Galveston, Texas
June 2014
Offshore rigs are quite frankly ugly but underwater they are amazing artificial reefs. Decommissioned oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico make for great dive sites!
Dive Site
Oil Rid GA393B
Diving Conditions:
GPS: 28°36'46"N 95°09'59"W
Location: about 17 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico
Depth: 30m
Currents: Tide dependent
Type of bottom: Sand
Interests: Oil rig artificial reef
Water Temperature: 30°C all year round
Visibility: up to 20m
Description: Decommissioned oil rig which attracts a lot of wildlife especially batfish. There is a large broken tubular shaft close to the bottom that moves with the water, which you can hear thumping on the rig once you get close.
Logistics
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Dive Boat:
I went with Capt. Al from Ultra Dive Texas (tel. +1 281-469-2846; email: ultragrp@sbcglobal.net). Rather expensive, it was $200 for two dives (plus tips).
The diving itself was very good, however the service on the boat could be better. There were some people renting BCDs and were given a horsecollar BCD! Also, we were dropped off downstream of strong currents so had to swim against it to get to the rig.
Siggi V
