Dry Tortugas National Park: Know Before You Go

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Dry Tortugas National Park (DTNP) is one of the least visited US national parks for good reason. You can’t exactly hop in a car and drive across a bridge to explore this national park and historic fort. So how do you get there, and is it worth the effort?? Well, keep reading because we will answer all your Tortugas questions!

Dry Tortugas National Park Tour

Worth it

Heck, YES! You will find beautiful, crystal clear waters glistening in the sun, vibrant aquatic life, and soft beaches, all on the footsteps of American history. 

What will you discover

1. Fort Jefferson - construction began in 1849 and was never completed, prison during the civil war

2. Endangered Sea turtles - Sea turtles nest in the area and can frequently be seen swimming along the ocean's surface.

3. Corals - 30 species of coral reef within DTNP, home to a variety of marine life such as fish, lobsters, sponges, sea stars, and anemones

4. Birds - more than 200 species of birds migrate through DTNP, Bush Key is a nesting ground for several birds annually

5. Vibrant fish - an endless variety of fish can be found in and around the coral reef, some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world

6. Shipwreck - Windjammer Shipwreck, Sank in 1907 and was discovered in 1971, now an artificial reef, great for diving

Where exactly is Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas National Park is a group of seven islands and coral reefs about 70 miles west of Key West. The national park is a smidge over 100 square miles. You might be surprised to learn that less than 1% of the park is dry ground. The rest of this beautiful park resides under the Atlantic Ocean.

Park Map

Keys of Dry Tortugas

• Garden Key - home to Fort Jefferson, where tourists arrive to tour the national park, second largest island

• Loggerhead Key - largest key, highest elevation, home to the Dry Tortugas Lighthouse, sits 3 miles from Garden Key and is an excellent kayak trip from Garden Key

• Bush Key - hogs were raised on this island to feed Fort Jefferson prisoners (formerly called Hog Island), closed to visitors from April to September to protect nesting sooty terns and brown noddys

• Hospital Key - in the 1970s a hospital was built for the inmates of Fort Jefferson, closed to visitors

• Middle Key - not always above sea level, can disappear for months at a time, closed to visitors

• East Key - closed to visitors

• Long Key - closed to visitors

How to get there

Dry Tortugas is one of the most remote national parks, with only two ways to visit, by boat and seaplane. So let’s talk pros and cons of each so you can choose how you want to arrive.

Private vessel

Visitors are permitted to beach dinghys, kayaks, canoes, or other small boats on dinghy beach located east of the docks on Garden Key. Private boats are not allowed to dock as they are reserved for government use only.  

Yankee Freedom Ferry

Details

• catamaran with a/c and bathrooms

• the only ferry permitted to dock at the national park

• breakfast snack and box lunch provided

• snorkeling equipment provided

• includes entrance fee to national park

• narrated 45-minute tour of Fort Jefferson

• reservations required

Pros

• cheapest option, currently $200 per person

• allows about 4.5 hours island time

Cons

• ferry takes 2.5 hours each way

• reservations will fill up weeks in advance so book early

Seaplane

Details

• the only seaplane permitted to land in the national park

• catch the plane at Key West International Airport

• water and small cooler provided

• pilot provides details and history of the park, will point out animals such as turtles and shipwrecks along the route

• Chris, our pilot circled back for everyone to see dolphins playing in the water

• reservations required

Pros

• the most scenic and memorable way to reach the Dry Tortugas

• only 40 minute flight each way

• full day allows the longest time on the island at 6.5 hours

• book the first flight of the day to be to have the island to yourself before the ferry arrives

Cons

• airport parking is $19 per day

• most expensive option, half day is $371 per person, full day is $644 per person

• half day only allows 2.5 hours of island time, not enough time to snorkel and tour Fort Jefferson

• does not include national park entrance fee of $15 per person (may use national park pass)

• reservations can be up to 3 months out, so book early

• does not come with a guided tour

Camping at Fort Jefferson

• 10 primitive, dry camping sites with grill and picnic table are available on Garden Key

• camping permitted for up to 14 consecutive days, and 30 days per year

• first come, first served

• arrive before 1030 am ferry if you are in a private vessel for the best shot of a shaded site

• $15 per night, pay by check or cash only

• If you are planning to take the ferry then you will need to follow their specific rules which include

  • limited to 3 nights

  • weight limit on camping gear,

  • ferry fee for transportation $200

  • allows only 3-4 campers per day so it books up to 12 months out

what to bring

• swim suit

• beach towel

• camera

• sunglasses and hat as there is NO shade

• snorkeling gear (provided by ferry)

• sunscreen

• binoculars

• cash or credit card for national park gift shop and extra snacks on ferry

• dry clothes for the return if snorkeling

• snacks (not supplied by seaplane)

• national park pass if arriving by seaplane

just go

Visiting this national treasure is a once in a lifetime, bucket list event for most of us. And it is not a trip that you will regret! It is worth the time, effort and expense!

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About the Author: Meet Stacy! Stacy and her husband, Phil, are a wanderlust couple who have been roaming the great USA for an epic 5 years! They ditched the daily grind to embark on thrilling adventures and inspire fellow dreamers to chase their travel dreams. Curious about how they do it? Check out their awesome youtube channel, Today is Someday, where they're spilling all the secrets to living a life on the move. Get ready to pack your bags and join them on this incredible journey.