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IntermediateBoat entry

El Rey

California, United States
AOW suggested18–26 m (59–85 ft) depthBoat entry3mm wetsuit typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

El Rey at a glance

El Rey is an intermediate boat dive site in California, United States with depths of 18–26 m (59–85 ft). Typically most favorable Jun–Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see California spiny lobster, Barred sand bass, and Sea star. Recent reports put the water around 25°C (77°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:03

Forecast for this hour · 12:00 · run 1 h ago
0.8 m (2.7 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about three feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 25°C · seasonal avg 20°C ( · Forecast 77°F · seasonal avg 68°F)

Site hazards: Depth near recreational limits of nitrox-friendly range, occasional currents, monofilament fishing line, low visibility during plankton blooms, cold water

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Smallest waves: Mon
Mon11:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 8 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 8 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 5 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 6 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 7 kn wind (3.2 ft waves · 7 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 4 kn wind (3.4 ft waves · 4 kn wind)

Sun8:00–17:00 favorable, 17:00–18:00 moderate

1.1 m waves · 3 kn wind (3.5 ft waves · 3 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:36 · Sunrise 7:02 · Sunset 18:03 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 3.4 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 10:24 GMT-7

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near El Rey

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: California spiny lobster, Barred sand bass, Sea star
Best time: Fall and winter for best visibility; diveable year-round conditions permitting

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 70% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.3 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  2. February, 66% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  3. March, 62% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 15°C (59°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  4. April, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 16°C (60°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.9 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  5. May, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (3.8 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  6. June, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (67°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 21°C (70°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.4 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots
  9. September, 99% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 22°C (72°F), waves have typically been 1.0 m (3.3 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  10. October, 92% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 20°C (68°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  11. November, 91% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 18°C (64°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.5 ft), wind has typically been 11 knots
  12. December, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 17°C (63°F), waves have typically been 1.1 m (3.6 ft), wind has typically been 10 knots

June and July have typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

  • Rochinia tanneri recorded here Aug (1 record)

    most recent 2015

Newest record here: 2015. Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

The El Rey is a 100-foot, 133-ton kelp-harvesting vessel that cut kelp for Kelco for 41 years before being scuttled by a Navy demolition team on April 2, 1987, becoming the first ship sunk in San Diego's Wreck Alley off Mission Beach. She sits in roughly 75-85 feet of water and is densely overgrown with red gorgonians and strawberry anemones. A compact, easily navigated wreck often paired with the Ruby E or Yukon on two-tank charters.

boatreefwreck

Depth near recreational limits of nitrox-friendly range, occasional currents, monofilament fishing line, low visibility during plankton blooms, cold water

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