Explore Fort Jefferson & Underwater Wonders at Dry Tortugas

Dive into the heart of Dry Tortugas National Park, where the historic Fort Jefferson meets the Gulf's most pristine waters for an unmatched adventure.

Last updated: Mar 2024

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Approx. $359 for a standard day trip, including park access and activities.
More than 500 Miles from you
National Star: Exceptional experiences within the country that are must-dos for adventurers
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Description

Discover the secluded Dry Tortugas National Park, a 99% underwater paradise known for its crystal-clear waters, historic Fort Jefferson, and vibrant marine life. Dive into the heart of Dry Tortugas National Park, where the historic Fort Jefferson meets the Gulf's most pristine waters for an unmatched adventure. Begin your journey with a scenic seaplane or ferry ride to Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70 miles from Key West. This remote gem is predominantly underwater, boasting vibrant coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. Step back in time at Fort Jefferson, a monumental coastal fortress with a rich Civil War history, offering stunning views and captivating stories. Whether snorkeling among exotic fish, bird watching, or simply soaking up the sun on secluded beaches, Dry Tortugas offers an escape to one of the nation's most unique national parks.

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Itinerary

Check-in early for your seaplane or ferry departure from Key West.
Enjoy the scenic journey to Dry Tortugas, keeping an eye out for marine life below.
Explore Fort Jefferson with a guided tour, learning about its historical significance.
Snorkel in the clear waters to discover vibrant marine ecosystems.
Relax on the pristine beaches or dive into more underwater adventures.
Return to Key West with unforgettable memories.

Location

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

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Packing List

Government-issued photo ID
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
Swimwear and towel
Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
Camera for capturing breathtaking views
Water and snacks

4.8 ● Google reviews

Long day of what seems like very little activity. Hope you like the ferry ride. It's 2.5 hours there and another 2.5 back. 4 hours spent there where you can see the beach that is untouched and not that clean on one side. There ilare 2 beach areas where you can snorkel. It wasn't worth the 200 pp to go there to snorkel but the tour of the fort was cute, tour guides were knowledgeable. Sun bathing was nice. Snorkeling, not so much. Too shallow for fishes to inhabit there behind the riped area where you are allowed to snorkel. Definitely lots of signs of coral washed up to shore. I went Snorkeling for 1.5 hours and saw mostly sand and sea grass. Florida was hit with many hurricanes. So if you come here to Snorkel you will be extremely disappointed. But you get to check a national park off your list that is very out of the way.

This place was absolutely stunning! The structure itself is truly an amazing thing all alone, add onto that the history and you just cannot help but be blown away. I highly recommend this tour to everyone, you will not be disappointed. The only thing to decide is if you want to take the Ferry over or a Sea Plane. The boat is a 2 1/2 hour trip each way and the plane is roughly 30 minutes, but if the seas are rough you could be riding the boat in some very high seas. Aside from how you get there it will be amazing!

Great park. Staff/volunteers/interns were all great. They do a good job of balancing tourism and historic preservation. We even watched a bird rescue. Suggest two nights because weather will affect snorkeling if that's important to you.

This is the most unique national park that we have been to. It is only accessible by ferry or sea plane. It is in a completely remote island with no restrooms and follows strictly ‘carry your own garbage. Policy. The water is turquoise blue with vast marine life. For snorkeling it is the ideal spot. The beaches are so pretty. We saw so many fishes and hermit crabs on the beach. The Fort Jefferson is on the island. This place has a lot of history. It is highly recommended and definitely worth the visit. If you take the ferry it is almost 2.5 hours each way from Keywest , FL. The ferry lets you stay on the island 4-5 hours.

We took the Yankee Freedom ferry to the park in July. Wow, was it hot. The views were breathtaking. The snorkeling was out of this world and worth the price to get there. We did not do the tour because we watched so many on YouTube. Your time there will be 4 hours, and it is plenty of time in the middle of the summer. I would recommend bringing an umbrella, cooler, and change of clothes. The Ferry will have all of the snorkeling gear you will need.

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