The weather was terrific on the surface but, unfortunately, the visibility was only about 30 – 35 feet. There have been a few storms coming through Key West in the last few weeks. Luckily, no hurricanes, but the runoff and general churn requires a bit closer dive buddy contact under the surface…which, of course, runs counter to the social distancing goals on land.

We last saw the USS Vandenberg in 2014. It has shifted a bit due to intervening storms, but remains a massive dive opportunity much too limited by the 20(ish) minute bottom time depending on how far down you go. Back-to-back dives double that time, but we could honestly spend a week just doing this wreck. Goliath grouper, schools of barracuda, angelfish, damsels among other creatures make their homes throughout the radar gear, bridge and hundreds of interior compartments.