Dry Tortugas National Park is often regarded as one of the most distinctive national parks in the United States.
In spite of shifts in popular approaches to vacationing, national parks will never stop drawing visitors. But a national park that is 99 percent underwater, that is situated 70 miles away from civilisation, and that can only be reached by seaplane or boat? That's a national park on a whole other level.
Dry Tortugas National Park is one of only three national parks that have been designated in the state of Florida. It is also one of the most isolated national parks in the entire system of national parks in the United States. The park is well-known for its stunningly blue waters, its fascinating two-hundred-year history, its pristine environment, and its remote tropical position in the faraway tropics.
Everyone who has been there can attest to the fact that it is not your typical national park. Do you wish to include yourself in that number? Keep reading to find out how to get there, what you need to know before making the journey, what you can do once you're there, and when is the best time to visit the island.
Making Travel Arrangements to Visit Dry Tortugas National Park
The majority of the 100-square-mile Dry Tortugas National Park is water, and it is mesmerizingly blue and crystal-clear water that is worthy of your wildest tropical dreams. Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of a cluster of seven small islands. It is ideal for swimming as well as sightseeing, which are two of the most popular activities in the Dry Tortugas.
In addition to the stunning water, Dry Tortugas National Park is renowned for the extraordinary natural characteristics that can be seen throughout the park (think: coral reefs, sandy shoals, sea life, and lots of birds).
Photos I took in Teton National Park and Miami, Florida https://t.co/WKXROgIDQj pic.twitter.com/T2JWhCkqgt
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In point of fact, these natural marvels are the primary cause for the establishment of the park. An ideal outdoor laboratory for monitoring "how and why natural systems change over time, and what level of change is normal," according to the National Park Service, it is a rich source of inspiration and a valuable resource for scientists undertaking research.
It is an especially valuable resource because the Dry Tortugas Research Natural Area, which encompasses the park and was formed in 2007 to safeguard the marine ecosystem of the park, is located nearby. According to the National Park Service, this protected preserve covering 46 square miles provides "a sanctuary for species impacted by fishing and loss of habitat in this section of the Gulf of Mexico."
Even people who aren't scientists have the opportunity to enjoy activities like boating, scuba diving, and snorkeling in some of the cleanest waters that can be found as a result of this vital study work.
Garden Key is the second biggest island in the Dry Tortugas and is home to the historic fortification known as Fort Jefferson. This fort is situated on Garden Island's 14 acres.
Fort Jefferson has been through several transformations since it was first built in the 1800s as a brick fort, which at the time was one of the largest in the country. A coaling station for battleships, a secure haven for ships patrolling the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida to resupply and repair, and even a prison for Union deserters during the Civil War are some of the functions that this location has performed in the past. Despite this, Fort Jefferson was never assaulted, meaning that it was able to successfully fulfil its purpose as a frightening warning to opposing forces.
Visitors are now able to tour and learn about a less well-known piece of American history that connects international trade lines, wartime living, and hundreds of shipwrecks. It is a preserved piece of history with ornate brickwork and 2,000 gorgeous arches.
Things You Should Be Aware Of Prior to Your Trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
It is true that Dry Tortugas National Park is one of those places that offers the most rewarding experiences after the most challenging trips. It is distant from almost everything, and while its isolation is part of its charm, it does require a bit more planning than your typical spur-of-the-moment excursion through a national park would.
Because the park is inaccessible by car and there are no facilities to purchase food, fuel, water, or charcoal once you enter, it is essential that you come prepared for the entirety of your stay. (Because of this, going to the Dry Tortugas on a day excursion is by far the most common method to visit them.)
In addition, there are no supplies that can be purchased within the park, and the only facilities are located on the Yankee Freedom ferry, which means that they are only accessible during the times that the ferry is moored. Composting toilets are accessible to campers who intend to stay overnight from 3 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. each day.
In addition, there is no cell phone coverage, internet access, or wireless internet available within Dry Tortugas National Park. One of the things that sets this park apart from others in our hyperconnected world is the fact that visitors must come prepared for an experience that is completely untethered from modern technology.
Because there are only a few entrances and exits to the park, going there requires an all-day commitment. This means that if you change your mind and decide you don't want to go, you can't just turn around and go home.
If the idea of being "stranded" (for a day) on a remote tropical island with limited access to food, water, restrooms, and other modern conveniences isn't appealing to you, you might want to skip out on this particular activity. Yet, if you are looking for excitement, you are in for a real treat.
The Step-by-Step Guide to Reaching Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park is a destination in and of itself, but getting there is half the fun due to its remote location 70 miles west of Key West, which is the southernmost point of the mainland United States.
Ferries, private boats, chartered boats, and seaplanes are some of the modes of transportation that can be utilised to reach Dry Tortugas National Park. Both Naples and the Florida Keys offer divers and anglers the opportunity to book trips to the Dry Tortugas aboard fishing and diving boats.
To get to the Dry Tortugas, however, taking a seaplane is likely to be the most scenic and exciting mode of transportation there.
Daniel Jenkins, a native Floridian who lives in Florida and just visited Dry Tortugas National Park with his husband, remarked that taking a seaplane to go to the park was the most memorable part of their vacation. When viewed from above, the colour of the ocean is so brilliantly blue that it appears to nearly sparkle. I couldn't keep track of how many dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, stingrays, and sharks we saw from the air, and you even fly over a few of shipwrecks," he says. "It was an incredible experience."
It takes a fraction of the time to travel, which means you can spend more time snorkeling and visiting the island, and the small cabin size allows for only ten passengers at a time. "It's a fraction of the time to travel,"
It costs $361 per adult for a half-day excursion with Key West Seaplane Adventures, which is an NPS-sanctioned seaplane charter that travels to Dry Tortugas. The flight takes around forty minutes in either direction.
You will need to tour the park using your own private boat if you want to go to locations that are beyond Garden Key and Fort Jefferson; but, in order to do so, you will first need to obtain a permission.
The Most Economical Approach to Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park
The Dry Tortugas National Park can be reached in a number of ways, none of which are especially inexpensive, but some of these methods are more affordable than others.
The seaplane ride is sure to be an experience to remember, but the majority of tourists decide to take the boat from Key West, which is a round-trip that takes only two hours. Included in a trip on the Yankee Freedom, which departs from Key West at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. each day, are breakfast, lunch, a fully narrated 45-minute tour of Fort Jefferson, complimentary snorkelling equipment, and park entrance fees. The tour also includes complimentary snorkelling equipment. There is also a selection of frozen beverages available for purchase in case you feel like having a rum runner as you relax.
Day trips on the Yankee Freedom start at $200 per ticket; if you want to spend the night and add primitive camping with a kayak, it would set you back about $240. Day trips on the Yankee Freedom start at $200 per ticket. It is the most cost-effective method to reach Dry Tortugas National Park (unless you have a buddy who has a boat and is willing to take you there for free, that is).
Activities Such as Snorkeling and Swimming Are Only Two of Many Fun Things to Do in Dry Tortugas National Park
Visitors who wish to spend more time than just a few hours exploring Dry Tortugas National Park should make camping on the island a priority.
However, the majority of tourists opt to stay for only one day, during which they participate in activities such as ranger-led excursions, wildlife watching, swimming, snorkelling, diving, and exploring the historic Fort Jefferson. In addition, geocaching, fishing, and paddling are all activities that may be done here; however, you will need to bring your own kayak or paddleboard.
The majority of people that go to Dry Tortugas National Park will also go to Garden Key because that is where the ferry and seaplane passengers are dropped off. Nevertheless, if you have your own boat, you can also explore the other islands that are contained inside the park.
It is located three miles to the west of Garden Key and is the largest island in the park. Loggerhead Key is a wonderful place to go snorkeling and enjoy the beaches. There are as many as 80,000 sooty terns and 4,500 brown noddies that make their home on the 16-acre uninhabited island that is known as Bush Key during the nesting season (February to September). Be aware that during this time, Bush Key is closed to tourists since these are the only large breeding colonies of the bird species anywhere in the United States.
When to Go to Dry Tortugas National Park for the Best Experience
Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible all year round because of the subtropical environment that prevails there. Every season brings the same consistent mild temperatures and beautiful skies. The winter months (December through March) have a tendency to have stronger winds, which can result in the possibility of more turbulent waves, although the temperature is lower and the humidity is higher. In the meantime, the summers are extremely hot and muggy. The months of June through November are hurricane season in the Atlantic, therefore weather disturbances are possible throughout those months. In spite of this, you can go to Dry Tortugas National Park during any month of the year and have a day that looks like a picture.