wreck

Log This Dive

USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

Dropping onto the USS Vandenberg is always a rush. It’s a huge ship, purposefully sunk to 33 meters, so you really feel the scale of it as you descend. We love exploring the bridge area, where the navigation equipment is still somewhat intact – you can almost picture the crew at their stations. Look for the massive radar dishes, now completely encrusted with corals and sponges, hosting schools of grunt and snapper that swirl around you. Our favourite part is often the deeper stern section, especially if you can duck into some of the larger open cargo holds. The light shafts are incredible down there, catching the dust of the reef and illuminating barracuda lurking in the shadows. Currents can be a factor here, so it’s best for intermediate divers who are comfortable with drift and depth. We always recommend getting an early start; fewer boats mean you might have this magnificent artificial reef almost to yourselves.