70 miles off Key West, in an isolated part of the Gulf of Mexico lies Dry Tortugas National Park. An island that holds a beautifully preserved 19th-century brick fort. Only accessible by boat or seaplane, explore the sandy beaches, walk the fortress moat, or snorkel in the colorful coral reefs. Start planning your day trip to Dry Tortugas with the help of this National Park travel guide!
Where To Find It
Around 70 miles west of Key West Florida, lies a group of 7 islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park. Composed of sand, coral, bird and marine life, and some shipwrecks. First named Las Tortugas in 1513, by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, the reef soon was renamed Dry Tortugas; to show they offered no fresh water.
The Dry Tortugas are only accessible by boat or seaplane. Unless you decide to charter a boat of your own the Yankee Freedom is the only ferry service to Dry Tortugas. (The National Park entrance fee is included in your ticket price). I do recommend packing a bag with the essentials: snacks, water, playing cards (for the ride over), beach towel, snorkeling gear, swimsuit, and if necessary a change of clothes. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and your camera!
Yankee Freedom III
The ferry ride over is about 2 hours, and the last 45 minutes is when you will feel the most movement. (Due to being in a channel with deeper water). The Yankee Freedom has restrooms, and a galley to purchase food and drinks. It offers covered seating above and below the deck. As well as outside viewing areas.
If you are worried about the weather, Yankee Freedom rarely cancels. When Sam and I visited, there was a 90% chance of a rainstorm and they did not cancel. We experienced 8-10 foot waves and about 50% of the passengers got seasick. It was not the most ideal situation, but once we got to the islands, the clouds lifted and it turned into a beautiful day to explore the island!
If you are prone to seasickness, the best seat is in the middle. You will feel less motion here (specifically on the lower deck). If you do start to feel queasy, keep your eyes fixed on the horizon. Here are a few extra tips:
Take Medicine
The first action I like to do before any trip is to take medicine. I typically take Dramamine. If you forget yours, Yankee Freedom offers some for $1 before boarding.
Drink Ginger Ale
If you start to feel ill, I recommend asking for a ginger ale. The crew will gladly provide you with a drink, free of charge. The carbonation and ginger taste has a soothing effect on your stomach.
Bring Bags
The crew will provide you with plenty of bags if nausea and vomiting do happen. They do not recommend you sit in the restroom if you are feeling ill, as there is limited airflow. They are quick to attend to you and will get rid of the bag right away.
Where To Stay
It is possible to camp at the Garden Key in Dry Tortugas. It is an incredible experience with amazing star gazing, snorkeling, and sunsets! But you must be prepared to camp in this remote location. Keep in mind there is only a composting toilet, no showers, and no wifi or cell service on the island.
Other accommodation options are to stay in Key West (hotels and Airbnb alike can be expensive), Homestead (a 3-hour drive), or Miami (a 3 1/2-hour drive).
Where To Eat
There are no restaurants, shops, or any other services that offer food or water on the islands of Dry Tortugas National Park. The Yankee Freedom provides breakfast (a bagel with cream cheese) and lunch (Jersey Mikes Subs). They also offer other selections of food and drinks to be purchased at the galley. (The bar opens up in the afternoon for alcoholic beverages). But bring extra food and drinks for yourself to make the day as comfortable as possible.
Climate and Best Time To Go
The Dry Tortugas experience two seasons; winter and summer. Regardless of the time of year, you choose to visit the park, please check the weather before you go.
Winter Season – November and through April.
During the winter months, there are strong cold fronts from the North and West that generate large swells and windy conditions. High winds and rough seas are not uncommon. Be prepared for a bumpy ride over and poor visibility for snorkeling. The positive side is cooler weather (the mid-60s to mid-70s) and fewer crowds.
Summer Season – May and through October.
Weather conditions in the summer are ideal, with little to no wind, and excellent visibility for snorkeling and viewing marine life. But keep an eye out on the weather, during the hurricane season. Hurricanes can have a lasting effect on the park even if there is no direct impact.
Bucket List Activities
The most popular attraction on the island is Fort Jefferson, on Garden Key. Construction began in 1846 and was used during the Civil War, but it was never finished.
The Yankee Freedom does provide a short tour at 11 am or a longer walking tour immediately after. Learn all about the fascinating history of the island as well as how it is used now.
There are tons of snorkeling opportunities around Garden Key. Bring your own or sign up to use the Ferry’s gear. Explore the coral and marine life in the Fort Moat, Coal Pier Pilings, or the Little Africa Reef.
Instagram Worthy Spots
There are stunning locations all along Dry Tortugas, just perfect for your Instagram. Climb to the top of Fort Jefferson for some epic views and photo shoots of the island and surrounding water!
Walk along the beach of Bush Key for those gorgeous nautical photos or catch one of the nesting birds off Long Key.
Bonus Travel Tips
Hat and Sunglasses- these will keep the sun off your face and out of your eyes. Making your outdoor adventures must more enjoyable. Here is the hat I wore on our Florida trip!
Bring Sunscreen – no one likes to get sunburned on their weekend getaways. Apply sunscreen in the morning and be sure to reapply if needed. This is my favorite kind.
Apply Aloe – in case you do miss a spot with your sunscreen bring aloe to soothe those burns.
Thank you for reading!
If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!
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