Dry Tortugas National Park

(55 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Heather Loyd

St Louis, MO

Travel Advisor for Couples, Families, and Groups

Personalized Travel Planner for Couples, Families, and Groups

I have always had a love for travel, culture, and history. I can remember, I was always planning trips with a road map, encyclopedia, and travel books. I then started researching...

Personalized Travel Planner for Couples, Families, and Groups

I have always had a love for travel, culture, and history. I can remember, I was always planning trips with a road map, encyclopedia, and travel books. I then started researching excursions using the internet. My first trip I did was we drove from North Idaho through Washington, Oregon, and ended in Santa Cruz, Calif. Some of my favorite trips I have planned include Westward expansion trips starting in St. Louis and traversing through the western US, memorable trips to the French Quarter of New Orleans and concluding with an alligator visit! I put my heart into planning each and every trip; romantic cruises in Key Largo, cultural excursions in Belize, and helping people find those rare, out of the way parks and incredible points of interest that most people miss or have never heard of. I delight in researching, learning, and discovering this planet we call home. The world really is a magical, beautiful, and amazing place, and I am excited to help you enjoy and explore it!!

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Heather Loyd

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View looking out from Fort Jefferson

A once in a lifetime experience awaits you 70 miles west of Key West. The Dry Tortugas National Park comprises 100 square miles and seven uninhabitable Islands. It is also the location of  Fort Jefferson, a no longer functioning United States military fort. Reached only by boat, ferry or seaplane it is a treasure that must be planned in advance due to how quickly tickets sell out. I had the pleasure of experiencing this unique island, learning its history, and snorkeling its beaches.My husband and I woke early in the morning in Key West to start the journey to the Dry Tortugas. Our favorite Key West breakfast place, The Cuban Coffee Queen, was on the way to the ferry.  I recommend their Sunrise Special, half a Key Westerner and a Cafe Con Leche, to get you fueled for your adventure. We strode to the ferry after breakfast, ready to see some spectacular sights. The Ferry started boarding at 7:30AM. We went inside to find a main area window seat. The roughly two and a half hour trip is not to be taken for granted. Stepping out on the front deck I saw hundreds of flying fish, a hammerhead shark, even a few dolphins. I felt excited and refreshed while the crisp sea air blew in my face.  Upon landing on the main island (Garden Key) we saw  the large brick structure which is  Fort Jefferson. Built between 1846 and 1875 it is a sight to behold. Here in the middle of the warm Caribbean Sea is a magnificent fort that was once used to house prisoners of war during the Civil War. Walking the interior of the fort is like stepping back into a long ago history. The archways, carvings, even the cannons are something that makes your imagination and curiosity come alive. The lighthouse was under renovation when I visited and I look forward to going again when the renovations have finished.The ferry price included a 45 minute guided history tour of Fort Jefferson. The tour tells the story of the islands, found uninhabited except for sea turtles, by Ponce de Leon in 1513. It was named the Dry Tortugas to quickly identify it to sailors as islands that were “dry” meaning they contained no drinking water, but were full of turtles or Tortugas that could be eaten by sailors. The main island Garden Key is and was used for a safe dock for ships needed to weather a storm or fix their vessel. After the tour we freely roamed the Fort grounds, climbing to the top to stare out at the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. The views leave you breathless and not wanting to leave the beauty. Once we climbed down we were off to pick up our lunch from the ferry (also included in the price) and find a place on the beach to eat. After a lunch and some relaxing walks along the sea wall that surrounds the fort we decided to try our hand at snorkeling with our underwater camera. As we began to enter the water we saw a sea turtle pop up out of the water and then go back again. Once we started snorkeling we began to see different types of coral and colorful fish. It's so clear in the water you can see in every direction and feel as though you are a floating spectator in this underwater land. We could have stayed underwater forever, but too soon it became time to reboard the ferry to return to Key West. Upon the return trip we looked out the window relaxing and still processing the full day that we had experienced. The trip passed in a relaxed calm and upon our return we walked back to our hotel to freshen up before dinner and the sunset celebration in Mallory Square. The Florida Keys have always been my favorite and every visit I see and experience something different. However, the day trip to The Dry Tortugas National Park is my favorite experience and one that I plan on experiencing again and again.