Oil Rigs Elly-Ellen - California

Diving the Elly and Ellen oil rigs off Huntington Beach is an exercise in perspective. Forget your typical colourful reef; this is an artificial world, industrial and immense, yet somehow beautiful. We’re talking about massive steel structures, legs disappearing into the gloom, completely encrusted with invertebrate life. Think clouds of market squid hovering between the beams, thick schools of senorita fish, and the occasional giant sea bass cruising through the girders. The sheer scale is what gets you. Dropping down, you feel small, insignificant, surrounded by these colossal steel pillars. It’s cold, dark, and often has a bit of a current, so come prepared with proper thermal protection and good buoyancy control. We always aim for a slack tide window; it makes navigating the structure a whole lot more enjoyable. Our favourite thing to do is just pick a leg and follow it down, watching the purple hydrocoral and anemones give way to deeper-dwelling critters. It’s a challenging dive, certainly not for beginners, but for experienced divers looking for something truly unique, it’s a phenomenal experience. There’s a stark, almost haunting beauty to it.

Location
California, United States, North America
Coordinates
33.583534, -118.129420
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge

Best Time to Dive in California

The warmest water temperatures in California occur in August, averaging 20.6°C (up to 24.0°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 14.0°C.

The calmest sea conditions are typically in July with average wave heights of 0.60m.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 14.4°C (air: 14.0°C)
  • February: 14.0°C (air: 13.8°C)
  • March: 14.2°C (air: 13.3°C)
  • April: 14.9°C (air: 14.3°C)
  • May: 16.6°C (air: 15.4°C)
  • June: 18.9°C (air: 17.4°C)
  • July: 20.4°C (air: 18.9°C)
  • August: 20.6°C (air: 19.6°C)
  • September: 20.4°C (air: 19.7°C)
  • October: 18.8°C (air: 18.4°C)
  • November: 16.3°C (air: 16.0°C)
  • December: 15.6°C (air: 14.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in California

Nearest Dive Centres to Oil Rigs Elly-Ellen

Marine Life in California

Home to 10 recorded species including 8 reef fish, 1 other, 1 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Oil Rigs Elly-Ellen

Based on average water temperature of 17.1°C.

  • Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°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