Key West Morning 2-Tank Wreck SCUBA Dive
Overview
The morning two tank Key West Dive Trips are great because this includes a double dive in a Vandenberg wreck dive.
Highlights
- Dive the wreck twice on the same trip
- Log dive depths from 75 to 90 feet
- Work with an experienced on-board dive team
- Cruise on the 50' Phoenix high-speed custom dive boat
- Enjoy clean restrooms and fresh water showers
Description
The waters off Key West are a diver’s paradise. Scuba diving in Key West offers access to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, featuring the only living coral reef in the Continental US. The reef stretches for miles, most of it is healthy and teeming with diverse and abundant marine life, and much of the diving is shallow and easy – perfect for new divers, family groups, or dive training sessions. Many days of great visibility and hundreds of colorful and unique fish and coral species earn the reef dives off the Keys a place on every diver’s bucket list.
The morning two-tank Key West dive trips are great because when conditions permit they include a reef dive and a wreck dive rolled into one trip. The 500-foot long USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg served as a troop transport and missile-tracking vessel. When the ship was decommissioned, Joe Weatherby, one of the Key West dive captains, led a successful campaign to have the Vandenberg stripped and sunk as an artificial reef and dive site. In place since May 27, 2009, the Vandenberg is the largest wreck in the Keys, and has already become home to hundreds of species of fish, corals, and other marine life forms.
The Vandenberg lies at a depth of 140 feet, approximately 6 miles SSE of Key West in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and is easily accessible to divers of all skill levels. The lower sections of the wreck allow for deep dives, while the upper decks and super structure of the ship rise to within 47 feet of the surface, making for comfortable beginner and intermediate diving. Professional dive guides work with all Open Water divers, but qualified Advanced Open Water Divers who have their own dive computers may explore the Vandenberg independently if they wish.
Come on board with us and experience two of the best dives in US waters: reef diving in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and wreck diving on the USNS Vandenberg. A Cool Key West two-tank dive trip will let you log an unforgettable day of undersea fun and excitement.
*Please click the Details tab for technical information about diving on the USNS Vandenberg.
What's Included
- Full equipment package includes tanks, weights, weight belt, BCD, regulator, fins and mask
- Tanks and weights package includes tanks, weights and weight belt
- First tank at the Vandenberg, second tank is captains choice: Vandenberg, Cayman Salvage Master, Joe's Tug or a reef spot
- Fresh water showers
- A dive guide is required for Open Water Divers (Advanced Divers with computers are not required to have a guide)
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
What To Expect
Our morning excursion brings you to the Vandenberg, the world’s second-largest artificial reef. Though classified as an advanced dive, it is accessible to Open Water Certified divers aged 15 and older who have been actively diving within the past year, regardless of their experience level.
Morning Double-Wreck Dives
Our crew offers a line descent system with a traverse line connecting to the main mooring line that leads directly to the wreck. Guides are highly recommended for all divers and mandatory for those without an Advanced Open Water Certification or higher.
Two Wreck Dives Included • Gear & Guide Available
USNS General Hoyt S. Vandenberg
Sunk in 2009, this impressive 520-foot-long, 100-foot-tall shipwreck rests on a sandy seabed at a depth of 140 feet, with its deck approximately 100 feet below the surface. Exploring this wreck offers a truly unique scuba diving experience.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Vessel has a toilet
- Near public transportation
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- The minimum age for this dive is 15 (must be accompanied by an adult)
- This dive will have a maximum of 20 divers
Frequently Asked Questions
(18)Q: If I come by myself how can I find a buddy? Because I can't dive alone of course.
A: It is optional to book a dive guide for Advanced divers. We do a buddy-up system if you prefer to dive without a guide. Divers without a guide can go together. Read more May 2021
Reviews
Average 4.86 out of 5 stars based on 85 traveler reviews collected by Cool Key West and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (18)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Key West customers.
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It is optional to book a dive guide for Advanced divers. We do a buddy-up system if you prefer to dive without a guide. Divers without a guide can go together.
May 2021Our boats are licensed for 25 but typically accommodate a maximum of 14 divers per trip, ensuring a comfortable and personalized experience.
Oct 2021There are no lockers at the shop. However, there is a section on the boat that won’t get wet where you can leave your belongings, or you can ask the staff at check-in to keep them for you while you dive.
Dec 2021Yes, you have to be a certified diver to go on diving. What level is your certification and when was the last time you have dived?
Mar 2024For non-certified, we can only do the Key West Dive in a Day PADI® Discover Scuba Resort course, which is the best way for you to experience scuba diving without certification. You have to know basic swimming skills and the ability to float without the help of any floatation device. Pool training is in the morning, and reef diving is in the afternoon. Here’s our available schedule: https://www.keywestscubadiving.com/packages/key-west-dive-in-a-day-scuba-resort-course/
May 2021While we don’t offer double tank decompression dives to the Vandenberg, you can enhance your dive experience by opting for a nitrox upgrade for the tanks, provided you are nitrox certified. Nitrox allows for extended bottom time and shorter surface intervals, which can be particularly beneficial when exploring the Vandenberg.
Dec 2022Yes, this is a fully guided dive. A dive master will be with you throughout the tour. The ratio is one divemaster to 4 divers.
Feb 2022We don’t offer a photo/video package, but no worries! Our guides will be happy to take photos and videos of you during the dive. Just let them know, and they’ll capture some great memories for you.
Jan 2022Both PADI and DAN recommend a minimum preflight surface interval of at least 12 hours for single dives and 18 hours for repetitive dives or multiple days of diving.
Jun 2021You may bring your own cylinders; however, we do not permit decompression diving tanks and do not recommend the use of helium, as the Vanderberg is too shallow for that type of dive.
Sep 2021Participants in the Key West Morning 2-Tank Wreck SCUBA Dive cannot fly in an airplane within 24 hours of their dive.
The main concern with scuba diving and flying is decompression sickness (DCS). Your body needs adequate time during an ascent to off-gas excess nitrogen, or you can form bubbles in your bloodstream, possibly leading to DCS.
Jun 2024- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the dive start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the dive start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the dive start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the dive local time (EDT).
- Full equipment package includes tanks, weights, weight belt, BCD, regulator, fins and mask.
- Tanks and weights package includes tanks, weights and weight belt.
- First tank at the Vandenberg, second tank is captains choice: Vandenberg, Cayman Salvage Master, Joe's Tug or a reef spot.
- Fresh water showers.
- A dive guide is required for Open Water Divers (Advanced Divers with computers are not required to have a guide).
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own).
- Gratuities.
This dive requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age for this dive is 15 (must be accompanied by an adult).
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Key West Morning 2-Tank Wreck SCUBA Dive is as follows:
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Key West Morning 2-Tank Wreck SCUBA Dive will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Key West. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024What's Included
- Full equipment package includes tanks, weights, weight belt, BCD, regulator, fins and mask
- Tanks and weights package includes tanks, weights and weight belt
- First tank at the Vandenberg, second tank is captains choice: Vandenberg, Cayman Salvage Master, Joe's Tug or a reef spot
- Fresh water showers
- A dive guide is required for Open Water Divers (Advanced Divers with computers are not required to have a guide)
- Food and drinks (feel free to bring your own)
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Vessel has a toilet
- Near public transportation
- Paid parking nearby
- Travelers should have a moderate fitness level
- What to bringCamera, comfortable shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, food and drinks, and a smile!
- The minimum age for this dive is 15 (must be accompanied by an adult)
- This dive will have a maximum of 20 divers
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