My trip to the Dry Tortugas started early in the morning. The sound of roosters crowing reminded me just how early it was. I drove to the port and parked in the city parking garage on Grinnell Street which cost forty dollars per day at the time of my visit. Parking in the Keys can be tight so having a nearby garage was helpful.

Check in at the Key West Ferry Terminal was simple. The building sits along the waterfront with large windows and benches where people wait before boarding. Rangers and ferry staff were helping passengers line up while carts of supplies moved toward the dock. There were families with day packs and a separate group of campers loading coolers water jugs and camping gear onto the boat since there are no services on the island.

Once on board the ride out was calm and clear. Walking through Fort Jefferson gives a better sense of how large the structure is. The brick walls stretch in every direction and the open hallways stay cooler than the outside heat. There are only a small number of people on the island at any given time which makes the visit feel peaceful compared to many other parks. I picked up my passport stamp inside the fort at the small gift shop.

About the Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote island park located about seventy miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico. The park includes seven small islands surrounded by clear water coral reefs and marine life. Garden Key is the main island and home to Fort Jefferson a large nineteenth century coastal fortress built from millions of bricks. Because the islands have no fresh water and no developed facilities a visit feels different from most other parks.

The surrounding water is known for snorkeling diving and bird nesting sites. Sea turtles are often seen in the area and several shipwrecks sit offshore. The name Dry Tortugas comes from early Spanish explorers who noted the abundance of turtles and the lack of fresh water on the islands.

Visitor Center and Address

There is no visitor center on the islands. The National Park Service has a small information booth inside Fort Jefferson where you can talk with rangers and pick up materials when available. Passport stamps are available at the small gift shop inside the fort and also at the Key West Ferry Terminal before departure.

Key West Ferry Terminal

100 Grinnell Street

Key West FL 33040

https://www.nps.gov/drto

Entrance Fees

The standard national park entrance fee is included in the price of the ferry or seaplane ticket. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass you can bring it for a discount on the ferry fare. There is no separate fee collected on the island.

Getting There

Dry Tortugas is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Most visitors take the Yankee Freedom Ferry which is a high speed catamaran that departs from the Key West Ferry Terminal.

Yankee Freedom Ferry

https://www.drytortugas.com

• About two and a half hours each way

• Adult fare is about two hundred ninety five dollars

• Includes the park entrance fee snorkeling gear a light breakfast and lunch

• Day trip gives about four and a half hours on Garden Key

(arrival is usually around 10:30 AM and departure around 3 PM)

The seaplane is faster and more expensive with half day and full day options. Because the park has a strict daily capacity limit reservations can book out months in advance during busy travel periods.

Best Things to See and Do

Fort Jefferson

The main landmark on Garden Key is Fort Jefferson. Visitors can walk through brick corridors climb stairways to the top level and look out across the moat and clear water.

Snorkeling

The shallow areas near the moat wall and beaches are popular for seeing fish coral and sea grass. You can bring your own gear or use the equipment provided on the ferry. Visibility changes with weather and tide conditions.

Birding

The park is a major nesting site for seabirds especially on nearby Bush Key which often closes seasonally to protect wildlife.

Beaches and Swimming

The small sandy areas around Garden Key are good for swimming and relaxing between exploring the fort.

Accessibility

The ferry drops passengers directly at the dock beside Fort Jefferson. The lower level of the fort and the surrounding walkways are mostly flat though surfaces are uneven in some areas. The upper levels of the fort are only accessible by stairs. There are no paved paths and very limited shade beyond the interior of the fort.

There are no restrooms on the island. Passengers can return to the ferry at any time during the visit to use the bathrooms which stay open while the boat is docked.

Camping and Lodging

There are no hotels in the park. Limited camping is available on Garden Key with advance permits through the ferry company. Campsites are primitive and require visitors to bring food water and supplies. There is no running water and no electricity. Most campers stay one or two nights because space is very limited. Bush Key and Loggerhead Key are not open for camping.

Notable Tips

• Bring everything you need for the day including sunscreen water snacks and personal items

• Cell service is unreliable or nonexistent

• Weather can change quickly and may affect snorkeling conditions

• Shoes are recommended inside the fort due to uneven brick surfaces

• Bush Key often closes seasonally for nesting

• If your priority is photography light is best early before the sun gets harsh

#4 Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida