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 Travel Marketing 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.
Likely To Sell Out
Spaces are extremely limited this time of year so book early to ensure the date you want.
Voucher Confirmation Info
This tour accepts both printed and electronic vouchers (e-vouchers). You can either print the voucher and present a paper copy on the day of travel. Or, if you travel with a mobile device, simply show your Photo ID and present your voucher on your Smartphone or tablet on the day of travel.
Local Operator Information
Complete operator information, including local telephone number, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.
Where is the meeting point for this activity?
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 final 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 it way to you!
What is the weather cancellation policy?
If the Key West Morning 2-Tank SCUBA Dive must be canceled due to bad weather, and you cannot go on another day, you will be issued a full refund by Key West Scuba Diving.
Where can I park my car?
Detailed parking instructions for Key West Morning 2-Tank SCUBA Dive will be included in your confirmation email.
Do you provide a shuttle to the Key West Morning 2-Tank SCUBA Dive?
Currently, Key West Scuba Diving does not provide transportation to the Key West Morning 2-Tank SCUBA Dive.
What do I need to show at check-in?
Key West Scuba Diving activities accept both printed and electronic vouchers (e-vouchers). You can either print the voucher and present a paper copy on the day of travel. Or, if you travel with a mobile device, simply show your Photo ID and present your voucher on your Smartphone or tablet on the day of travel.
I am unable to locate the check-in. What should I do?
If you arrive for your activity start point and you are unable to locate the check-in location, we first recommend calling the local contact phone number found on your confirmation email. If you are unable to reach the local contact, we will be more than happy to help you out.
Can I book this activity when I get there?
Key West Scuba Diving activities can only be booked online. It is recommended you pre-book your travel service to avoid disappointment as many of our tours and products are popular and can be sold out early. Therefore, visitors are encouraged to pre-book to ensure a satisfying, worry-free vacation.
Are my credit card details safe?
Your information is safe with Key West Scuba Diving. We take data protection very seriously and have a 100% secure checkout for all transactions.
1) We use SSL to encrypt all data on the website and use a tokenized processing system from Stripe.
2) Stripe has been audited by a PCI-certified auditor and is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1.
3) Our servers are monitored 24/7 for malicious activity and unauthorized access attempts.
Are gratuities (tip) included in the price?
No. On most Key West Scuba Diving tours and activities with guides, mates, captains, and assistance, tips are not included. Our general recommendation is 18-20% when you enjoy a quality service experience.
Can I book an activity and leave it open dated?
The majority of travel services provided by Key West Scuba Diving must have a pre-booked date designated in order for the activity to cater for passengers. Exceptions to this are attraction passes, hop on/hop off buses and trolley tours.
Will I get seasick on Key West Morning 2-Tank SCUBA Dive?
If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Do I need to have previous Scuba experience?
Yes, you must be PADI certified and have been on at least one dive in the past year. if you do not have Scuba certification, please look at our resort courses which offer a nice introduction to Scuba diving.
How soon can I fly in an airplane after Scuba diving?
Guests participating in Scuba diving cannot fly in an airplane within 24 hours of their dive.
When do I need to arrive for check-in?
Unless otherwise noted, please arrive for check-in 30 minutes before your Key West Morning 2-Tank SCUBA Dive begins. The exact start time may be based on your chosen options and will be noted on the confirmation you receive after booking.
