Just returned from Key West- great experience

[DiverDurf]

Bud & I went to Key West this past weekend. Squeezed in a dive on the Vandenberg with 100' viz and 84 degree water temps and another reef dive Friday afternoon. Returned on Saturday and did another 2 tank dive on the Vandenberg; viz reduced to a whopping 80-90'; same water temps. Seas kicked up a little with that cold front that moved in which made for fun times while boarding the boat (bucking bronco!). Each of these dives were with the Lost Reef charter and they were absolutely fantastic to dive with. They really go out of their way to move "ALL" of your equipment for you on/off the boat to/from the shop. They go over a thorough safety briefing and ensure everyone is listening to them. They are also very conscious about guiding divers on/off the boat as you waddle across the boat in your fins.

The Vandenberg: if you haven't done it yet, you simply must! There are several lines tied off at various points making for an extremely easy descent/ascent. We had "NO" current on the ship and made several penetrations through the sides (clear openings to other side and a straight shot). There is an American flag attached at the rear of the ship that you can grab onto, dump your air, and pull down for an awesome photo op. The sea life is growing and the reef is starting to form around the ship, but it's going to take some time yet- it's a BIG ship.

Came up Sunday and dove the Duane and Snapper Reef with the FL Keys Dive Center in Tavernier, FL. Those guys were awesome as always and have the biggest of dive boats in the Keys (of the Newton series......theirs are 46'). There was a strong current descending to the Duane and the staying on the lines was a must, but after that it was smooth diving with little effort. Plenty of life, plenty of curious 'Cudas, and two reef sharks in the 5-6' range wandering around. Had about 80-90' viz on that one and bath water temps.

I highly recommend both of these charters if you're heading down. The only consideration you need for Lost Reef is that while they do air fills they do not have nitrox. You will need to get nitrox at another nearby shop, and you'll find the fill prices to be around $10 per tank. Keep an eye on them though because a lot of shops like to fill them fast and hot, then dump air on top for when the tanks cool down. One fill resulted in 2800psi once the tank cooled off. However, an experienced diver on a 110' dive will find that this is still plenty of air with great bottom time.

Would love to add some pics but can't seem to figure that part out.......maybe this link will work?

Picasa Web Albums - tbdurfee - My Documents#

[DJBadfish]

Sounds like a great dive! Thanks for the update on the Vandenberg...I want to dive that next time I make it to the Keys! Good job!

[TJDiver]

Thanks for the report. Glad you had a good time. We dove in the Keys a couple weeks back, and blustery weather was moving in by the time we left. Glad it calmed down for your trip.

[DiverDurf]

Yeah, the boat Captains told us the current just suddenly died during the week before we arrived and that it was blasting people around the week before. Sounds like you took the brunt of it for us, so thank you! ;-)

[TJDiver]

Actually, we left right as it was picking up. I think the folks that were there between our trips were the ones that got blasted around. BTW, how deep is the Vandenberg? I would like to dive it, but my son's now got this thing, that if I dive he has to dive, and he's really new to diving. I'm sure it's beyond his experience/training right now.

[DiverDurf]

The line descends to about 90' and the ship rests on the sand at approximately 130'. There is no need to go to the sand unless you just want to, but there's certainly nothing more to see there than upwards. We found ourselves doing our dives around the 105' mark which is where you see (from my pics) the main walkways around the outside of the ship. The penetrations ranged from 105' and a couple in the 80' area. It's a great all around dive, but your son has to have gone on deep dives before being allowed to make this one. The theory there is that no charter wants a diver to be doing their first "non-escorted" deep dive at a site like this, and at certain times of the year the currents make it an advanced dive and not for the beginner. As long as your son is AOW certified and has completed a deep dive within the past 6 months with no complications, he should be just fine. You know what's best for his capability so let your judgment be your guide.

[TJDiver]

My son's not AOW, but he has dove to 70 feet in the past. I thought the Vandenberg was known for the potential for some strong currents, and he has not yet experienced that. We're taking a trip on Blackbeard's next June, where he'll get in some drift dives, and some general experience with currents. We'll be taking the AOW cert before that trip, so with all of that, he may be suited for the Vandenberg by next Fall's trip to the Keys. We may even get to do some intermediate wreck dives from Panama City before then too. Thanks.

[DiverDurf]

You bet and it sounds like he'll be ready to go by then- definitely needs that AOW cert. Have fun on the dives!

[allangering]

I love key west, we go every year, and of all the places we have stayed the sheraton key west suites has been the best time so far.
____________________
Experts on Key West travel deals

[Sansho]

Need to get down to dive the Vandenburg - maybe next year.