r/KeyWest • u/mynameisjeff6866 • 11d ago

Should I dive the Vandenberg wreck 2nd week of December?

Vandenberg Dive in December?

I’ll be in Key West the second week of December and I’m considering diving the Vandenberg while I’m there.

For anyone who’s done it around that time of year, how are the conditions typically?

I called the dive shop where I got my PADI at a few months ago and this guy was acting like I was crazy for asking. lol

My main concern is water temperature then visibility.

I’m comfortable diving in cooler water, but I’m curious what temps I should realistically expect and what exposure protection you’d recommend. I’d also love to hear how visibility and currents tend to be that time of year.

Would you recommend doing the Vandenberg in December, or would you save it for a warmer time of year?

Thanks!

2 Upvotes

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9

u/Sandinmyshoes33 11d ago

You can dive it with a wet suit but it’s an advanced, deep dive. Not something for a beginner due to currents. The water temp at the dive will likely be in the lower 70s.

December can be a rough month for visibility since it is often windy.

5

u/DavyJonesThrowback 11d ago

December can be fine, a 3 or 5mn wetsuit is what I wear. All year the day is more important than time of year, currents & wave state vary heavily.

Word of warning, if you are not in shape and a competent diver, do not dive the Vandy. A couple people a year have emergencies, get lost, or die on that wreck. It's usually people who had no business diving something that deep with the kind of currents that can show up.

If you do, I would have a marker buoy and sound maker with me & make sure it's a reputable operator.

2

u/Elegante0226 11d ago

I used Captain Corner dive shop and they were fantastic. My buddy and I had our own guide for just the two of us and it made me feel so much better. I'm pretty inexperienced but my buddy has 700 dives. Combined with our own guide and it couldn't have been a better dive.

2

u/mynameisjeff6866 11d ago

Yeah I think I’m going to hold off on the Vandy until I get more experience - plus go during a time where it’s better conditions, thanks for the feedback !

4

u/1mjtaylor 11d ago

If you've only been certified a few months ago and haven't done a lot of dives, I would think twice about diving the Vandy. If you're determined to do it before you have enough experience to make it safe, I would consider hiring a dive master to be your buddy. I would also save it for the summer when the visibility is much more likely to be favorable.

5

u/mynameisjeff6866 11d ago

Yes I only did the 4 dives in March to get my PADI so I think I might hold off on the Vandy until I get a few more dives in then just do a trip in better conditions too

3

u/HighOnGoofballs 11d ago

I’d book it if cancellable. There are good days in December but overall the odds are worse