Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote and least-visited national parks in the continental US — and one of the most remarkable. The park is a cluster of seven islands about 70 miles west of Key West, covering approximately 100 square miles of ocean, reef, and historic fort. Getting there is part of the experience. Here's everything you need to know.
What Dry Tortugas Is
Dry Tortugas is a national park consisting of seven coral islands and the surrounding waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. The park is famous for Fort Jefferson — a massive Civil War-era masonry fort that is the largest structure in the Americas built from brick — and for its world-class snorkeling and diving. The islands are remote, largely undisturbed, and home to significant bird colonies and marine life. It's about as far from civilization as you can get in the continental US.
How to Get There — Yankee Freedom Ferry
The Yankee Freedom is the official National Park Service concessionaire ferry, running from Key West Harbor every morning (departing around 7:30am, returning around 5pm). The catamaran crossing takes about 2.5 hours each way — roughly 70 miles through open Gulf water. The ride can be rough; bring motion sickness medication if you're prone to nausea. The fare (~$200+ per person in 2026) includes the park entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, and a guided tour of Fort Jefferson. It's a full-day commitment.
How to Get There — Seaplane
Key West Seaplane Adventures offers seaplane flights to Dry Tortugas (~40 minutes each way, significantly higher cost ~$400–500 per person). The flight is an experience in itself — you fly over the Keys, the reef, and the open ocean before landing in the water near the fort. You get more time on the island than the ferry (the flight is shorter), and the aerial views are spectacular. Weather cancellations are more common for seaplanes than for the ferry. Book well in advance — both options fill up quickly in peak season.
Fort Jefferson
The centerpiece of Dry Tortugas. Fort Jefferson is a massive hexagonal masonry fort built between 1846 and 1875, covering nearly the entire main island (Garden Key). At the time of construction it was the largest masonry structure in the Americas, with 16 million bricks. It was used as a Union prison during the Civil War and later as a coaling station for the US Navy. Today it's a haunting, remarkable ruin — you can walk the perimeter, climb to the upper level, and explore the cells. Bring water and a hat; there's no shade inside the fort.
Snorkeling at Dry Tortugas
The snorkeling here is excellent — significantly better than anything accessible from Key West shore. The main snorkel spots are the moat walls (the interior walls of Fort Jefferson's moat, where coral and marine life have grown in the protected water), the garden (a coral head area on the southeast side of the fort with dense marine life), and Loggerhead Key (accessible by dinghy on the Yankee Freedom, a short ride away). The moat walls are the most accessible and consistently good. The garden has more coral density. Bring reef-safe sunscreen — it's required in the park.
What to Pack — There's Nothing on the Island
This cannot be stressed enough: Dry Tortugas has no services, no vending machines, no shade structures (beyond a few small pavilions), and no supplies. You need to bring everything. Water (at least 2 liters per person), food or lunch (the ferry provides it, but you can also bring your own), sunscreen (SPF 50+, reef-safe required), a hat, water shoes (the moat bottom is uneven and rocky), a dry bag for electronics, and motion sickness medication for the boat ride. No shade — that's the main challenge. Plan accordingly.
What to Expect
It's a long day. You leave Key West around 7:30am and return around 5pm. The crossing is 2.5 hours each way in open water — this is not a calm bay crossing. The seas can be rough, especially in afternoon return. You get about 4 hours on the island (less for the seaplane). Use that time: explore the fort, snorkel, walk the beach on Loggerhead Key, eat lunch. Don't expect luxury — this is a national park, not a resort. The experience is extraordinary; the logistics are basic.
Camping Note
You can camp on Dry Tortugas — there's a designated camping area on the north side of Garden Key. It requires a permit from the National Park Service and must be booked well in advance (it's limited to 12 campers per night). Camping allows you to experience the park at sunrise and sunset when the day-trippers are gone. If you're a serious outdoor person, it's worth considering. Otherwise, the day trip is the right experience.
Who Should Skip It
Not everyone will enjoy this. If you have mobility issues that make the boat ride difficult, skip it. If you're very prone to seasickness and the rough crossing is a concern, consider whether the seaplane (smoother flight, but same open-water approach to the island) is a better option. If you're visiting Key West with young children who won't tolerate a long day, skip it — save it for when they're older. If you hate boat rides and the outdoors, this isn't the experience for you. It's for people who want an adventure, not a resort.
For the complete packing checklist, ferry vs. seaplane booking guide, and snorkeling map: keywestondemand.com has the full Dry Tortugas guide →
Book Your Dry Tortugas Experience
Both the ferry and seaplane options fill up quickly in peak season. Book weeks in advance for the best availability.
Browse Viator Dry Tortugas Tours →Common Questions
Can you do a day trip to Dry Tortugas from Key West?
Yes — the Yankee Freedom catamaran leaves Key West every morning and returns in the afternoon. The ferry takes about 2.5 hours each way, giving you roughly 4 hours at the island. This is the most popular way to visit Dry Tortugas and it's run by the park service concessionaire. Alternatively, Key West Seaplane Adventures offers seaplane flights that take about 40 minutes each way, giving you more time on the island. Both are full-day experiences.
How long is the ferry to Dry Tortugas?
The Yankee Freedom ferry takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach Dry Tortugas from Key West Harbor. It's a catamaran that crosses the Gulf of Mexico — the water can be rough, and motion sickness is common. Book a seasickness preventive if you're prone to it. The seaplane option is about 40 minutes each way. Either way, the journey is significant — it's a long day, and you should plan for it.
Is Dry Tortugas worth it?
For most visitors, yes — it's one of the most unique National Parks in the continental US. Fort Jefferson is a remarkable Civil War fort, the snorkeling is excellent (the moat walls and the garden are particularly good), and the island has a genuinely remote, isolated feel that's rare in Florida. The cost is significant (~$200+ per person for the ferry), the day is long, and the boat ride can be rough. But most visitors who go call it the highlight of their Keys trip.
What should I bring to Dry Tortugas?
Everything you need — there's nothing on the island except the park. Bring: sunscreen, a hat, water (more than you think you need — there is no shade except under the few structures), snacks or lunch (the ferry provides lunch but you can bring your own), waterproof bags for electronics, reef-safe sunscreen (required in the park), swim gear, water shoes for the moat walls, and motion sickness medication. There are no services, no shops, no vending machines. You're completely self-sufficient.
Is the seaplane worth the extra cost?
For the experience alone: yes. Flying over the Keys and landing on the water at Dry Tortugas is a bucket-list experience. For time on the island: the seaplane gives you about 3.5 hours on the island vs. 4 hours from the ferry (since the flight is shorter). The seaplane costs significantly more (~$400–500 per person vs. ~$200 for the ferry), and weather cancellations are more common for seaplanes. If budget isn't a concern and you want the experience, the seaplane is worth it. If budget matters, the ferry is the better value.