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USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

Located in the pristine waters of Key West, this renowned dive site is a must-visit for advanced and expert divers. The Ex-Military Missile Tracking Ship, which was sunk over a decade ago, boasts varying depths from 70 feet to over 100 feet, offering an exhilarating underwater experience.

The sunken ship has become an artificial reef, attracting an abundance of marine life. Vibrant corals have taken hold on the structure, providing a stunning backdrop for divers. As you explore the depths, you'll encounter a diverse array of fish species, including grunts, snapper, barracuda, angelfish, and even occasional reef sharks. The Vandenberg is fast emerging as a thriving ecosystem, captivating divers with its teeming marine biodiversity.

With a maximum depth of 32 meters and visibility up to 15 meters, this dive site offers optimal conditions for underwater exploration. It is important to note that due to its challenging nature, this dive is suitable only for those with advanced and expert-level diving skills.

Situated in Monroe County, Florida, United States, this dive site provides a captivating glimpse into the underwater world of Key West. Embark on an unforgettable adventure as you discover the remarkable beauty and marine wonders of this second-largest purposefully sunk ship in the world. Plan your dive at this incredible artificial reef and immerse yourself in the vibrant aquatic realm that awaits beneath the surface.

Diving Conditions Score for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

7.6
Good

Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.

Dive Site Overview for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

Depth

32m

Visibility

15m

Experience Level

advanced
expert

Weather Conditions for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

Wave Height

0.28m

Wind Speed

11.8 m/s

Water Temp

31.1°C

Visibility

22.5km

Cloud Cover

50%

Wave Period

4.3s

Air Temperature

28.2°C

Precipitation

0 mm

Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)
Alpha

Dive Score Chart for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

Best time to dive: 8:00 with score 8.207684474885845/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.28m, Wind 10.3 m/s.Best night dive time: 2:00 with score 8.17470588235294/10.

Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.

Sunrise at USS Vandenberg (Wreck): 06:00
Sunset at USS Vandenberg (Wreck): 18:00

Optimal diving conditions at USS Vandenberg (Wreck) are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.

🌞
Best Overall
8:00

Score: 8.2/10
Waves: 0.28m (3.65s), Wind: 10.3 m/s

🌞
Safest Overall
9:00

Score: 8.2/10
Waves: 0.3m (3.4s), Wind: 9.2 m/s

🌙
Best Night
2:00

Score: 8.2/10
Waves: 0.32m, Wind: 4.9 m/s

Seasonal Analysis for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)
Alpha

Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.

Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Seasonal DiveScore Chart

This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.

Higher values indicate better diving conditions

Best Season for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

Winter

Avg. Score: 8.8/10

Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.

Best Months for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

February
Score: 8.8
December
Score: 8.8
January
Score: 8.7

Ideal Conditions for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

Water Temp

Thermometer Emoji

27.5°C / 81.5°F

June

Visibility

Telescope Emoji

11.6m / 38.1ft

October

Wave Height

Wave Emoji

2.4m / 7.9ft

September

Wave Period

Wave Emoji

8.0s

January

Seasonal Insights for USS Vandenberg (Wreck)

USS Vandenberg (Wreck) shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.4°C) and January the coldest (18.0°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in September with average wave heights of 2.4m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in September with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). February is usually the driest month with 0.1mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during September to November, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.

Scoring Legend:
9-10 (Excellent)
7-8 (Good)
5-6 (Average)
3-4 (Poor)
1-2 (Dangerous)

Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026

Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.

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