wreck

Log This Dive

USS Vandenburg

The Vandenberg, a former missile tracking ship, sits upright in about 45 metres of water off Key West, and it’s a properly impressive wreck dive. We love the sheer scale of the thing. You descend onto this enormous structure, all 159 metres of her, and immediately you’re struck by how quickly marine life has taken hold. Schools of baitfish shimmer around the radar dishes, and we’ve seen some hefty Goliath groupers lurking in the shadows of the deeper decks. Our favourite part has to be exploring the open cargo holds and the satellite dishes, now encrusted with sponges and corals. It feels like diving through a submerged city. The sheer volume of structure means you can spend multiple dives here and still find new nooks. Just be mindful of the currents, they can pick up, especially on the surface. We’d suggest diving this one on a slack tide for the best experience, giving you more time to explore the bridge or the various companionways. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the majesty of a large wreck and the surprising resilience of the reef.