About Who's Been Here Photos Dive Log Revisions USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg 6 miles west of, Key West, FL 33040 More Info Max Depth: 131-140ft/40-43m Average Viz: 26-30ft/8-9m Entry Type: Boat Bottom Composition: Sand Aquatic Life: Plenty To See Rating: 4.20 by 66 divers Spring: 71-75°F/22-24°C Summer: 76-80°F/24-27°C Fall: 76-80°F/24-27°C Winter: 66-70°F/19-21°C View All 66 Members View All 10 Photos DBTyler 3/16/2019 dr_steveo: Avg Viz: 31-35ft/9-11m. Water Temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C. 12/19/2017 peddles67: Avg Viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water Temp: Over 85°F/29°C. 8/04/2016 stewco422: Avg Viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. Water Temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C. 6/15/2016 DiverfromBaskingRidge: Avg Viz: 61-70ft/19-21m. Water Temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C. 4/15/2015 DiverfromBaskingRidge: Avg Viz: 61-70ft/19-21m. Water Temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C. 4/14/2015 Pookie: Avg Viz: 61-70ft/19-21m. Water Temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C. 7/03/2014 WILLO: Avg Viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. Water Temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C. 10/31/2013 sabre7: Avg Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. Water Temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C. 7/05/2012 sabre7: Avg Viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Water Temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C. 7/01/2012 jmbeachsurf: Avg Viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. Water Temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C. 12/18/2011 12/05/2016 9:00 AM LatitudeAdjustment 7/19/2010 8:48 AM

USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg is a boat accessible salt water dive site, located at 6 miles west of, Key West, FL 33040. This dive site has an average rating of 4.20 out of 5 from 66 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 131-140ft/40-43m. The average visibility is 26-30ft/8-9m.

The Ship that now carries the name, Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, has a long and unique history spanning two generations in service to her country.
The ex-USAFS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg was first commissioned as the troop transport USNS Gen. Harry Taylor. The ship saw service in WWII, post-war immigration, the Hungarian Revolution, and the Cold War. After decommissioning, it even starred in a popular motion picture. As an artificial reef, the ship will not only be a recreational resource for divers and fishermen, but will serve as an underwater classroom for the Florida Keys Community College, and be a platform for ground-breaking research in reef monitoring as mandated by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan.
The ship’s distinguished history will continue in its final disposition as a recreational, educational and scientific resource.

"Ocean Maps Florida" app in the iTunes and Google Play stores has a virtual dive of the Vandenburg so you can explore it before you get wet. App is free but maps are not.

Comments

dr_steveo - 12/24/2017 12:55 AM I went scuba diving here on 12/19/2017. Average viz: 31-35ft/9-11m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.

Rmarsh5658 - 7/17/2017 8:45 PM Rating Added: 5 Great dive. Had been out of the water for awhile. Took a refresher course and now have the bug against.

peddles67 - 8/07/2016 12:06 AM I went scuba diving here on 8/4/2016. Average viz: 41-50ft/12-15m. Water temp: Over 85°F/29°C.

JonnieU - 6/30/2016 4:34 PM Rating Added: 3 Good dive site. Visibility was low due to recent weather. It was still a pleasure.

stewco422 - 6/15/2016 10:19 PM I went scuba diving here on 6/15/2016. Average viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C. Decent vis, about 20-30’ Warm water, 75 @ 95’ Dove with Southpoint Divers. Nice outfit

JMH115 - 2/14/2016 1:54 PM I went scuba diving here on 12/12/2015. Average viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.

JMH115 - 2/14/2016 1:52 PM I went scuba diving here on 12/12/2015. Average viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Water temp: 71-75°F/22-24°C.

mikhailm - 12/16/2015 5:51 AM Rating Added: 4 Very nice ship wreck. Pretty big one. Was able to go inside above part of the ship and go around the top part

stymiestg - 6/14/2015 3:15 PM I went scuba diving here on 3/7/2015. Average viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.

FragO - 5/22/2015 9:45 AM Rating Added: 4 Mild to Strong cross current in October but great swim-throughs for learning wreck diving, with a certifies instructor of course. Decent variety of marine life and 16-20ft visibility. Afterwards swing by the Hogfish and finish the day off with a Vandenburger, the biggest burger in the Keys! WILLO - 6/09/2015 10:57 PM I’m not much for Wreck diving. Just have a look at a wreck once in a while. Tec-Diving is for the youth.

WILLO - 10/23/2014 2:52 PM I went scuba diving here on 10/31/2013. Average viz: 26-30ft/8-9m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C. Dive 1107, The Skipper buddies me with Phillip from Sweden. This is Phillips first dive in the United States of America, he will remember this dive the remainder of his life. Sea conditions over the Vandenberg are as follows; a bit snotty, wind waves 3’-6’, current at 3.5 Knots, with a noticeable wind. All on board are briefed on the site as what it will take to reach the Vandenberg, first of all we have to use the mooring line under the boat, perform hand over hand into the current, use the mid-ship mooring to the deck. This is the only way to dive, survive, and enjoy this wreck dive. This is my first dive experience in strong current using mooring lines. We make it to the deck at 95 feet on the Starboard-side at the Radar Tower. We swim through the ship only to fine the Portside with very strong currents. Swimming back through the passage way to the starting point we with begin out ascent, our 5 minute safety stop is a thing to remember the current is very strong. Once back on board Phillip tells me he is staying on board. He is SEASICK in the worst way. This is the first diver I’ve seen that is actually GREEN. Dive 1108, The Cayman Salvager, Zack from Southpoint Divers is the leader. We head down the mooring line to the deck a 55 feet at the Bow. The ship was sent to the bottom as a Navy Target in the 1040’s. I spend my time with the leader and his students. I do drop over the hull on the Starboard-side to a depth of 92 feet for a minute or two. This is a better dive than the Vandenberg only as conditions. divenow - 10/23/2014 3:57 PM We had 3 or 4 that didn’t make a second dive 12/23/13 current was very strong I swam my old ass off to reach the rail. FragO - 5/22/2015 9:53 AM Hey WILLO, we dove this the same day! Did you dive with Lost Reef Adventures? Hawkeye54 - 5/22/2015 10:32 AM I’ve been on this wreck when there’s been 100’+ visibility, and when it’s been 5’ visibility. Conditions really do vary so pay attention to the Gulf Stream to catch her on a great day! Current also varies from ripping to nonexistent.

Pookie - 9/28/2014 5:08 PM I went scuba diving here on 7/3/2014. Average viz: 61-70ft/19-21m. Water temp: 81-85°F/27-29°C.

tinahawkins - 9/07/2014 2:14 PM Rating Added: 5 Such a fun dive site! Lost Reef was an excellent operator, if you go on an afternoon dive, chances are it’ll be the only boat out there. Lots to do within comfortable recreational limits, plenty of swim throughs, stairwells, etc. fun marine life. Did four dives in two days. Viz was around 40 feet on day 1, closer to 20 on day 2. Still enough light and that the low viz was a minor issue. This was a better recreational dive than the Oriskany. Lots more ship to see above 130 feet, tons of ship at just 60 and 70 feet whereas the very top of the O’s conning tower is at 80 feet. Wear gloves and watch for fire coral! Water was so warm I just wore a bathing suit top and board shorts and got hit with fire coral on my left arm. Let the dive operator know how deep you want to go, they will custom mix your Nitrox!,

sabre7 - 8/02/2014 10:13 AM I went scuba diving here on 7/5/2012. Average viz: 21-25ft/6-8m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.

sabre7 - 8/02/2014 10:11 AM I went scuba diving here on 7/1/2012. Average viz: 36-40ft/11-12m. Water temp: 76-80°F/24-27°C.

CGR - 7/31/2014 6:06 PM Rating Added: 5 Current aside this was a GREAT dive. I would dive again...and again....and again....

shellback0 - 4/20/2014 4:23 PM Rating Added: 3 04/12/2014, the current was ripping and visibility was only 15 Ft. Only my dive buddy and I went down to the wreck, and it was a workout

ShawnK - 3/15/2014 7:52 PM Rating Added: 4 cool dive

divenow - 3/14/2014 5:23 PM Rating Added: 5 Great dive site had a blast!

dbthurber - 9/05/2013 3:30 AM Rating Added: 4 Went out with Lost Reef Adventures, one of the best crews! January 2013. Viz and temps were of the charts. Very nice wreck with many penetrations. I dropped down a whole to the bottom of the hule (145‘). Going again in October. It will take several more dives to see this entire ship.