Intro
Having a packing list for your visit to Dry Tortuga’s National Park is a must. While navigating this isolated fortress is not difficult, it is still very important that you are prepared. You are in the middle of the ocean which means you are far from any medical care. One of the tour guides on the Yankee Freedom actually mentioned to us all on the ferry that it would be a $50,000 helicopter ride if you got injured and required any emergency assistance. Big yikes! Thankfully no one in my tour group needed the expensive ride and I highly doubt you will either. But it is still worth noting the seriousness of visiting the Dry Tortuga’s.
Because you are so isolated, anything that you might forget will likely not be available for purchase. While there are some snacks and beverages available if you chose to take the ferry, you wouldn’t want to forget important items like prescription medication, sunscreen, a small first aid kit and things like that. Hence why a packing list is so necessary! I can’t tell you how many times I went over my things before the plane ride to Florida. And then going over my things again in my backpack right before I left for the Dry Tortuga’s to make sure I had what I needed. Writing a list was actually very helpful for me to make sure I wouldn’t forget my important items (for me, it was sunscreen and electrolytes).
Due to the unique remoteness of this national park, I wanted to share with you a packing list that I made for myself. It helped me remember to pack all of the things I would need to be comfortable during my trip. After all, the Dry Tortuga’s is a fantastic place to learn some history while also enjoying the warm, bright blue water of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you’re crossing a national park off of your list or you are looking for a fun activity to do in Key West, taking a day trip out to the Tortuga’s definitely does not disappoint. And you certainly don’t want your trip to be dampened because you forgot sunscreen, a water bottle or even a swimsuit. So below I’ve recreated my packing list for your visit to the Dry Tortuga’s completely free for you!
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Table of contents
Free Packing List For Visiting Dry Tortuga’s National Park in 2025:
- A backpack
- A water bladder: This is really convenient because it allows you to bring a lot of water without having to carry multiple water bottles and believe me, if you’re visiting in the summer you will need a ton of water.
- Water bottle: You seriously can’t go wrong without bringing too much water.
- Snacks (You could also purchase some on the boat if you prefer, but you are allowed to bring your own food).
- Liquid IV’s/Electrolytes
- Compact towel
- Swimsuit
- A rash guard
- Fresh clothes for after swimming/snorkeling
- Sturdy walking shoes for the fort and/or something comfortable for being on the beach. I brought my Tevas which I highly recommend.
- Snorkel gear: You can sign a waiver if you’re taking the Yankee Freedom and check out snorkel gear through them.
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen (Apply lots of it!)
- Aloe vera
- Chapstick
- Ibuprofen/Tylenol/Motrin
- First aid kit
- Bug spray
- Vinegar (it’s for jellyfish stings)
- Camera (if you don’t use your phone)
- Cash for souvenirs for the visitor center inside Fort Jefferson
Now you obviously know yourself best. So if you see something that you know for sure you wouldn’t bring then that’s totally okay. If you don’t see something that you know you will need to bring with you, then write it down so you don’t forget. It’s better to be over prepared than to be miserable your entire trip because you forgot half the things you need. When it comes to visiting a place such as the Dry Tortuga’s, preparedness is key!
Camping in Dry Tortuga’s National Park
If you’re thinking of extending your visit to the Dry Tortuga’s for more than just a day, then I’d highly recommend looking into arranging a camping trip! While I haven’t been able to camp there myself, it is an experience I certainly think about often and would really love the opportunity to return and do it. There is additional planning and organizing that would go into scheduling a camping trip like this. You’ll want to the visit the National Park Service’s website and view their camping page for the Dry Tortuga’s which you can look at here for more information.
You also want to keep in mind your transportation and how you plan to arrive there. When visiting the Dry Tortuga’s, you can only get there by boat or seaplane. So if you plan on taking the Yankee Freedom ferry, you will also want to visit their site on how to help you arrange your camping trip. They do have some regulations on what can and cannot be brought onto the boat. So it is important that you read carefully and when in doubt, ask questions. You can read more about the Yankee Freedom ferry’s camping guidelines here.
Conclusion
By now, you should have a good sense of what you need to prepare for a day trip to Dry Tortuga’s National Park. Remember to add any things that you didn’t see on this list so you don’t forget to pack them. When getting ready for this trip, you will want to feel prepared with everything you will need. Why? So you can have fun! Visiting the Dry Tortuga’s is an incredible experience and by having your packing list handy, you will be sure to grab all your necessities to really make the most of this trip.
