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Published: 9/17/24
What To Know About A Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip
A day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park is an absolute must for every Key West visitor.
That’s right – the best thing to do in Key West is actually 70 miles west of the Florida Keys in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico.
Accessible only by boat or float plane, Dry Tortugas is truly a United States National Park experience you’ll never forget. We took the ferry to Dry Tortugas in December 2023 and even with rocking and rolling seas, it was the absolute highlight of our vacation.
In this post, I’m sharing my tips for visiting Dry Tortugas National Park including how to get there, when to book your tickets, what to see, and what to pack. If you’re pondering a trip to Dry Tortugas, I’ll answer all your questions so you can get down to the business of planning your National Park adventure in Florida.
Why Day Trip to the Dry Tortugas off the Florida Keys
• One of the most remote parks in the United States National Park System
• Located 70 miles west of Key West in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, getting there is half of the appeal. Whether you travel by boat, ferry, or seaplane, you’re in for a beautiful journey.
• See the largest brick building in the United States
• Excellent bird watching during migration season
• Snorkel trail around Fort Jefferson and complimentary snorkel gear provided with your ferry day trip
• Limited daily visitors
What are the Dry Tortugas?
The Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote parks in the United States’ national park system. Made up of seven small islands sitting about 70 miles due west from the tip of Key West, this 100 square mile park is mostly water.
If you don’t have a boat of your own, the only way to reach the park is by the daily Yankee Freedom III ferry or Key West Seaplanes Adventures. The most commonly visited islands at Dry Tortugas are Garden, Bush, and Loggerhead Keys.
Both the ferry and planes deliver guests to Garden Key – home to the massive Fort Jefferson. If you’re only in the park for a day (and don’t have a boat) your Dry Tortugas experience will basically be Garden Key.
The islands were originally discovered by the Spanish explorer Ponce de León. He named them for the sea turtles who like the calm, shallow waters surrounding the islands. The word “dry” was later added to inform sailors that there’s no potable water on the islands. Because the islands sit in quite shallow water, they’ve long been a safe shelter for boats during bad weather and high seas.
In many ways the Dry Tortugas feel like a textbook definition of “desert island.” However, the islands provide critical wildlife habitat for birds, such as booby, sooty terns, and brown noddies. The Dry Tortugas are also celebrated for their great beaches and snorkeling.
What To Do at Dry Tortugas National Park
Be there
By far the biggest draw to the Dry Tortugas is their mere existence. I would say at least half the folks on our ferry were visiting simply so they could get a stamp in their National Park Passport book. If you like boat rides and enjoying visiting places that many people haven’t even heard of, Dry Tortugas National Park is the place for you.
In my opinion it’s the best Key West day trip. Not only will you get a beautiful boat ride or flight in the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll also be just one of about 80,000 annual visitors to park. (In comparison, about 4.5 million folks visit Yellowstone each year!)
Visit Fort Jefferson
If you’ve seen any photos from Dry Tortugas, you’ve probably noticed an enormous brick fort in most of the photos. Antiquated almost from the moment the first brick was laid, Fort Jefferson was part of the 19th century U.S. military’s defense plan. (You’ll find three more brick forts on Key West alone.) The fort basically covers Garden Key.
There’s absolutely no reason why any enemy ship would choose to sail close enough to the fort to be attacked. (The calm waters of the Dry Tortugas extend 8 miles into the Gulf – a far greater distance than the range of fort’s artillery.) You can’t help but wonder why the United States – in the middle of the Civil War – invested so much time and money into this project.
Happily for us, it’s very photogenic!
It’s actually the largest brick structure in America, using about 30 million bricks. We had fun tromping around through it and reading the various informational panels. Dr. Mudd, one of individuals charged in President Lincoln’s assassination plot, was jailed here for about two years. Other points of interest include their rainwater collection system and the lighthouse.
Camp
If you want to have the unique experience of enjoying the Dry Tortugas after the daily ferry and plane tourists have left, you can camp overnight on Garden Key. With just a handful of National Park Service staff members and volunteers on Garden Key every day, it will be a peaceful, remote experience with excellent stargazing and the luxury of having a couple islands to yourself.
Snorkel
The shallow waters around the Dry Tortugas are known for their excellent snorkeling. There’s even a snorkel trail that allows you to circumnavigate Garden Key in the water. If you take the ferry, snorkel gear is provided as part of your ferry ticket. I’m not much of a snorkeler, but even I was tempted by the snorkel trail.
Bird watch
If you’re a bird watcher, you’ll love the collection of sea and shore birds you can see in the Dry Tortugas.
Lounge on the beach
If you have some time to kill before the ferry departs, one of the Dry Tortugas’s beaches can provide a great place to sit on the beach and think about how big the world is and how very small you are.
Getting to the Dry Tortugas National Park
You have three ways to get to the Dry Tortugas: ferry, seaplane, or personal boat.
Ferry
By far the most economical option is to take the Yankee Freedom III Ferry from Key West to Dry Tortugas. This ferry operated by a private company under contract with the National Park Service runs between Key West and the Dry Tortugas every day. The boat sails at 8 a.m. and returns around 5:30 p.m.
With check-in at 7 a.m., this is a long day trip. You’ll get about 4 quality hours at the actual park paired with 5 hours of sailing. The cost is approximately $220 per person for a day trip. The day trip includes breakfast, lunch, complimentary snorkel gear, and a guided tour of Fort Jefferson.
Because of the federal contract, the ferry sails in pretty rough seas. The day we sailed to Dry Tortugas was actually an option day. Because of the 5-7’ seas we could have canceled up until the moment the boat took off and received a full refund. We popped a couple Dramamines and went for it! I’m so glad we did.
Seaplane
Assuming you don’t have your own boat, the only other option to reach Dry Tortugas is Key West Seaplane Adventures. Prices for seaplane rides to the Dry Tortugas start a $466 per person for a half day and $819 for a full day.
The biggest advantage the seaplane has over the ferry is that it allows you extra time at the park. For a full day adventure, you’ll spend about 6.5 hours at Dry Tortugas. If you’re visiting in the winter when seas are rougher, this is also the best option for those prone to seasickness.
I think for most people, cost definitely dictates which transportation method they use. I’m really glad we took the boat because it helped me realize how remote the Dry Tortugas are. However, next time I definitely want to fly in so I can see the approach from the sky.
One note: as authorized concessioners for the federal government, both Key West Seaplane Adventures and Yankee Freedom collect the entrance fees for Dry Tortugas National Park ($15 per person) in their rates.
What To Expect on the Ferry to Dry Tortugas
To start your day trip to the Dry Tortugas via the Yankee Freedom III ferry, you’ll start your day on the second level of the Key West Bight Ferry Terminal on the west end of the marina.
7 a.m.
After checking in at 7 a.m., we mostly sat around in the large terminal for about an hour. This is the perfect time to take your Dramamine. The ferry crew made a few safety and procedural announcements during this time. They also offered Dramamine doses for $1.
8 a.m.
We boarded the ferry and were given a bag breakfast of bagel with cream cheese, yogurt, and apple to eat during the 2.5 hour crossing to the national park. If seas are rough, I highly recommend waiting to eat this until you arrive at the park.
The crew talked a little bit about what we should expect to do and see at Dry Tortugas. As soon as we left the protection of the Marquesas Keys, they got very busy assisting seasick passengers.
10:30 a.m.
We arrived at Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park! It takes a minute to unload the ferry. Most people hover around the park’s main entrance at first, either waiting for snorkel equipment at the covered shelter on the dock or for the guided Fort Jefferson tour.
11 a.m.
One of the ferry crew staff members does a historical overview of the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson. We stayed for the half hour presentation in the fort’s courtyard, but splintered off to explore independently once the group started moving through the fort.
1 p.m.
Lunch service ceases at 1 p.m. Anytime between 11 and 1 p.m., you can pop up onto the ship to grab your bag lunch. We got a Jersey Mike’s sub of our choice, a bag of chips, and a can of pop (that’s soda to all of you non-Minnesotans). Some people complain about the ferry lunch, but it’s a great simple lunch and so nice that you don’t have to pack it yourself.
If lunch doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you could always pack your own. They also have other snacks, like chips and candy bars available to purchase, but nothing that would constitute a full meal.
One interesting thing is that while there are pit toilets on the island for campers, when the ferry is in port, you must use the bathrooms on the Yankee Freedom. If you think about it, it only makes sense that they want to get human waste off the island asap. I imagine it’s quite the production to pump those pit toilets!
After lunch – 2:45 p.m.
After you eat lunch, the rest of your time at Dry Tortugas is free time until you opt to board the ferry for the final time. When you decide you’re on the boat to stay, you must tell a crew member that you’re on board to stay. Final boarding is 2:45 p.m.
Honestly, time dragged a little after lunch. The weather started to turn and with the sea so stirred up from the wind, there wasn’t any snorkeling to be had. We wandered around the fort a little more, explored the beach on Bush Key, and then, like almost everyone on this particular ferry, opted to hop back aboard about 30 minutes before final boarding.
2:50 p.m.
The ferry takes off as soon as all passengers are abroad.
After spending the outbound sail on the lower deck where you experience the least boat motion, we decided to brave the upper outside deck for the return sail. Despite getting absolutely drenched with sea spray, it felt so good to be in the fresh air. If you’re not prone to seasickness, check it out!
There is cash bar service on the return sail. Although the seas had laid down a teensy bit, it seemed like an exercise in futility to try to procure and drink anything on the pitching boat.
5:30 p.m.
We were back at the Key West dock right at 5:30 p.m. After tipping the staff, it was time to find an early dinner and head to bed. It was a very full day!
What to Bring on a Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip
One of the biggest mistakes folks make when they head to the Dry Tortugas is bringing along too much stuff.
You’ll only be at the park for four hours and they feed you lunch, so there’s no reason to bring much. However, your time on the Dry Tortugas will be more comfortable if you bring the following items:
Backpack – Make your life easy by packing on what fits in a comfortable backpack. There are no lockers on the ferry or island and you can’t leave items on the boat while you’re docked. We were told we could leave stuff we didn’t want to carry on the dock, but no one in our group actually did that.
Dry clothes, swimsuit, towel, wet bag
Snacks – You can purchase snacks on board the ferry, but if you want something other than chips and candy, you might prefer to bring your own.
Reusable water bottle – There’s a water bottle filling station on the Yankee Freedom, so you can easily refill this throughout the day.
Dramamine – I always use the non-drowsy ginger Dramamine and it’s worked both for a bumpy boat ride in Kauai as well as this Gulf of Mexico day trip.
Cash for tips – The staff works so hard to make sure everyone is happy and comfortable during the trip. Don’t forget some cash so you can tip them as you disembark in Key West at the end of the day.
If you want more insight into packing for the Florida Keys, check out my complete Key West packing list.
My Best Tips For Your Day Trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
Book early
Just like with Milan, planning ahead it key. Between the ferry and sea planes, only a couple hundred people can visit Dry Tortugas daily. The ferry almost always sells out. I booked our ferry tickets about 5 months in advance and had no problem getting two tickets for mid-December.
Tickets are available starting about 9 months before the sailing date and if you’re planning to visit during the peak summer season, you’ll want to set a reminder on your phone and get your tickets booked as soon as they become available.
Be prepared to be seasick
I’m lucky enough to have never experienced seasickness before and I’ve been on some rough seas. (Here’s looking at you, Azores.) However, seasickness can strike at any time.
To increase your odds of not getting seasick, I recommend:
- Minimal to no alcohol the night before
- A small breakfast with only a small cup of coffee
- The recommended dose of Dramamine taken about 1 – 1.5 hours before setting sail
- Watching the horizon while sailing
Wear sunscreen and sun protection
There’s basically no shade on the Dry Tortugas. Wear clothing with SPF protection like a sun shirt and sun hat and remember to apply sunscreen frequently, especially if you’re getting in and out of the water.
Know you can’t see it all in one day or one season
As much as I’d like to lay out the perfect Dry Tortugas day for you here, the truth is you simply can’t see it all in just a handful of hours on Garden and Bush Key.
If you visit in the off-season like I did, you’ll likely experience high winds and a sea too churned up for snorkeling and fishing. However, you can tromp all over Fort Jefferson for some sweet views and photo ops.
On the flipside, if you get to experience the idyllic snorkeling and fishing of summer, you’ll probably find the fort too stifling to enjoy.
Bring your own snacks
If you want something other than chips or candy for sale on the boat as a snack, be sure to throw some favorite snacks into your backpack. Is it too extra to pack a slice of key lime pie?
Don’t pay for water
If you run out of drinking water on the Dry Tortugas, there’s no need to buy bottled water. There’s a water bottling filling station on ferry near the concession stand.
Speaking of drinking water, the Dry Tortugas don’t have a source of drinking water other than rain water. Be sure to check out the impressive cistern system inside Fort Jefferson which is still used to collect rain water.
Don’t expect great merch
Maybe it was because we visited in the low season, but the merch in the small gift shop in Fort Jefferson was picked over. (2X t-shirt anyone?)
While you might not find a shirt in your size, this is where you can stamp your National Parks passport. If you don’t have a passport (I don’t and it feels too late to start now . . . ), plan to take lots of photos because they might end up your only souvenirs.
Watch for bricks
Fort Jefferson might be the largest brick structure in the United States, but the building is over a century and a half old. Let’s just say some of that mortar isn’t as tough as it once was. Whenever you’re around the fort, be on the lookout for falling bricks. Luckily, we didn’t have any close calls, but apparently the bricks are most likely to fall around the window frames.
Respect wildlife closures
The Dry Tortugas is home to some pretty unique wildlife habitat, especially for birds. In fact, it’s home to the largest breeding colony of sooty and brown noddy terns in the contiguous United States. To protect these birds, Bush Key is closed to visitors from early February through September.
Conclusion: What To Know Before Your Dry Tortugas National Park Day
As one of the most remote parks in the U.S. National Park system, a day trip to Dry Tortugas in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico is an adventure you’ll always cherish. Whether you come by boat or plane, I hope this post gave you a sense of what to expect on the Dry Tortugas islands.
With historic forts, excellent beaches, snorkeling, and bird watching, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill your day. Now that you know what to bring, when to book the trip, and the day trip itinerary, you can sit back and enjoy one of the best activities based in Key West, Florida.
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