Key West Morning 2-Tank Vandenberg Wreck SCUBA Dive
Overview
Try one of the top Key West dive trips – A morning 2-tank wreck dive on the 525-foot USNS Vandenberg, a WWII-era troop transport & missile-tracking ship.
Highlights
- Dive from the M/V Phoenix 46′ custom-configured Newton Dive Boat
- Work with an experienced on-board dive support team and professional dive guides
- Make two descents to 100' max depth on the 525-foot Hoyt S. Vandenberg
- Bring an Advanced Certification card and dive computer to explore the wreck independently
- Enjoy clean restrooms, two freshwater showers & ample gear storage
Description
Start the day with an unforgettable Key West scuba diving adventure – Morning wreck diving on the 525-foot USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg.
The Vandenberg is a WWII Squier-class troop transport ship built in 1943 by the Kaiser Company at the Richmond, CA shipyards. Originally named the General Harry Taylor, the ship was ferried north for completion and fitting as a transport at the Kaiser Company’s Vancouver, WA shipyards. She was commissioned in May of 1944 at Portland, OR and after shake-down work off San Diego sailed out of San Francisco in June of 1944 bound for Milne Bay, New Guinea and the Pacific Theater.
After finishing the war ferrying troops and supplies in the Atlantic and then seeing post-war service throughout the 1950s as a refugee evacuation and transport vessel, the Taylor was retired in 1958 and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. In July, 1961 she was transferred to the U.S. Air Force. Renamed the USAFS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg in 1963, she was converted to a missile-tracking ship and went on to successfully carry out missile and spacecraft tracking duties in both Atlantic and Pacific waters through the Cold War years until her retirement in 1983.
After a successful campaign by Key West scuba diving enthusiasts and local dive captains, the Vandenberg was acquired for use as an artificial reef and dive site, prepared for sinking, and towed to Key West. She was sunk on May 27, 2009 and now sits upright on a 140-foot-deep sand bottom 6 miles SSE of Key West. The massive size of the Vandenberg puts her main deck at 100 feet of depth while the upper decks and super structure rise to within 47 feet of the surface.
The Vandenberg is the second largest artificial reef in the world and is now home to hundreds of species of fish, coral, and other marine life forms. Signature features of interest include her giant missile-tracking radar dishes, bridge, com-rooms, and crown nest with many mounted antennae. Advanced divers can descend to the main deck and access the bridge compartments for some classic wreck diving and encounters with a variety of marine life.
The Vandenberg is rated as an advanced dive because of the depths of the main deck and hull, but the shallower superstructure elements are fine for Open Water-level divers. It’s a good wreck dive for mixed ability groups, and any diver who is at least 15 years old and has been diving in the past year may join a Vandenberg wreck diving trip.
Rated as the number 1 wreck dive in the world by a Scuba Diving Magazine reader poll, the Vandenberg represents a rich repository of American and U.S. Naval History and is a must-see for wreck diving buffs. Among the many wrecks scattered along the Florida Keys, she is the star – A perfect adventure dive for beginning and advanced divers alike.
Come aboard our Key West Scuba Diving Morning 2-Tank SCUBA Dive trip and run out to the General Vandenberg for two amazing dives on one of the world’s biggest divable shipwrecks.
What's Included
- Full equipment package includes tanks, weights, weight belt, BCD, regulator, fins and mask
- Tanks and weights package includes tanks, weights and weight belt
- First tank at the Vandenberg, second tank is captains choice: Vandenberg, Cayman Salvage Master, Joe's Tug or a reef spot
- Fresh water showers
- A dive guide is required for Open Water Divers (Advanced Divers with computers are not required to have a guide)
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
What To Expect
Our morning excursion brings you to the Vandenberg, the world’s second-largest artificial reef. Though classified as an advanced dive, it is accessible to Open Water Certified divers aged 15 and older who have been actively diving within the past year, regardless of their experience level.
Morning Double-Wreck Dives
Our crew offers a line descent system with a traverse line connecting to the main mooring line that leads directly to the wreck. Guides are highly recommended for all divers and mandatory for those without an Advanced Open Water Certification or higher.
Two Wreck Dives Included • Gear & Guide Available
USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg
Sunk in 2009, this impressive 520-foot-long, 100-foot-tall shipwreck rests on a sandy seabed at a depth of 140 feet, with its deck approximately 100 feet below the surface. Exploring this wreck offers a truly unique scuba diving experience.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Vessel has a toilet
- Near public transportation
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- The minimum age for this dive is 15 (must be accompanied by an adult)
- This dive will have a maximum of 20 divers
Frequently Asked Questions
(18)Q: If I come by myself how can I find a buddy? Because I can't dive alone of course.
A: It is optional to book a dive guide for Advanced divers. We do a buddy-up system if you prefer to dive without a guide. Divers without a guide can go together. Read more May 2021
Reviews
Average 4.86 out of 5 stars based on 85 diver reviews collected by Key West Scuba Diving and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (18)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Key West Scuba Diving customers.
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It is optional to book a dive guide for Advanced divers. We do a buddy-up system if you prefer to dive without a guide. Divers without a guide can go together.
May 2021Our boats are licensed for 25 but typically accommodate a maximum of 14 divers per trip, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience.
Oct 2021There are no lockers at the shop. However, there is a section on the boat that won’t get wet where you can leave your belongings, or you can ask the staff at check-in to keep them for you while you dive.
Dec 2021Yes, you have to be a certified diver to go on diving. What level is your certification and when was the last time you have dived?
Mar 2024For non-certified, we can only do the Key West Dive in a Day PADI® Discover Scuba Resort course, which is the best way for you to experience scuba diving without certification. You have to know basic swimming skills and the ability to float without the help of any floatation device. Pool training is in the morning, and reef diving is in the afternoon. Here’s our available schedule: https://www.keywestscubadiving.com/packages/key-west-dive-in-a-day-scuba-resort-course/
May 2021While we don’t offer double tank decompression dives to the Vandenberg, you can enhance your dive experience by opting for a nitrox upgrade for the tanks, provided you are nitrox certified. Nitrox allows for extended bottom time and shorter surface intervals, which can be particularly beneficial when exploring the Vandenberg.
Dec 2022Yes, this is a fully guided dive. A dive master will be with you throughout the tour. The ratio is one divemaster to 4 divers.
Feb 2022We don’t offer a photo/video package, but no worries! Our guides will be happy to take photos and videos of you during the dive. Just let them know, and they’ll capture some great memories for you.
Jan 2022Both PADI and DAN recommend a minimum preflight surface interval of at least 12 hours for single dives and 18 hours for repetitive dives or multiple days of diving.
Jun 2021You may bring your own cylinders; however, we do not permit decompression diving tanks and do not recommend the use of helium, as the Vanderberg is too shallow for that type of dive.
Sep 2021Participants in the Key West Morning 2-Tank Scuba Dive cannot fly in an airplane within 24 hours of their dive.
The main concern with scuba diving and flying is decompression sickness (DCS). Your body needs adequate time during an ascent to off-gas excess nitrogen, or you can form bubbles in your bloodstream, possibly leading to DCS.
Jun 2024- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the dive start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the dive start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the dive start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the dive local time (EDT).
- Full equipment package includes tanks, weights, weight belt, BCD, regulator, fins and mask.
- Tanks and weights package includes tanks, weights and weight belt.
- First tank at the Vandenberg, second tank is captains choice: Vandenberg, Cayman Salvage Master, Joe's Tug or a reef spot.
- Fresh water showers.
- A dive guide is required for Open Water Divers (Advanced Divers with computers are not required to have a guide).
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own).
- Gratuities.
This dive requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age for this dive is 15 (must be accompanied by an adult).
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Key West Morning 2-Tank Vandenberg Wreck SCUBA Dive is as follows:
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Key West Morning 2-Tank Scuba Dive will be included in your confirmation email from Key West Scuba Diving. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Full equipment package includes tanks, weights, weight belt, BCD, regulator, fins and mask
- Tanks and weights package includes tanks, weights and weight belt
- First tank at the Vandenberg, second tank is captains choice: Vandenberg, Cayman Salvage Master, Joe's Tug or a reef spot
- Fresh water showers
- A dive guide is required for Open Water Divers (Advanced Divers with computers are not required to have a guide)
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Vessel has a toilet
- Near public transportation
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- The minimum age for this dive is 15 (must be accompanied by an adult)
- This dive will have a maximum of 20 divers
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