About the Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas is a National Park about 70 miles west of Key West. It spans one hundred square miles and includes both open water and seven small islands. What makes this place so magical is that it can only be reached by boat or seaplane. Thusly, it is almost untouched and is home to picturesque views, coral reefs, birds, and unique marine life.
Discovered by Ponce de Leon in the early 1500’s, he aptly named the islands for their abundance of sea turtles and for the fact that they were “dry” in that they had no fresh water.
The largest island of the Dry Tortugas is called Garden Key, and it houses Fort Jefferson, a Civil War era fort built between 1845 and 1876. It is the largest brick edifice in this hemisphere and it is not even complete! While there are many distinguishing features that architects would enjoy, history buffs can also appreciate the history of the island and the fort.
The other keys, or islands, that make up the Dry Tortugas include: Loggerhead Key, Bush Key, Long Key, East Key, Hospital Key, and Middle Key. The Dry Tortugas are open year round, although certain parts of the park are closed at times for safety or ecological reasons.
Getting There
If you plan on visiting the park, there are many things to do including camping, birding, snorkeling, touring Fort Jefferson, or just relaxing on the beach. Make sure that you bring a camera with you to capture some of the gorgeous scenery the island offers. And, hopefully some of the wild life both on shore and in the water. The three main ways of getting to the island are by seaplane, by ferry, and by private charter.
The Yankee Freedom Ferry runs 364 days a year, weather permitting. This is by far the most affordable way to get out to the Dry Tortugas. Trips depart daily at 8:00AM and return to Key West by around 5:00 PM. It takes approximately two hours to travel the 70 miles to the Dry Tortugas. But, on the way you will enjoy plenty of beautiful scenery while partaking in a complimentary continental breakfast aboard this comfortable boat. Once you arrive at the island, you are free to spend your time as you wish. There is a guided tour of the fort available. But, you can tour it on your own if group tours are not your thing. Afterwards, you can enjoy a picnic lunch on the island. You can also snorkel the coral reef or walk some of the trails on the island while looking out for some of the wildlife that call the Dry Tortugas home.
Key West Seaplane Adventures are a great way to get over to the Dry Tortugas while incorporating some low altitude aerial sightseeing. It also takes much less travel time to get there and back. Flight time is about forty-five minutes each way. Soft drinks and and snorkel gear are provided to you on this excursion.
Private Charters to visit the Dry Tortugas are also available from a handful of permitted companies. Dream Catcher Charters has been running this trip longer than any other company on the island, so they are our go to company for this trip. Not only can you stop at the island, but you can also fish the seas surrounding the Tortugas on this trip. It is very customizable.
More Dry Tortugas and Key West Information
There is so much more Dry Tortugas and Key West information. Maybe you should just give us a call and set up a reservation to visit! Because options for transportation to the area are limited, reservations need to be made well in advance. We recommend at least a month in advance. And, for the Key West busy season, up to six months in advance is advisable.
The trip to the Dry Tortugas may not be for everyone though. Considerations include your time, the weather conditions, and your budget. Let Island Genn talk you through the options and find the best one for you. 305-292-7212 or email islandgenn@me.com.