Dive Trips

The U.S.N.S. Vandenberg
The U.S.N.S. 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 the popular motion picture 'Virus'. The length of the ship is 523ft. It lies upright at a depth of 140ft - 154ft in the sand, the bow deck lies at 95ft. The majority of the superstructure lies between 60ft - 80ft. There are many swim throughs and penetration points on the ship. An Advanced certification or higher is required to dive this wreck and there will be no penetration unless properly trained and proof of certification is shown.

Cayman Salvage Master
The Cayman Salvage Master was launched as the Lt. Col. Ellery W. Niles, a 163' long US Army minelayer built by Pusey & Jones of Wilmington, Delaware in 1937. She was a twin screw, diesel electric powered vessel. The sheaves on the bow were originally used to raise and lower bottom moored mines in coastal defense controlled mine fields. Converted in 1965, she became known as the Research Vessel (R/V) F.V. Hunt of Marine Acoustical Services, Inc. Neglected, she sank at her dock in Key West. She was eventually scrapped and was prepared to be sunk in deep water as an artificial reef. However, as she was being towed to her designated resting spot in August of 1985, she sank prematurely, landing in 95' of water on her port side; later in 1985 Hurricane Kate up righted her. The Cayman is rich with sea life, particularly green morays and other eels and the giant grouper known as Jewfish. Advanced certification or higher is required for this dive.

Joes Tug
Joe's Tug was a harbor tug. After sinking at its pier at Safe Harbor, Key West in 1986, it was raised, cleaned and prepped for sinking as an artificial reef off of Miami. The night before it was scheduled to be towed north, a group of locals surreptitiously towed the boat out of Key West harbor. Their booty sank enroute to wherever they were headed, landing on the reef in about 60 feet of water. Local dive shops avoided the wreck for several years, not wanting to associate too closely with the escapade. Around 1990, people began visiting the wreck. Hurricane George opened up the hull completely. It is accessible to open-water certified divers and shelters schools of snapper, as well as usually resident Jewfish and eels. The dive is interesting not only for the wreck itself, but for the surrounding reef.

Reef Dives
Most Reef dives around Key West are at 20 - 40 feet (6 -12 meters). We have 30 to 40 different sites to choose from; our captains make the choice on any given day depending on conditions and visibility. The Reefs themselves are part of the Florida Keys Barrier Reef (the third largest in the world) and make up the chain that runs the full length of the Keys. The Keys and surrounding reefs are part of the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary and are protected waters. So please do not touch the coral or take any shells.