Stay safe. Unfortunately, the island has not departed from its old pirate days. It is still known as a hotspot for smuggling to America, and a number of drug lords live in huge mansions overlooking the ocean.

A tuya is a type of distinctive, flat-topped, steep-sided volcano formed when lava erupts through a thick glacier or ice sheet. They are somewhat rare worldwide, being confined to regions which were covered by glaciers and had active volcanism during the same period.

(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : roundup. 2a : a public performance featuring bronco riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, and Brahma bull riding. b : a contest resembling a rodeo.

Tortuga is the Spanish word for a turtle or tortoise.

tutu. noun. /ˈtuːtuː/ a female ballet dancer’s short stiff skirt. tutú

Discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513, the Dry Tortugas were named after the large population of sea turtles living in the island’s surrounding waters. “Tortugas” means turtles in Spanish, and Ponce de Leon himself caught over 100 sea turtles during his time on the island.

In 1992, the Dry Tortugas was established as a National Park. More than 80,000 people a year come to see and explore this secluded oasis and all of its eco-wonders.

Stay in Dry Tortugas National Park’s best hotels!

• The Laureate Key West. Hotel in Key West.
• The Capitana Key West. Hotel in Key West.
• La Te Da – Adult Only, 21 or older. Hotel in Duval, Key West.
• Hyatt Residence Club Key West, Windward Pointe.
• The Marquesa Hotel.
• Orchid Key Inn.
• Almond Tree Inn.
• The Gardens Hotel.

Re: Trip to Dry Tortugas- worth it? Its worth it IMO and even if you are a first time visitor to the island but as long as you have more than 3 or 4 full days on that trip. The boat ride is long but it can be nice and relaxing. If you are going in the summer months its not as choppy.

The Yankee Freedom travels to Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park year round. While you do not yet need a passport to travel within the United States, all adults must show a photo ID at check in.

Things to Know Before You Arrive Visitors are able to camp at the Garden Key primitive camping sites. Learn more by visiting our Camping page. Private boaters are able to stay overnight on their vessels while anchored in designated areas.

The entrance fee for Dry Tortugas National Park is $15.00 per person and is good for 7 consecutive days. Any person under 16 years of age is exempt from paying an entrance fee (this includes international visitors).

Per Person

You are welcome to bring along beer and wine. It is illegal to drink alcohol in a Florida State Park but it is legal in a National Park (no open containers on the aircraft). If you need a place to cool off at the Dry Tortugas the visitor’s center located in Fort Jefferson is air-conditioned.

Cars are not able to access the island. The only methods of transportation are by boat or seaplane. Careful planning is essential to ensure a safe and fun visit to the park. For a Dry Tortugas National Park map, click here.

four hours

It is the largest island in the Dry Tortugas and is supposed to have a lot of loggerhead sea turtles and also a Lighthouse. There are a handful of maintenance workers and park rangers that actually live in the fort at the Dry Tortugas.

Most people agree that the best time to visit the Dry Tortugas is from the months of November through April. The Key West seas (both out on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean) tend to be rougher and the winds stronger from October through January.

Very much worth it. Excellent service on boat ride out and back. Over half of the passengers got sea sick on the way out. Very rough going out.

Kayaking on the Dry Tortugas Only three kayaks are allowed on the ferry per trip. The kayak can be no longer than 15.5 feet. It must be an ocean-going kayak and it is recommended that you have a handheld marine radio. Kayaking here is for experienced paddlers, as most destinations are over open water.

82.6°F.

There are opportunities to view sharks, sea turtles, coral, lobsters, squid, octopus, tropical reef fishes, and Goliath groupers.

How to get to Dry Tortugas

1. Bring Your Own Boat. Bring your boat to Dry Tortugas National Park.
2. Charters & Permitted Tour Guides. Take guided tours for fishing, diving, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing.
3. The Yankee Freedom Ferry. Take a high-speed catamaran for day and camping trips.
4. Key West Seaplane Charters.

Campsites at Dry Tortugas are available only on Garden Key, where Fort Jefferson resides. Careful planning is essential to enjoy your visit to Dry Tortugas National Park….On the day of departure, plan to:

1. Completely clear your campsite.
2. Place all camping gear on the main dock.
3. Return all hand carts to the dock by 10 AM.

There aren’t any hotels in Dry Tortugas National Park, but you will find a great selection in Key West. Around 67 miles to the east, check out the Margaritaville Key West Resort & Marina and The Palms Hotel. Get a good night’s sleep at the Blackfin Resort and Marina or the Banana Bay Resort & Marina.

Garden Key and Fort Jefferson are within the RNA; however, a 2-mile-diameter fishing area is established around Garden Key. Within that circle, fishing is allowed except in the swimming/snorkeling area adjacent to the fort and within a couple of small coral and nurse shark protection areas.

Located in Key West, Florida, one of the jewels of the Yankee Fleet is the catamaran Yankee Freedom. The Yankee Freedom is the fastest, largest and newest state-of-the-art ferry transporting passengers to Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park.

The Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West, features Ft. Jefferson and can be toured daily. Below is a list of boat, ferry and jet ski services that allow you to experience the Dry Tortugas National Park: Sponsored Link.

The Yankee Freedom provides daily ferry service from Key West, Florida to the Dry Tortugas National Park.

The 110-foot, high-speed catamaran is the only ferry authorized by the National Park Service to get there. At more than 30 mph, the ferry took about 2 hours and 15 minutes each way.