Vandenberg Wreck

The basics

This is among the most popular dive sites in Key West. While some operators allow divers with open-water certification to join dive trips, they can only view the ship from above. Get the full experience with an advanced open-water certification—you might have the chance to try swim-throughs in the ship’s semi-enclosed spaces. Many two-tank dive outings concentrate on the Vandenberg only, but some operators add a trip to the Cayman Salvage Master, another local wreck.

Things to know before you go

• Bring plenty of reef-safe sunscreen on the boat. Varieties free of ingredients including oxybenzone and octinoxate won’t harm the coral.
• Keep in mind that currents can be strong and swift here.
• Divers hoping to get certified for advanced open-water can sign up for classes in Key West.

How to get there

The Vandenberg Wreck is located roughly 7 miles (11 kilometers) south of Key West, in 140 feet (43 meters) of water. Diving trips to the Vandenberg include round-trip boat transport from Key West; if you’re doing a two-tank dive, there will be a mandatory surface interval on the boat between the two dives.

When to get there

Summer brings hot, calm weather and great water clarity to the Florida Keys. The hurricane-prone months of September and October can send high volumes of rain into the water, causing clarity to drop. The winter months are warm and sunny, and while plenty of divers head out this time of year, increased wind means lower visibility in the ocean.

Popular Dive Sites in the Florida Keys

The Vandenberg is a bucket-list dive for local divers, but that’s just the beginning of diving in the Florida Keys. Off Key Largo, Molasses Reef has dozens of dive sites home to sea turtles, eagle rays, and other sea life. Another favorite is Christ of the Abyss, a sunken bronze statue surrounded by coral in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.