Guide to Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park

As soon as your boat pulls up to Dry Tortugas National Park, you will be stunned by the bright turquoise waters and the imposing Fort that surrounds the island. This little island off the coast of Florida feels as if it appears out of nowhere. Visiting Dry Tortugas is something that you will never forget!

I have been to 56 national parks and this one is in my top five! There’s just nothing else like it. You need to add this to your bucket list. Dylan and I were in awe the entire time we were in the park. It’s still my dream to go back and camp there to spend a night under the stars far from the rest of the world.

Getting to Dry Tortugas can be complicated, so I’ve created this guide with everything you need to know. This blog includes Dry Tortugas ferry information, the best time to visit, and an itinerary for while you’re there. You can watch our experience at Dry Tortugas at my vlog here! 

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Dry Tortugas National Park Guide

What is Dry Tortugas National Park?

Dry Tortugas is one of the rare parks that is mostly underwater. There are seven different islands in the 100 mile space that are part of the park. These islands have wonderful coral ecosystems where you can snorkel and see underwater life.

Most people visit this park to see Fort Jefferson, a huge fort that was built to protect one of the most strategic areas in the seas. This was a common trade route and it was a good stopping place for ships to reload supplies. The Fort was supposed to be big enough to hold 450 cannons and is an extremely impressive structure, but it was never fully finished. Later, it was used as a prison and coal mining dumping grounds. You can also camp right outside of the Fort on the island.

How Do I Get To Dry Tortugas?

Boat Over

If you plan on visiting Dry Tortugas, then you’ll have to get there by boat or seaplane from Key West, Florida. Boats are the cheaper of the two options and it’s what most people end up doing. If you are lucky enough to have a private boat, you can ride it 70 miles from Key West to get to the fort. You only have to pay the entrance fee of $15.

Ferry to Dry Tortugas

For those, like us, who don’t have their own boats you can book a ferry ride. The Yankee Freedom takes daily trips to the fort with a steep price of $220 a person, but if you have an America the Beautiful pass you can get refunded $15 a person! The ferry provides breakfast, lunch, snorkels, and a tour around Fort Jefferson.

There are concessions sold on board and the ferry ride is incredibly beautiful. You can even choose to camp overnight and take the ferry back home the next day.  Look into tickets early, because the ferry does sell out at times!

Seaplane

The last option is to take a seaplane over the 70 mile distance. The only seaplane that is allowed into Dry Tortugas is Key West Seaplane Charters. This is the most expensive of the options with a half day excursion costing $361 and a full day excursion costing $634. You’ll see beautiful sights from the air and the ride is only 40 minutes long.

Best Time to Visit Dry Tortugas

Honestly, Dry Tortugas is a special destination year round. But the best and most popular time for people to visit is from November through April. We went in early December and it was absolutely spectacular with perfect conditions.

Wildlife enthusiasts may want to plan their trips around the most active times of year. In the late spring from April to May, you can see tons of birds who are completing their migrations, which is a spectacular sight. Meanwhile, sea turtles are often spotted in the waters in May and June.

Although summer is still popular it can be extremely hot and subject to larger storms. The late summer months of August and September are also hurricane season. So, if you plan a trip then you may have to be more flexible.

Packing Guide for Dry Tortugas

Figuring out what to pack for your visit to Dry Tortugas may seem difficult, but if you’re only going on a day trip then it’s really not complicated. You’ll want to check the weather, pack swimming gear, and plenty of sun protection!

If you are taking the ferry, then they provide you with food. But, you can bring extra snacks and water just to be sure you have what you need.

Day Trip Packing Guide Dry Tortugas

• Swimsuit for snorkeling
• Quick dry towel
• Reef Safe Sunscreen
• Hat to cover the sun
• Polarized Sunglasses
• Dry change of clothes
• Tevas or shoes for walking around
• Books, games, or headphones for the Ferry
• Extra Food & Water
• America the Beautiful Pass

Things to Do in Dry Tortugas

Tour the Fort

Once you’re in Dry Tortugas National Park there are plenty of things to do on the islands. My suggestion is that you start by walking around the Fort.

If you take the ferry, they provide a tour right away, which we found really fascinating. Other visitors can read the signs or download tour info before you get to the island (there is no service on the islands).

Snorkel

After you’ve had your fill of history, you can take a lunch break or dive into the bright blue waters. The ferry operators provide snorkels 🤿 and fins for their guests to explore the sea life below the water.

You should make sure to swim around the moat and also explore around the old coal docks. We saw plenty of fish, beautiful coral, bright anemones, and even a barracuda! It was such a fun way to spend a few hours.

Bird Watch

One of the other main attractions of the islands are the wonderful bird life you can see on them. There is an island in the park that is home to the only US nesting grounds for the magnificent frigate birds. Other birds that you may see on the island include terns, boobys, and noddys. Walk along the island’s edge to see these birds in action.

Camping

If you’re camping there, you’ll be able to spend a lot of time relaxing and enjoying the island. You can have some time for sunbathing and chilling on the beach. Also, you can watch both the sunrise and sunset over the bright turquoise waters or go stargazing at night on the remote island.

I wish we had camped there, because it seems like one of the most unique experiences you can have. I highly suggest you stay overnight. Just note, that you have to pack in and pack out everything you bring. You’ll need to be prepared to camp on an island with no amenities and remember to Leave No Trace.

Things to Know About Camping at Dry Tortugas:

• Camping is first-come, first-served and each site holds up to 6 people. You will pay the $15 a night fee at Garden Key.
• There are composting toilets on site. But there are no showers or cell service on the island.
• All items must be packed in and packed out! You will need to bring everything you need including a tent, food, fresh water, and fuel.
• Wood fires are not allowed.

Where to Stay in Key West

Most people that are taking a day trip or traveling to Dry Tortugas will stay in Key West. This town is incredibly fun with a lively restaurant scene and tons to do! There are family-friendly budget options as well as high end resorts. So, you’ll have to pick and choose what you like.

Best Lodging in Key West

• The Capitana Key West
• Marker Key West Harbor Resort
• Courtyard Marriott Key West
• Ocean Key Resort

Final Tips For Visiting Dry Tortugas

Visiting Dry Tortugas was one of the most unique experiences and special parks. However, it does require advanced planning. So, make sure to book things early. If you love to camp, then this is the place to do it! Read the regulations and pack everything you need! We loved our experience and would go back again in a heartbeat!

Was this Guide to Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park helpful?Let me know in the comments!