Dry Tortugas National Park: Amazing 1 Day Trip for Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Imagine a place where the ocean stretches as far as you can see, with small islands dotting the horizon. This is Dry Tortugas National Park, a hidden treasure located about 70 miles from Key West, Florida. It’s a place that feels like it’s at the edge of the world, surrounded by beautiful blue-green water.
Dry Tortugas isn’t your typical national park. It’s made up of seven tiny islands and the water around them. What makes it really cool is all the sea life you can see there. The water is so clear you can easily spot colorful fish, and if you’re lucky, you might even see a sea turtle.
But it’s not just about the sea life. Dry Tortugas is also a great place to watch birds. Many birds stop here during their long journeys across the ocean, making it a bird-watcher’s paradise.
Dry Tortugas History
Right in the middle of all this natural beauty stands Fort Jefferson. It’s a huge fort built in the 1800s, made entirely of bricks. Imagine a castle, but instead of being on a hill, it’s surrounded by water. This fort has seen a lot of history and adds a touch of mystery to the peaceful islands around it.
The story of Dry Tortugas goes way back to 1513. A Spanish explorer named Juan Ponce de León found these islands while he was looking for something called the Fountain of Youth. He named the islands “Las Tortugas” because he saw lots of sea turtles there. Later, people added “Dry” to the name to warn sailors that there wasn’t any fresh water on the islands.
Over the years, different countries became interested in these islands because they were in a good spot for ships to pass by. In the mid-1800s, the United States started building Fort Jefferson. It took a really long time to finish, and they used over 16 million bricks to make it!
Even though Fort Jefferson was built to protect ships, it ended up being used as a prison during the American Civil War. One of its most famous prisoners was a doctor named Samuel Mudd. He was sent there because he helped the man who killed President Abraham Lincoln.
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that Fort Jefferson and the area around it should be protected. But it wasn’t until 1992 that Dry Tortugas officially became a national park. This was done to make sure that all the plants, animals, and history of the place would be safe for years to come.
Things to Do at the National Park
When you visit Dry Tortugas, there’s a lot to see and do:
Snorkeling and Diving: The water around the islands is super clear, making it perfect for seeing all sorts of sea creatures. You can go snorkeling to see colorful fish and maybe even sea turtles. If you know how to scuba dive, you can explore even deeper and see old shipwrecks underwater.
Exploring Fort Jefferson: You can take a tour of Fort Jefferson with a park ranger. They’ll tell you all about the fort’s history and what life was like for the people who lived there long ago. It’s like stepping back in time!
Watching Birds and Wildlife: Dry Tortugas is a great place to see birds, especially during spring and fall when many birds stop here during their long trips. You might see seabirds you’ve never seen before. And if you visit in the summer, you might even see sea turtles laying eggs on the beach.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding: If you have a kayak or paddleboard, you can bring it with you to explore the waters around the islands. It’s a peaceful way to see the park and maybe find some quiet spots away from others
Reefs and Shipwrecks
When you visit Dry Tortugas National Park, you’re in for a real treat both above and below the water. Let’s dive into the amazing world that lies beneath the waves and explore the beautiful beaches where you can relax and play.
Colorful Coral Reefs: Imagine a bustling underwater city made of living rocks called coral. That’s what you’ll find in the waters around Dry Tortugas. These coral reefs are part of something much bigger called the Florida Reef System. It’s so big, it’s the third largest reef system in the whole world!
These reefs are super important. They’re like underwater apartment buildings for all sorts of sea creatures. Colorful fish, sea turtles, and even tiny animals you might need a magnifying glass to see all call these reefs home. The reefs also help protect the islands from big waves and stop the sand from washing away.
If you like to snorkel or dive, you’re in for a treat. There are some great spots to explore, like Pulaski Shoal, Texas Rock, and Long Key Reef. Each place has its own special underwater sights to see
Shipwrecks: Dry Tortugas has a lot of shipwrecks in its waters. Over 200 ships have sunk here over the years! This is because the area used to be a busy route for ships, but the water can be tricky to sail through. There are shallow spots and the currents can be unpredictable.
These sunken ships aren’t just pieces of history. They’ve become new homes for fish and other sea creatures. It’s like nature turned them into underwater playgrounds. If you’re a diver, exploring these shipwrecks can feel like traveling back in time
Beaches to Swim
After all that underwater adventure, you might want to relax on a beach. Dry Tortugas has some great ones:
South Swim Beach: This is probably the beach you’ll visit first. It’s close to where the ferry drops people off and near the big Fort Jefferson. The water is super clear, and the sand is soft. It’s a great place to swim, snorkel, or just lie in the sun.
Dinghy Beach: This small beach is mostly used by people who come to the park on their own boats. While it’s not the best for swimming, it’s a nice quiet spot to enjoy the view.
North Swim Beach: If you want a beach that’s a bit quieter, try North Swim Beach. It’s on the other side of the island from South Swim Beach. You can swim and snorkel here too, and there are usually fewer people around.
Camping and Stargazing
Want to have a really special experience? You can camp overnight on Garden Key. There aren’t many camping spots, and you’ll need to bring everything you need, but it’s worth it. After the day visitors leave, you’ll have the place almost to yourself.
One of the coolest things about camping here is the night sky. Because you’re so far from cities and their lights, you can see more stars than you’ve probably ever seen before. It’s like looking at a giant sparkling blanket covering the whole sky.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Dry Tortugas depends on what you want to do there. Fall to early spring (November – April) is a great time if you want to explore Fort Jefferson without getting too hot, watch lots of birds as many stop here during their migrations, and enjoy cooler, more comfortable weather.
Late spring to summer (May – August) is perfect if you love swimming and snorkeling in warm water, sunbathing on the beaches, and warmer temperatures overall. Remember, hurricane season is from June to November, so if you’re planning a trip during these months, keep an eye on the weather forecasts.
The Climate and Weather: Dry Tortugas is like a little slice of summer all year round. Most of the time, temperatures are in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit (about 21-32 Celsius). Even in winter, it’s usually warmer here than in mainland Florida. The sun is very strong, and there’s not much shade except inside Fort Jefferson.
Navigating Through the Hurricane Season: If you’re visiting between June and November, be aware that it’s hurricane season. Check the weather forecast before your trip. If you’re taking the ferry, know that they won’t sail if the weather is bad. If you’re coming on your own boat, be extra careful and watch the weather closely.
How to Get to Dry Tortugas National Park
You can’t drive to Dry Tortugas—it’s surrounded by water. Your options are by ferry or by seaplane. The Yankee Freedom III ferry leaves from Key West every day, taking about 2.5 hours to get there. You get about 4.5 hours to explore before heading back. The ticket includes entrance to the park, a tour of Fort Jefferson, meals, and snorkeling gear. This is the cheaper option.
Alternatively, Key West Seaplane Adventures offers flights to the park, taking only 40 minutes each way. You can choose a half-day (4 hours) or full-day (8 hours) trip. You get amazing views of the islands from the air. It’s more expensive than the ferry, but you get more time at the park.
FAQs
Can you drive to Dry Tortugas National Park?
No, you can’t drive to Dry Tortugas National Park. The park is about 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Key West, Florida, and is made up of seven small islands in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. There are no roads connecting it to the mainland. So, you’ll need to take either a boat or a plane to get there. It’s part of what makes this park so special and remote!
Cheapest way to get to Dry Tortugas National Park
The most affordable way to visit Dry Tortugas is by taking the Yankee Freedom III ferry. With your ferry ticket, you get a round-trip boat ride from Key West, entrance to the national park, a guided tour of Fort Jefferson, breakfast and lunch, and the use of snorkeling gear. While a seaplane trip is faster and gives you amazing views, it’s more expensive than the ferry.
Loggerhead Key
Loggerhead Key is the biggest island in Dry Tortugas National Park. It’s a special place with beautiful, untouched beaches, and the water around it is full of colorful coral reefs and sea life. There’s an old lighthouse called Loggerhead Lighthouse, built in 1858, that still stands today. You can even see an old broken house on the beach. The island got its name from the loggerhead sea turtles that often visit its shores.
Visiting Loggerhead Key isn’t as simple as visiting the main part of the park. Regular tours don’t go there, so you need to arrange a special trip with a private boat or certain tour companies. Usually, a boat will drop you off and come back later to pick you up.
If you do visit, remember to be very careful. The natural environment here is delicate, so follow all the park rules to help keep it beautiful. For more details about visiting Loggerhead Key, including prices and rules, check out the National Park Service website at nps.gov.
Conclusion
Dry Tortugas National Park is a one-of-a-kind place. It’s a bit tricky to get to, but that’s part of what makes it so special. Once you’re there, you’ll find amazing natural beauty, lots of sea life to observe, and rich history to explore.
Remember, planning ahead is key for a trip to Dry Tortugas. Make your reservations early, especially if you’re going during the busy season. And always respect the park’s rules to help protect this beautiful place for future visitors.
