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Dry Tortugas National Park

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Editor Pick

Although the Road Ends, the Trip Doesn't

  • July 28, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by RoBoNC from Indianapolis, Indiana
Although the Road Ends, the Trip Doesn't

Although US Route 1 ends in Key West, Monroe County actually extends seventy miles west of the town in Dry Tortugas. Dry Tortugas is made up of seven islands accessible only by boat or seaplane. The name "Tortugas" is derived from the abundance of sea turtles in the area and "Dry" comes from the fact that there is no freshwater source. The Dry Tortugas was seen as a vital shipping lane and the US built a fort, Fort Jefferson, on one of the islands, Garden Key, to protect shipping on the Mississippi River. Construction lasted thirty years and was never completed as originally planned. Its biggest purpose served as an "Alcatraz" during the Civil War. Union deserters who were captured were sentenced here along with four people that were implicated in Abraham Lincoln’s death. The fort was abandoned in 1876.

Today, it is the Dry Tortugas National Park and because of its location, the most inaccessible National Park, and not to mention, the most expensive to visit. The National Park Service has contracted private companies to provide transportation to the park. It is based on your personal preference which one you choose. The quickest way to the islands but also the most expensive option is the seaplane. The cost was about $225 a person. However, a recent review of the National Park Service’s website has deleted the seaplane service link. The seaplane service may have ended, however a call to the Key West Airport could provide information if this service is still available.

I went with the cheaper option, the boat, if you can call it that. Two companies provide boat service to the Dry Tortugas, the Yankee Freedom and Sunny Days. I went with Sunny Days because it was a little cheaper, $145 as compared to $165. They both offer the same trip itinerary, 41/2 hours at Fort Jefferson, continental breakfast, buffet style lunch and complimentary soft drinks, water, and tea throughout the day. They both offer a guided tour of Fort Jefferson (or you can take a self-guided tour) as well as provide snorkeling gear.

The boats leave the Key West Marina at 8:00am and return no later than 5pm. The trip takes two hours each way. We grabbed breakfast on board the boat and took a nice enjoyable ride to the Dry Tortugas. The whole fort is open to the public except for a small area where the park rangers’ families reside. There is a gift shop at the fort where you can pick up some souvenirs. Because there is no freshwater in the Dry Tortugas, that means there is no bathroom, either. Bathroom facilities are located onboard the boat. Snorkel gear is issued before you leave the docks and you are allowed to swim around the fort or just relax on the beach.

Because of the location of the Dry Tortugas, the islands are sometimes visited by Cubans who are trying to make it to the US. There is even a sign at the Fort that tells visitors that Park Rangers may not always be available if they have an incident of Cubans coming ashore. It takes every Park Ranger and staff member to decontaminate the subjects and watch them as they wait for Immigration authorities. You can see some of the Cuban boats that have come ashore and are now stacked on one side of the island.

An important tip before visiting the Dry Tortugas is that if you get motion sickness, bring Dramamine. They will offer it onboard the boat for a fee. I don’t usually get motion sickness, but on the return trip, it took a long time before we got on a boat again. The Sunny Days operates a Catamaran, which was faster than the Yankee Freedom, but we paid for it on the way back. We went to Dry Tortugas in December, which is still winter in Florida, although it doesn’t feel like it. During the winter, the Gulf of Mexico has really choppy waves. We were told as we boarded to head back, that it was going to be a bumpy ride. The entire ride back we were going airborne off of the waves and crashing hard onto the water. People started getting sick and the staff had to escort some people outside on the boat to get fresh air.

We brought our one year old son with us. I began to notice my wife getting sea sick from the choppy waves. I began to laugh at her since I never get sea sick. Twenty minutes later, I started getting that feeling. It didn’t take long before my son was passed out in my arms. It took everything in my power to keep my son asleep while I came out of seat every time the boat went airborne. A lady next to me told me to look at the horizon to combat the sea sickness and believe it or not, it helped. I looked at that horizon for about two hours and was so relieved when I saw Key West. The most horrific boat ride was over and my son slept through the whole ordeal.

Had I known what the return trip was going to be like, I would have taken the Yankee Freedom and paid the extra $20. Although we beat Yankee Freedom to Fort Jefferson, it was the other way around on the return trip. It was as if the Yankee Freedom cut right through the waves. It was an exciting trip, but one boat ride that I do not want to experience again.

From journal Fun and Sun in Key West

Dry Tortugas National Park

  • January 1, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by thecompgal from bowling green, Kentucky
Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles west of Key West. It consists of seven tiny islands and the surrounding waters; this is a beautiful place to see, great snorkeling and excellent views.

From journal Florida Keys

Dry Tortugas

  • August 18, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by mtemail from Huntsville, Ohio
Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas

Seventy miles off the west coast of Key West is the national park of the Dry Tortugas. You can get to the island one of two ways; by a large tourist boat or by seaplane. I recommend the Seaplanes of Key West trip without a doubt . . .this is our second time of taking the trip and with great advice we took the 2 pm flight, this is a TERRIFIC time to fly because you arrive just as the large tourist boat is packing up to return to Key West. This gets you on the island when no one else (with the exception of those who are camping there--but that number is very small) is there. It gives you a private tropical island with the most spectacular water views... The setting is just beautiful from every angle.

First of all the Seaplane trip is a fun ride--you take off from Key West Airport , fly reasonably low over beautiful water views, pass a couple of ship wrecks, and arrive at the Dry Torgugas landing on the water which is such a thrill for all.

You end up on the island about 2 hours. On the island you have a pristine beach for some very nice snorkeling--there are very close coral areas and very calm and clear waters, and then you can walk Fort Jefferson (the largest brick building in the western hemisphere. After the war of 1812 the United Sates of America began construction of a chain of coastal defense forts stretching from Maine to Texas. Construction of Fort Jefferson began in 1846. Construction continued for over 30 years but the Fort, which covers 11 of the key’s 16 acres, was never finished, the hugeness of the fort and the repeating patterns of brick make for excellent photos with the topical blue water background. Dr. Mudd’s cell is the primary point of attraction. Dr. Mudd is the physician who treated John Wilkes Booth (Lincoln’s assassin), who was imprisoned for his act of humanity, thus the saying " your name is Mud".

Without a doubt this is a really wonderful way to spend a day from Key West, the trip is a little costly--it was over 1400.00 for the eight of us, but I can say without a doubt it was worth every cent and I would gladly and willingly do it again’.

From journal Key West with the Whole Family 2006

Ft. Jefferson /Dry Tortugas National Park

  • June 28, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Mamaofboyz from Key West, Florida
There are many ways to get there: fly, boats, ferries, etc. We took the trip aboard the Yankee Freedom. The price was $139 per adult and included entrance fees to the park. The fort is pretty cool, the water surrounding it is crystal clear and beautiful! Great snorkeling water! There are a few options for making the trip: day trips and overnight trips. The Yankee Freedom allowed us to leave at 8am and return by 5:30pm. A continental breakfast greets you. They serve a light lunch of sandwiches, chips, drinks, etc. They offer a tour of the park (40 minutes) and then provide snorkel gear to anyone who wants some. The hour trip that it takes to reach the park is comfortable in the cabin and decks.

The park was fun, the history of it was cool. There are also haunting tours of it if you want to experience it. The island has lots of shade, tables, benches, etc., so it is accommodating for everyone. It isn't overcrowded, although you'll want to claim your picnic spot early.

The kids loved the water and running free in the grass fields within the fort. Climbing to the upper level of the fort was not for them, but they loved the rustic feel of it all and the pretending of "holding down the fort" through the windows.

From journal Florida Keys

Editor Pick

Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park

  • March 18, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by creekland from East Berlin, Pennsylvania
Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park

Beautiful... you arrive by ferry (or seaplane) from Key West and suddenly see this red-brick fort seemingly out in the middle of nowhere. There are frigate birds, gulls, sooty terns, and pelicans all around - and endless sights of brilliant blue water.

Shortly after you arrive (10 to 10:30am) there is a guided tour of the fort. The guide tells you the history - and WHY there is a fort in this particular out of the way place. One wonders to themselves what it must have been like when there were 2,000 people living on this little spit of land (Garden Key is SMALL - the fort takes up most of the land area).

After the tour there is a buffet lunch for ferry guests - seaplane guests have a packed lunch. Then, many folks go snorkeling to see an array of coral and multicolored fish literally using every color in those 64 crayon packs, I think... Those who prefer to stay dry often walk around the moat, as by looking down from it, one can also see some coral and fish - many times starfish and other such creatures as well.

Later in the afternoon there is sometimes an additional tour - ours was up into the Harbor Lighthouse. There is a small gift shop for postcards, books, and other small souvenirs. Then, for daytrippers, it's time to leave (about 2:30pm). For those who are more adventurous, check on camping there (see my camping entry in this journal).

From journal Exploring the Dry Tortugas, Everglades, and Disney

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