Editor's Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure.
Wide-open spaces are the name of the game in today's pandemic-ravaged tourism landscape, which is why travelers all over the U. Enter Dry Tortugas National Park , one of just three designated national parks in Florida — and one of the most remote in the entire U. National Park System. Dry Tortugas National Park comprises a cluster of seven small islands, but most of the square-mile park is water — mesmerizingly blue, crystal-clear water worthy of the wildest tropical dreams.
Beyond the breathtaking water, the beauty of Dry Tortugas National Park can be found in its unique natural features think: coral reefs, sandy shoals, sea life, and lots of birds.
Another main attraction here is historic Fort Jefferson , located on acre Garden Key, the second-largest island in the Dry Tortugas. Still, Fort Jefferson was never attacked, successfully fulfilling its role as an intimidating warning to enemy forces.
This is why a day trip is the most popular way to experience the Dry Tortugas. For overnight campers, composting toilets are available from 3 p. Most visitors opt to take the two-hour round-trip ferry from Key West. A trip on the Yankee Freedom ferry , which boards at a. There are also frozen drinks available for purchase, in case you want to kick back with a rum runner.
Here are some of our suggestions on what to bring to make your trip memorable! The ride on the Yankee Freedom usually takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. You will have a little over four hours to explore and enjoy Fort Jefferson and the beaches of the Dry Tortugas. What is the cancellation policy? Are refunds given if there is inclement weather? Details on rescheduling can be found here. Trips are not cancelled due to rain. The captain may cancel the trip or issue a warning if he feels the conditions are too rough.
Yankee Freedom passengers have the option of joining a minute guided tour of the fort led by one of our expert naturalists. Due to time constraints, Ferry and seaplane day visitors will not have time to visit Loggerhead Key. To visit other areas of the park you must have your own mode of transportation and file a free boat permit with the park when you arrive. Bringing your own boat to the Dry Tortugas National Park will provide you with the most opportunities to explore this remarkable national treasure.
If you plan on camping consider bringing a kayak or canoe. This will provide you with access to other areas of the park such as Loggerhead Key and great snorkeling sites. If you plan to take the Yankee Freedom Ferry, all camping plans including bringing a kayak must be coordinated through the ferry. Depending on how you plan to visit Dry Tortugas National Park you may be required to obtain a permit. The following links provide additional information about the required permits at the park.
Boat Permits are required for all private boaters recreating in the park. Obtain a free boat permit at Park Headquarters on Garden Key. This must be done before recreating within the park i. Special Use Permits are required for special events such as weddings, first-amendment activities, privately owned not for hire seaplanes, meetings, group activities of 20 or more and non-profit organization activities, require special use permits.
The National Park Service does not take camping reservations for individual campsites. Designated campsites are on a first come first served basis with an overflow area available if needed. We do not turn away any campers when they arrive at Garden Key.
Parties of 10 or more wishing to reserve the group campsite are required to coordinate in advance. Ferry passengers wishing to camp at Dry Tortugas National Park must coordinate and book their camping through the Yankee Freedom Ferry. The Ferry has a limited number of campers they can carry daily, so book early. The seaplane concessionaire will not transport camping gear. Boat permits are now required for all vessels in the park, including within the RNA.
The only vessels exempt from this rule are those transiting the area without interruption. Vessels may only anchor overnight on sandy bottom within one nautical mile of the Garden Key Harbor Light. Within the RNA, vessels may use one of seven recreational mooring buoys for day use only. See information below on how to obtain a permit and how to use a Dry Tortugas mooring buoy.
They also allow park staff to provide reliable information to the public about appropriate RNA visitation, provide park managers with reliable information about public use, increase the safety of the boating public by providing increased staff contact, and assist in monitoring recreational mooring buoy use to evaluate carrying capacity.
Boating permits are required for all recreational vessels including kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies, vessels operating under a Commercial Use Authorization CUA , and commercial fishing vessels. Vessels greater than 50 meters are required to obtain a Special Use Authorization in addition to the boating permit.
Please contact Dry Tortugas National Park for more information. NOTE: A permit is not necessary for vessels merely transiting through the park. Visitors will receive information about park rules and regulations, as well as information about things to do at the park.
To secure your boat to the mooring, run your line from a cleat on your boat through the loop in the end of the mooring pick up line and back to a cleat on your boat. Use sufficient scope rope length to minimize pull on the anchor. Rule of thumb, if the buoy is being pulled underwater increase the scope.
If there is an upward pull on the mooring, increase the scope. Sailboats should not leave sails up when they are tied to a mooring. You are responsible for your vessel, inspecting the buoy, and checking that the buoy is holding as intended. Report any problems to NPS staff. It is recommended to leave someone on the vessel at all times. The mooring is designed to hold up to a foot recreational vessel.
It is intended to be used when weather and sea conditions are appropriate for the intended recreational use such as diving or snorkeling. It is not intended for use in all weather and sea conditions nor as a long-term mooring. It is not intended for use in all weather and sea conditions nor as a long term mooring.
Portions of the ship at the surface with depths down to 21 feet. Please refer to the Windjammer brochure for more information.
Offramp: N 24 Depths 25 feet and shallower. Depth feet. Depths from feet. Large crevices, caves, swim-through, cracks, pinnacles and lots of vertical relief. Look for the giant anchor. Additional dive and snorkel sites can be found around the park that do not have mooring balls. Please consult with a Ranger for more information. For those of you who have pets that are part of the family and travel with you — you can bring them with you to Dry Tortugas National Park.
The Dry Tortugas National Park has much to offer. To reach this remote ocean wilderness one must travel by boat or plane over 68 miles of open sea.
Visiting such an isolated place means that you need to be prepared, not only for rough seas, but for primitive conditions. There are no public phones, restrooms or snack bars. Make sure you bring anything that you may need, such as protective clothing, sunscreen, or medication especially for motion sickness. You will not be able to purchase these items in the park.
A designated snorkel area is located near the campground. Snorkeling along the outside of the moat wall or around the pilings of the south coaling dock is recommended. Before snorkeling, make sure that all equipment fits properly. There are no guards on duty, so swim at your own risk. No swimming or snorkeling is permitted inside the moat. An approved dive flag must be displayed at all times when snorkeling outside of the designated snorkel area. Never stand on coral or seagrass, as standing can kill these valuable resources.
Shipwrecks and all historic artifacts are protected by law.
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