond being comfortable in open water, and there is no formal age limit, although children should wear life jackets and be supervised at all times. Equipment is limited: visitors should bring their own mask and snorkel, swimwear, sun hat, sunscreen, water and a waterproof bag, and should ask the boatman whether life jackets are on board. Because the boats are informal fishing craft, there are no certifications or standard safety briefings to rely on. Visitors should check the boat's condition, confirm that lifejackets are available, look at the sea state and the forecast, and keep the boatman's contact number. Rescue depends on the boatman, nearby fishing vessels and the harbour authorities, so swimming should stay close to the boat. The best window is June to September, when the sea is calm and warm enough for snorkelling. Winter and early spring bring rough seas that can cancel trips altogether, and strong winds can stir up the water and reduce visibility even in summer. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons. Trips can be combined with a swim stop at a sheltered beach inside the park coast, and Al Hoceima's town beaches are within easy reach of the harbour for visitors who prefer to stay ashore.