Intro
The Dry Tortugas National Park is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean around 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. This was an incredible experience to go there. I want to lay out everything you’d need to know to visit so that you can make the most out of your trip!
Table of contents
Getting There
There are only two ways to get to Dry Tortugas National Park: by boat or by seaplane. There is only one permitted seaplane service for taking visitors to the Dry Tortugas, Key West Seaplane Charters. This service costs between $451 and $792 for adults depending if you do a half day or a full day. If you take a boat, the Yankee Freedom is the authorized concessioner for this park. And at only $220, taking the Yankee Freedom from Key West really is the most affordable option. Private boats are allowed. If you’re lucky to know someone who could take you to the Dry Tortugas from Key West, then great! I chose to take the Yankee Freedom and I had a great experience and would easily do it again.
What to Expect on the Yankee Freedom
You will be asked for the reservation name upon check in which is located upstairs of the ferry terminal. There is lots of signage when you arrive so you should not get lost. There is a parking garage for you to park your car located across the street from the ferry terminal. I opted to take a Lyft since I was already staying in Key West. Before departing, the tour guides go over the rules of the boat and explain how you will board. There’s an optional waiver you can sign which lets you check out snorkel gear and floaties for when you arrive.
Complimentary breakfast and lunch are served as part of your expensive ticket purchase (although not as bad as the seaplane). Breakfast was a plain bagel with cream cheese and there were juice options as well as yogurt, fruit cups and coffee. For lunch, they served Jersey Mikes! They were also accommodating towards food allergies; they had a gluten free bread option and you’re able to ask for no cheese if you can’t have dairy. They had a vegetarian/vegan lunch option as well. Of course, you’re able to bring all the snacks and drinks you can carry with you so if you have any severe food allergies, make sure to take lots of food with you. There are additional snacks and drinks you can purchase onboard the boat.
Arriving at Dry Tortugas National Park
Once you arrive, you will exit the dock. From there, you’re able to turn left towards South Beach, turn right towards North Beach or go straight ahead towards Ft. Jefferson. You may choose to follow the guided tour of Ft. Jefferson or walk around at your own leisure. The tour is completely optional so you don’t have to take it if you’re eager to jump into the water. The guided tour is also available for download via QR code before you depart.
*Note*
Before I left, I had a friend tell me she knew someone who said the tour was better than the snorkeling. I thought “What?! Is this person crazy?” and I opted out of the guided tour so I could hop right into the water. Well it turns out that they were right. The snorkeling isn’t as exciting compared to other places (like Trunk Bay in the USVI National Park) and I do wish I had taken the guided tour. Everyone is different, but it’s something to consider.
Where To Go
As for the two beaches, they are both ideal for swimming and snorkeling. On the ferry ride, I had the unique opportunity to speak with a park ranger and his wife about the Dry Tortugas. She told me once we get off the boat, take a right towards North Beach because it is less crowded. She was right. If you’re looking for less of a crowd and to have some space from the other tourists, you will want to take a right once you exit the ferry and leave the dock. If you prefer the crowds for fear of sharks (and crocodiles – yep, they swim that far) then South Beach is just fine. North Beach is more sandy whereas the South Beach is basically a bunch of crushed up seashells. It’s quite beautiful to look at, although you want to be careful to not get them stuck in your shoes.
Staying Comfortable
There are restrooms on sight at the Tortugas, but I was picking up that the Yankee Freedom staff would prefer you to use the restrooms on the boat. There are also changing stalls at the Tortugas but there are only two for each sex. And there are quite a lot of people who join on this excursion. So before departing, either give yourself time to dry and put your clothes over your swimsuit, or prepare to wait in the heat for a chance to get into one of the changing stalls. If you give yourself some extra time by changing early before everyone else starts to gather, then you’ll have a better chance of not waiting as long.
There is a visitor center inside the fort that has gifts/ souvenirs you can buy as well as maps and some historical artifacts from the fort. It also has AC as well as onboard the Yankee Freedom which is such a blessing after being in the heat for several hours.
Things To Keep In Mind
Time:
Time flies by when you’re at the Tortugas. It certainly does not feel like there is enough time to explore. Even though they will not leave without you, you still want to be mindful of the time and to come back when the staff ask you to be back by. Plus, the earlier you get on the boat, the more seating options there will be for you to sit and the line for concessions won’t be as long. Ice cold smoothies really hit the spot!
Surroundings:
While most people visit the Dry Tortugas, have a lovely time and leave unharmed, things can still happen. Be aware of your surroundings as you snorkel. While it is uncommon to see them, sharks are around and a woman was actually attacked in January of 2022 while snorkeling. You also want to be mindful of the moat wall and how far out you snorkel. There are also a lot of loose bricks that are laying around the beaches and throughout the fort. When you are on the top of Fort Jefferson, there are no fences or anything to prevent a fall from happening and some parts of the fort actually get pretty dark, especially the staircases, so just watch your step as you explore the fort and consider using your flash when needed.
The Heat/Hydration:
This might not apply much in the winter months but in the summer, it’s no joke. When I was there in late July, the temperature of the water was just as hot as the temperature of the air, meaning I could not cool down. I expended a lot of energy snorkeling and walking around the fort. I was beginning to show signs of a heat stroke. My partner whisked me back into the glorious boat AC and gave me, you guessed it, an ice cold smoothie. After a while I was able to cool myself down. With that being said, don’t always expect the ocean to cool you off. Even if the temperatures don’t bother you, you are still burning energy when swimming/snorkeling. Bring/drink lots of water. Bring electrolytes to keep you hydrated and if you’re going in the summer, bring kool ties to keep you cool.
Conclusion
Taking extra precautions just helps ensure that everyone has a good time. If you’re wondering what to pack, take a look at my packing list on what to bring on your epic journey to Dry Tortugas National Park. I hope this guide was helpful and that you have a blast on your trip!
