Dry Tortugas National Park

🌲 Park Overview

Seventy miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park protects 100 square miles of sun-drenched Atlantic, seven tiny coral-sand islets, and some of North America’s healthiest reefs. At its heart rises Civil-War–era Fort Jefferson, a massive 16-million-brick stronghold that once guarded the Straits of Florida. The park’s name nods to the hordes of sea turtles (“tortugas”) first noted by Ponce de León in 1513 and the total lack of freshwater (“dry”). Reachable only by ferry, seaplane, or private boat, Dry Tortugas offers snorkel-ready clear water, pristine bird rookeries, and stargazing free of mainland light pollution.

🌟 Fun Facts

Fort Jefferson is the largest 19th-century masonry fort in the United States—if dismantled, its bricks would circle the Earth at the equator.

From April–October, Dry Tortugas hosts the only regular U.S. nesting colony of sooty terns—up to 80,000 birds on Bush Key.

Famous prisoner Dr. Samuel Mudd (linked to Lincoln’s assassination plot) served time here and helped stop a yellow-fever outbreak in 1867.

Water visibility often exceeds 60–100 ft, ideal for snorkelers exploring the park’s living coral heads and the 1875 Windjammer (Avanti) wreck.

📅 Best Time to Visit

Season

Weather & Water

Highlights

Cautions

Nov – Apr (Dry)

70–78 °F air • 73 °F water

Crystal visibility, mild seas, best camping temps

Ferry & seaplane seats book months ahead

May – Jun (Shoulder)

80–88 °F air • 80 °F water

Turtle nesting on Loggerhead Key, calm seas

Humidity climbs, afternoon squalls

Jul – Oct (Wet)

85–92 °F air • 85 °F water

Warmest snorkeling, bioluminescent plankton, night skies

Hurricane season, mosquitoes, heat-index 110 °F

🎯 Things to Do

Families

Ranger-led Fort Jefferson history tour (30 min).

Snorkel the Moat Wall—shallow, fish-rich, kid-friendly.

Earn Junior Ranger patch; complete seabird, shipwreck, & coral activities.

Adventure-Seekers

Kayak 3-mi open Gulf traverse to Loggerhead Key (permit, calm seas).

Two-tank SCUBA dive on the Windjammer wreck (65-ft steel hull).

Night-sky photography of the Milky Way arching above fort bastions.

Photographers

Sunrise from North Coaling Dock ruins—gold light on fort walls.

Sooty-tern swarm over Bush Key (Mar–Sep).

Fort moat reflections at blue hour; lighthouse silhouettes from boat deck.

🥾 Top Walks, Snorkels & Paddles

Activity

Distance / Depth

Highlights

Fort Parapet Walk

0.8 mi loop

360° Gulf panoramas, cannon embrasures.

Moat Wall Snorkel

5–15 ft

Colorful coral heads, sergeant majors, lobster dens.

Windjammer Wreck Snorkel/Dive

15–20 ft

1875 iron windjammer ribs, schooling barracuda.

Kayak Loggerhead Key

6 mi RT

Loggerhead lighthouse (1858), coral gardens, turtle sightings.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kid-Friendly Activities

“Fort Detective” scavenger hunt (ranger desk) to find casemate clues.

Build shell mosaics on Garden Key beach (leave shells on site).

Ranger-led fish-feeding at dock pilings (check board for times).

♿ Accessibility Notes

Yankee Freedom ferry: main deck, restrooms, and sun deck chairs are wheelchair accessible; call 48 hrs ahead.

Fort Jefferson ground level has accessible brick walkways; moat bridge gentle slope.

Beach wheelchairs available free with 72-hr reservation through ferry office.

🗓️ Itinerary Ideas

1-Day “Fort & Reef” (Ferry Day-Trip)

8 a.m. Depart Key West on Yankee Freedom (breakfast onboard).

Ranger-guided Fort tour (10 a.m.).

Snorkel Moat Wall (11:30 a.m.) → buffet lunch on ferry.

Optional Windjammer snorkel (1 p.m.) or explore Bush Key bird rookery boardwalk.

3 p.m. Depart; sunset sail back to Key West.

2-Day “Camp & Stars”

Day 1: Ferry over, set Garden Key campsite, snorkel Moat & South Wharf pylons, sunset atop fort wall.

Night: Stargaze & astrophotography—Bortle-1 gulf skies.

Day 2: Early kayak to Loggerhead Key, tour lighthouse with caretaker, picnic & reef snorkel, paddle back for 2:30 p.m. ferry.

🧳 Planning Tips

Reservations: Ferry & seaplane sell out 3–6 months high season; book ASAP.

Camping: 8 sand sites, first-come but ferry holds limited spots; bring 1 gal water/person/day, portable shade, hard-sided food bins (rats).

Weather: Hurricanes possible Aug–Oct—monitor NPS alerts; ferry canceled if seas >7 ft.

Gear: Reef-safe sunscreen (oxybenzone & octinoxate banned in Key West), rash guard, wide-brim hat, motion-sickness pills.

🚧 Permits & Rules

Kayak permits issued on arrival—life jackets & VHF radio required for Loggerhead crossing.

No removal of shells/coral; stay 100 ft from turtles & nesting birds.

No drones or generators; quiet hours 10 p.m.–6 a.m.

🌄 Compare This Park With

Biscayne NP: Similar coral reefs but near mainland; Dry Tortugas doubles the remoteness & historic fort.

Virgin Islands NP: Caribbean coral & beaches; Tortugas has Civil War fort & fewer crowds.

Channel Islands NP: Boat-only access but temperate kelp forests vs. Tortugas’ tropical reefs.

🔗 Internal Links

Blog – “Packing Light for Heavy Heat: Dry Tortugas Camping Guide.”

Printable – “Sea Turtle Nesting Bingo & Water-Ration Chart.”

📥 Printable Downloads (placeholder)

Camping Gear Checklist

Windjammer Snorkel Map

Fort Jefferson History Timeline Sheet

🔍 SEO Keyword Targets

Dry Tortugas ferry tickets

Camping Dry Tortugas National Park

Snorkeling Fort Jefferson moat

Windjammer wreck dive guide

Loggerhead Key kayak permit

Best time to visit Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas seaplane review

Birding Bush Key sooty terns

Dry Tortugas packing list

Florida Keys national park day trip

Dry Tortugas National Park guide—reefs, seabirds, and remote fort camping—has been added as its own full document. Review it at your leisure, and when you’re ready, just say “next” for Gateway Arch or let me know any edits.