Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas is one of the most remote national parks in the United States. Featuring pristine beaches, coral reefs, and a historic Civil War fort, this place has something for everyone! In this post, I’ll give you a bit of background, how to get to the park, and how to have the perfect day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park!

A Bit of History

Discovery and Early Days

Discovered by Ponce de Leon in the 1500s, Dry Tortugas got its name from the 100s of sea turtles he viewed while exploring the archipelago. In the 1600s and 1700s, the group of islands became a prime spot for swashbuckling pirates. The islands are situated ideally between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean – making this an ideal route for merchants and explorers. It was easy for pirates who knew these waters well to encounter unsuspecting ships. 

Even though this was an excellent shipping lane, captains needed to be cautious of coral reefs and storms. The rocky sea floor led to many wrecks during the 17th and 18th centuries. There are over 250 recorded shipwrecks in the area. In 1985, treasure hunters discovered $450 million in silver and gold from a shipwreck! Talk about X marks the spot! 

After the War of 1812, the U.S. sent builders and troops down to Dry Tortugas to build Fort Jefferson. Because of the island’s strategic location, the fort could offer protection to merchant ships and provide a defense in case any enemies were to use the shipping lanes to attack the U.S. 

The Civil War

The fort became home to over 160 soldiers and their families during the Civil War. Afterward, the U.S. government decided to use the fort as a prison. One of the most famous prisoners was Henry Mudd – one of the men who planned President Lincoln’s assassination. However, the fort wasn’t a perfect situation. Plagued by yellow fever and disease, not to mention hurricanes, the government quickly pulled out, and Fort Jefferson and the islands became deserted.

Recent History

It wasn’t until 1935, when President Roosevelt declared Fort Jefferson a National Monument, that it came back on our radars. It allowed for the restoration of the structures and protection of the wildlife and surrounding coral reefs. In 1992, Dry Tortugas, including Fort Jefferson,  was established as a national park and is open to visitors today. 

How To Get There

A day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park takes a bit of planning, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! There’s a reason that Dry Tortugas is one of the most remote national parks in the U.S. It’s not that easy to get to the park. There are two main ways to get to the islands. Both ways pay for admission to the park and Fort Jefferson.

Yankee Freedom Ferry

The first option is to take the Yankee Freedom Ferry (check it out here). The ferry is $200 per person, with discounts for people aged 65+ and children under 16. The price includes transportation (obviously), breakfast and lunch, a forty-five-minute guided tour of Fort Jefferson, and any snorkeling equipment needed. The boat ride is approximately two hours each way, and you spend around five hours at the park, plenty of time to explore!

As with any tropical destination, a change in weather can throw a wrench in your plans. While ferry trips are not canceled due to rain, they can be canceled due to rough waters. For this reason, I recommend planning a day trip to Dry Tortugas on the first or second full day you’re in Key West. This should leave you enough time to reschedule in case of cancellation. For more information about rescheduling, check their website here!

Seaplane

The second option is to take a seaplane to Dry Tortugas. The trip is $371 per person and over $600 if you want to spend the entire day at the park. Flying over the water is an incredible experience. You can view shipwrecks and sea life from above, and the pilot provides excellent information about the wrecks and the park. The service includes drinks as well as any snorkeling equipment needed.

I felt that the seaplane was worth it. It was an incredible experience, albeit a bit scary at times! If you’re interested, I recommend booking these excursions a few months in advance as they fill up quickly! Similar to the ferry, the seaplane excursion can be canceled due to inclement weather. It’s important to ensure you book your trip with enough time to reschedule. For more information, check out their website here!

When to Visit

The best time to visit Dry Tortugas National Park is November through April. It’s a little cooler during these months; typically, there are no hurricanes or tropical storms in winter or spring. While late spring and summer are great times to explore, they can bring crowds, so book your ferry or seaplane well in advance.

I’d recommend avoiding hurricane season, late August through October, as there’s a higher chance of bad weather and your trips being canceled.

What to Bring

As mentioned above, the seaplane and the ferry will provide you with snorkeling gear and refreshments. I would also recommend bringing the following items: 

• A bathing suit and a change of clothes (there are public restrooms at the park) 
• Comfortable shoes (as the area can be a little rocky) 
• Towels
• Sunscreen
• A granola bar or fruit 
• Sunglasses or hat 
• Jacket / Light Sweatshirt, depending on the time of year
• Snorkeling gear (if you want to bring your own) 
• Cash (always tip the pilot or the boat staff! It’s a nice gesture, and they appreciate it!) 

What to Do

There’s so much to explore at Dry Tortugas; a few hours are all you need to explore.

Tour Fort Jefferson 

Take a 90-minute guided tour of Fort Jefferson or explore on your own. The structure has three floors, with the top offering panoramic views of the crystal-clear waters below. While the building has had some renovations, be cautious when walking around, there are no guardrails. Keep an eye on your kids’ folks! 

There are tons of brick arches, cannons, and even a lighthouse to explore! You can also walk the moat wall for amazing views outside the fort. 

Go Snorkeling

One of my favorite things is snorkeling; I love pretending to be a mermaid! There are multiple areas where you can snorkel at Dry Tortugas. The park will provide a map with the safest sites to snorkel and good spots for beginners. The South Swim Beach and the moat wall are the best spots for snorkeling, with the South Swim Beach being ideal for beginners. If you’re more advanced, head to the South Coaling Dock Ruins.

Dry Tortugas is home to one of the most vibrant reefs in the United States. It stretches all the way from the Gulf of Mexico to Miami in the Atlantic Ocean. You can expect to see colorful coral and all kinds of tropical fish, including parrot fish, angel fish, and even a barracuda or two!

When visiting, there are also several rules to maintain a good environment for the coral and other animals that live here. For more information on snorkeling and swimming, visit their website here!

TRAVEL TIP!

There are no lifeguards on duty at Dry Tortugas. Always remember to stay safe while snorkeling, and never snorkel alone!

Go Swimming or Kayaking

The south swim beach is the best area to swim at Dry Tortugas. There’s little to no coral and minimal waves – an excellent site for beginners or little ones! You’ll also get amazing views of Fort Jefferson from the water. Bush Key is another good spot for swimming, but the terrain can be rockier – make sure you pack some water shoes if you plan to swim here. 

You’re also allowed to kayak at Dry Tortugas! This is a great option if you want to explore some more isolated parts of the park. You can kayak to Loggerhead Key, which is approximately 3 miles west of Garden Key. It can take a few hours to get there and back, so make sure you plan your day wisely; you don’t want to miss the boat or seaplane back! For more information, check out the official website here!

Wildlife and Bird Watching

Over 200 species of birds visit Dry Tortugas National Park each year, which makes it a perfect spot for any bird lover. Since many species use this island for nesting, the National Park closes Bush Key from February to September. You can still visit the island and explore most of the beach, but be respectful of the wildlife.

Additionally, dolphins and sea turtles can be seen in the surrounding areas – if you’re lucky, you can catch a glimpse of them on your way to the park from the ferry or seaplane.  

All the animals are protected by the National Park Service. Please be respectful when visiting and do your part to preserve and protect!

Go Camping

Looking to extend your day trip to Dry Tortugas – go camping! While I did not pitch a tent and stay overnight, I’ve heard excellent things about the experience. The sunsets and star gazing are supposed to be incredible. There are campgrounds and toilets; however, the island has no running water or wifi, so camp at your own risk. For more information about camping, check out the official website here!

Dry Tortugas is the perfect day trip and an exciting adventure to add to your vacation in Key West. Whether you want to learn a bit of history, explore the white sandy beaches, or swim in crystal-clear waters, this is the place! 10/10 would recommend.