SCUBA Diving the Southern California Oil Rigs

By December 20, 2018February 27th, 2020California, Underwater Photography

I’ve recently made a few more dives underneath the oil rigs (platforms) off Southern California. Platform Eureka stands alone in 700′ of water and is my favorite. The twins, Platforms Ellen and Elly, lie in 260′ of water. Depending on how recently the structure has been cleaned of invertebrate life, one platform or the other usually hosts more invertebrate life and color. The last few dives I made, it was platform Ellen and Elly that were the most photogenic. I was practicing with a circular fisheye lens so all of these new images have that distinctive circle shape. It’s a fun lens to use but it can be overdone and the style gets cliche quickly. Thanks for looking, and cheers!

Aerial panoramic photo of platforms Ellen (left) and Elly (right), in 260 feet of water off Long Beach, California

Aerial panoramic photo of platforms Ellen (left) and Elly (right), in 260 feet of water off Long Beach, California
Image ID: 34675
Location: Long Beach, California, USA

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly with invertebrate life growing on it and fish swimming around, Long Beach, California

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly with invertebrate life growing on it and fish swimming around
Image ID: 34654
Location: Long Beach, California, USA

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly, Underwater Structure, Long Beach, California

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly, Underwater Structure.
Image ID: 34655
Location: Long Beach, California, USA

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly with invertebrate life growing on it and fish swimming around, Long Beach, California

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly with invertebrate life growing on it and fish swimming around
Image ID: 34656
Location: Long Beach, California, USA

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly, Underwater Structure, Long Beach, California

Oil Rig Ellen and Elly, Underwater Structure.
Image ID: 34657
Location: Long Beach, California, USA

Oil Rig Eureka, Underwater Structure and invertebrate Life, Corynactis californica, Long Beach, California

Oil Rig Eureka, Underwater Structure and invertebrate Life
Image ID: 34660
Species: Strawberry anemone, Corynactis californica
Location: Long Beach, California, USA

Oil Rig Eureka, Underwater Structure, Long Beach, California

Oil Rig Eureka, Underwater Structure.
Image ID: 34661
Location: Long Beach, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!