Dry Tortugas National Park

Discover Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park sits 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of America’s most remote parks. Ponce de Leon found these seven small coral islands in 1513, and today they’re home to Fort Jefferson, the largest brick building in America.

The park covers 100 square miles of clear waters and rich marine life, with an incredible history as both a Civil War prison and a key shipping route guard post. Since you can only reach it by boat or seaplane, the park sees just about 80,000 visitors each year, far fewer than most national parks.

How to Get to the Park

You’ll need to take either a ferry or seaplane from Key West to reach Dry Tortugas. The ferry ride takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes and comes with breakfast, lunch, and snorkeling gear, but you should book your spot two months early, especially if you’re visiting between December and April.

Seaplanes make the trip in 40 minutes and give you amazing views from above, though they cost more and limit how much you can bring. While the park stays open all year, bad weather can change or cancel trips, particularly during storms.

What to Pack for Your Visit

You won’t find any stores on the islands except for the visitor’s center so it would be best to bring everything with you. Make sure to pack enough drinking water, as the park’s water isn’t safe to drink, plus sunscreen, a hat, and shoes that can get wet. Bring a camera and binoculars if you want to watch birds, and don’t forget cash for park fees.

If you’re planning to camp, pack carefully – you’ll carry everything in and out yourself. Consider bringing medicine for motion sickness if you’re taking the boat, and pack extra snacks since food options are limited.

Best Times to Visit the Park

Each season here offers something different for visitors. Winter brings cooler weather and clear water but also more people, while spring is perfect for watching migrating birds.

Summer has the best underwater visibility but comes with strong heat and afternoon storms.Fall is less crowded but might have hurricanes. Early mornings work best for taking photos and seeing wildlife.

Most people spend hours here when they take the ferry, but camping overnight lets you see much more.

Where to Find the Best Snorkeling Spots

The clear waters around Fort Jefferson offer some of Florida’s best snorkeling views. You can see lots of colorful fish right along the fort’s moat wall, which is perfect for beginners.

Little Africa Reef shows off unique coral shapes and often has sea turtles swimming by. If you’re good at snorkeling, you can explore an old shipwreck called the Windjammer just 20 feet below.

What You Can See Inside Fort Jefferson

Fort Jefferson is huge – it took more than 16 million bricks to build this six-sided fort. As you walk through, you’ll see rooms that held guns and cannons, places where officers lived, and prison cells, including the famous one where Dr. Samuel Mudd stayed after helping John Wilkes Booth.

The fort had clever features like systems to collect rain and keep air flowing. When you climb to the top, you get amazing views of the whole park. The fort’s thick walls block strong winds and make great spots to watch the sunset.

Guide to Camping in the Park

You can camp near Fort Jefferson on Garden Key, but you’ll need to get permission ahead of time and there isn’t much space. Every camper must bring their own supplies, including plenty of fresh water.

Camping here lets you see beautiful sunrises and sunsets, watch sea creatures at night, and see stars without city lights getting in the way. You’ll find basic toilets but no showers or electricity. Weather can change quickly, so bring gear for different conditions.

When and Where to See Wildlife

Many animals call these islands home, and even more stop here during their migrations. Almost 300 kinds of birds have been seen in the park, and sea turtles lay eggs on the beaches from April to October. In the water, you might see sharks, rays, and lots of bright reef fish.

The coral reefs support many different sea creatures worth watching. Look for frigate birds flying above and sea turtles eating in the shallow grass beds. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to spot wildlife.

Rules That Protect the Park

Strong rules keep the park in good condition for future visitors. The law protects all old objects and natural features, and everyone must pack out their trash. You can’t take coral or shells, even small pieces.

If you want to fish, you need proper permits and must follow special rules. No one can fly drones without special permission. Park rangers keep watch to make sure these irreplaceable resources stay safe.

How Weather Affects Your Visit

The weather here can change quickly in this subtropical climate. Summer days often reach 90 degrees with high humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through September.

Winter is milder but sometimes has rough seas. Hurricanes can affect visits from June to November. The sun feels extra strong here because it reflects off the water. Always check the forecast before your trip, as weather can change park activities with little warning.

Tips for Taking Great Photos

The light at sunrise and sunset makes Fort Jefferson’s old walls look amazing in photos. You can take excellent underwater pictures in the clear waters around the fort. Many photographers focus on the seabirds flying overhead and sea life swimming below.

The different levels of the fort give you good angles for photos of the surrounding water and islands. Bring cameras that can go underwater for snorkeling and wide-angle lenses for taking pictures of the landscape.

Medical Care and Safety Information

You won’t find any regular medical facilities on the islands. If someone gets seriously hurt, they must travel all the way back to Key West for help. Staff members can help with basic first aid, but bigger injuries mean a long trip back to the mainland.

Cell phones often don’t work here. Bring any medicine you might need and know your physical limits, since the heat and sun can be intense.

History of the Islands and Fort

The islands played a key role in shipping and military defense over the centuries. Spanish explorers, pirates, soldiers, and prisoners all left their mark on this place. It took many years to build the fort, and its design shows how military buildings changed over time.

Old objects found throughout the park show that people have lived here for hundreds of years. The park’s collection includes thousands of items that tell stories about military life, the prison, and how technology changed over time.