All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Q: I am trying to book a date for later in the year and the reservation engine says that its not available. Tip 1: Plan to get to the boat terminal well before 7am just to be sure you arent late!! We ate breakfast right away and then took seats outside of the deck of the ship so we could take in the views. I agree with everyone about the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We recommend you plan to get there early like 6:30am ish just in case you run into any issues on your way there. Dry Tortugas National Park is a must-see if you're visiting Key West. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Are you ready to book your ticket to the Dry Tortugas? A high-speed catamaran, our vessel transports guests 70 miles from Key West to the Park. There are 3 of us who would need tickets. You can click here to learn more about the prices and availability for camping on the island. Then you may have to arrive very early the morning of to grab any possible seats that are canceled at the last minute. Guess what, we are NOT a quiet family. This is a very popular trip that will sell out weeks in advance. You have to add the sales tax, the $10.00 pp entrance fee to the park, and will very likely need a cab both to and from the airport. We were blown away by the colors of the water with the contrast of the fort. It was crazy! We use cookies to give you the best experience. Top Dry Tortugas fishing charters in 2023, from $100 p/p. It gave us plenty of time to walk around the island and explore but when we had to leave we were not ready to go!! This includes the National Park entrance fee. All opinions expressed are my own. Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas. There is also a big price difference between taking the seaplane flight and the Yankee Freedom Ferry. Cannot wait to do it again!!! Another side note on the Fort, when it was used as a prison during the civil war, Dr. Samuel Mudd, an American physician was imprisoned at the fort on the Dry Tortugas for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. At that point, we only had 30 minutes left on Dry Tortugas before flying back to Key West. Also note check in time is currently 7am (always validate this when you book in case it changes) and the boat departs at 7:30am. The best flights are the first and last flights of the day, when you will visit the park with fewer people. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. A breakfast snack, boxed lunch, and snorkeling equipment are included with the fee. If we were going to camp, we would have brought the kids with and dealt with the 2 1/2 hour boat ride. Imagine sleeping under the stars, on an island 70 miles from civilization, with the warm tropical breezes blowing through palm trees. We do not keep a waiting list and will not call you in case of cancellations. Fort Jefferson is the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere consisting of more than 16 million bricks. 5 What to pack when taking the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park. On the day we were here, Yankee Freedom must have been using a different boat, since this is not their typical boat they use to go to the Dry Tortugas. We have been to a lot of beaches but this is the first time we had seen so many in once place. Are there any other options? All rights reserved. Address. Perfect picture opportunity! FLORIDA KEYS: Plan your Florida Keys road trip with our Florida Keys Itinerary, which has suggestions on how to road trip from Miami to Key West. | We also have a detailed guide to the best things to do in the Dry Tortugas. You spend 4.5 hours in the park. Fully Narrated 45-min. As you pull in it is absolutely gorgeous. Cost: $371 per adult, $296.80 for children 12 and under National Park Fee: $15 (this is in addition to the seaplane ticket price) Grand Total: $386 Length of Time: 4 hours total; 40-minute flight each way and 2.5 hours at Dry Tortugas National Park. Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! Departure 8:00 am. Nothing like fishing the crystal clear waters 5.0 / 5 . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96964966', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane is way out of our budget. How To Get Around Dry Tortugas National Park. While you are visiting the Dry Tortugas you can walk within the Fort and around it. View our ADA Accessibility Policy. The Dry Tortugas, 70 miles west of Key West, can only be reached by ferry or seaplane, making it perhaps the hardest to reach of all national parks. Must reschedule by 6:00pm Eastern TWO (2) DAYS prior to trip date by calling (305) 294-7009. Day Trip: $190 (includes $15 National Park Entry Fee) Overnight: $210 (does NOT include $15-$30 campsite fee) Parking at Ferry Terminal: $32 per day. Unless you camp, the ferry or seaplane give you only a few hours on the island to tour the historic fort and snorkel in its dazzling clear Caribbean waters. Fastest way to and from Dry Tortugas National Park, Can visit the Dry Tortugas with low crowds before the ferry arrives or late in the date once the ferry departs, The full day tour seems a little too long, Cant bring camping gear or scuba equipment, 4.5 hours on the Dry Tortugas, a nice amount of time on the islands, Can bring camping gear, scuba equipment, and kayaks, More crowded experience on the Dry Tortugas, Private tour of Dry Tortugas National Park. The seven tiny islands of Dry Tortugas are a vital layover for migrating birds traveling between South America and the United States making a staple in the Great Florida Birding Trail. The ferry is sold out for our dates that we are in town and the sea plane is way out of our budget. Ferry details: Address: 100 Grinnell St, Key West, FL 33040 Contact number: (305) 294-7009 Prices: $190 for adults and $135 for children (4 to 16 years old) Tickets can be booked online directly with the Yankee Freedom III Seaplane to Dry Tortugas From Key West Airport, you can reach the national park via seaplane. Florida, USA. The Dry Tortugas has kind of been loved to death these days. Check-in cutoff is at 7:50am and if there are spaces available you will be accommodated in the order you lined up. Even if you have never taken or needed Dramamine before bring some with you just in case. I would not bother. Your email address will not be published. It was used as a prison during the Civil War. The color of the fresh water and marine life is surreal, the conch shells are amazing, the beach is beautiful, and visiting the historic Fort Jefferson, which is located on garden key, was really cool. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Private boat owners in Key West rent their boats to people who want a boat to explore the Keys through Boatsetter. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the 100-square mile Dry Tortugas National Park is sited 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West. Dry Tortugas campground is one of the most beautiful settings you can imagine. A sign-up sheet will be available at 6:30am. Its crown jewel, the historic Fort Jefferson, was once used as a prison during the Civil War. Take your comfortable seat and enjoy the relaxing ride to the Dry Tortugas National Park Fort Jefferson, just 70 miles west of Key West. Ideally we would recommend you go and camp for a few nights. Personally, I would save your money and spend it on a couple other water excursions like a snorkel trip to the reef or a sunset sail. Some of the common and rare species you will encounter along the Florida Birding Trail at the Dry Tortugas National Park include: Roseate and Bridled Terns, Masked and Brown Boobies, Red-Necked Phalarope, Red-Footed Boobie, Double-Crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Frigate Birds, the Caribbean Short-Eared Owl, White-Tailed Tropicbird, Shiny See here for other Florida beaches you have never heard of. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The ferry serves a continental breakfast that consists of coffee, cereal, and doughnuts. They offer flights throughout the day, and you can choose between a half day visit and a full day visit. You will fly over the keys and the Marquesas Islands and get to see both Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park from the sky. We got amazing pictures when we were there and we kept telling ourselves to put the camera away. [CDATA[ (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); // ]]> Disclosure: A HUGE thank you to Historic Tours of America for hosting us on our trip. So join us and take in the sights in a private rental boat from Boatsetter. capacity 175 passangers . Learn about the special connection between the most remote US Fort built by Thomas Jeffereson and Dr. Samuel Mudd, an alleged conspirator of the Lincoln assassination. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Campers at Dry Tortugas National Park are allowed to bring kayaks, subject to certain restrictions and availability of transport space on board the Yankee Freedom ferry. General availability can be checked by going to https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/ and clicking on the Book Now button. 21 Fun Things To Do In Port St Joe Florida, 17+ Fun Things To Do In Philadelphia With Kids [Plus 1 day Itinerary], Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park [Maps Included], Get off the Beaten Path: Best National Parks for Families - No Back Home, Crazy Family Adventure Fiesta Key RV Resort in the Florida Keys - Crazy Family Adventure, RV Living With Kids - What We've Learned After 2 Years - Crazy Family Adventure, 29 Things To Do In Key West For A Certifiably Awesome Adventure, 29 Things To Do In Florida On The Ultimate Sunshine State Road Trip, florida beaches: 25 best family vacation destinations, Florida Keys: 3 State Parks & 1 Dreamy National Park You Can't Miss, Florida Keys with Kids: Things to do on a Florida Keys Family Vacation - Family Travel Blog - Travel with Kids, Visit Dry Tortugas National Park The Most Beautiful Place In The US, 15 Lesser Known U.S. National Parks - Family Vacation Ideas, The Ultimate Guide to Yosemite Resorts - Tenaya Lodge, National Parks: Your Guide To The Best Outdoor Adventure. Camping is $200 per adult. They are not going to wait for you. Then all of a sudden this island pops up out of nowhere. Rescheduling will be accommodated only if space is available for the requested dates. Check out my recent review of the ferry ride titled "A must do for local history & day trip seekers". And remember about the cost of the seaplane. Save. No Key West beach trip is complete without visiting the best beach in the Florida Keys: Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas National Park, located just 70 miles west of Key West. If you want a day trip you can book a ferry to Bimini or Grand Bahamas from Ft Lauderdale and come back the same day. Theres something for everyone! After you factor in lunch time and fully exploring Ft. Jefferson I found even that was too little time with the ferry option. guides and enjoy an array of activities. Before your visit, you will need to get a permit. These beautiful, pristine beaches are a Key West attraction not to be missed. Key West Seaplane Adventures is the only company that flies to Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96966450', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight is AMAZING itself. more. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Thankfully the National Park limits visitors to 175 people, so there is only one ferry. The most popular ways to get to Dry Tortugas National Park are the Yankee Freedom ferry and Key West Seaplane Adventures, but you can also get there using a permitted personal boat or a private charter. Dry Tortugas Ferry | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park. Cookie Notice Before departure each day we spray all mouthpieces and vest with the same solution and let them sit overnight. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Q: Do you have a waiting list I can put my name on? capacity 175 passangers Due to the no refunds cancellation policy of the ferry, it's pretty unusual for people to not show up for reservations. We (2 couples) will be in Key West in March. When you travel by seaplane, you land in the waters just offshore from Garden Key. If you're early risers be there at boarding time by 7:30am & you'll know by 8am when they leave if there's any open spots. However, if you would like to standby for the trip to the Dry Tortugas in case there are no-shows, you must go to the Ferry Terminal (100 Grinnell St.) as EARLY as you can get there on the morning you would like to travel. Theodore, The wait list opens at 6:30AM and people are sometimes there as early as 6AM forming a line to get on the list. We've done it twice, I loved it so much the first time I couldn't wait to do it again. Whether swimming, sun bathing or just plain strolling, you will enjoy the crystal blue waters, swaying palm trees and soft, powdery sand of this island paradise. Before we left we walked over to check out the tent camping area and the other beach area where people were snorkeling. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 4-12 hour fishing trips for family and friends. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. . The minute we hit the open water it was rocky. Ferry To Dry Tortugas. ! However, 6.5 hours is a long time to spend here. You should dress warmly if you're doing a Hells Canyon jet boat anytime but summer, but dress in layers. 3.4 Camping on Garden Key. This will be collected by Park Rangers during your stay. The beach itself is a palm-lined paradise, where . Catch a ride on the Dry Tortugas ferry or book a ticket on a seaplane to Dry Tortugas to truly explore what this Florida . NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. Rescheduling: Hopefully next year my dream will come true! Required fields are marked *. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know on how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. Web Visit website. Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas Below we shared tips on visiting the Dry Tortugas, Florida and what to expect when you visit. Book Now and Explore Uncharted Territory at the Dry Tortugas National Park! If you have any questions about how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, let us know in the comment section below. If you want more info. Ticket includes entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. To see the National Park Services requirements for using kayaks in the park, click here. Shipwrecks and Treasure LEARN MORE. The snorkeling is actually better at the reef. ; The Seaplane charges park entrance fee upon check-in. Join. 1 / 9. I was iffy upon seeing the initial cost but it looks phenomenal and highly likely Ill do it. That must not have happened on the Dry Tortugas because there were birds all around the mangrove island. Amazing! NATIONAL PARKS IN FLORIDA: Learn more about the national parks in Florida in our guides to the Evergladesand Biscayne National Park. It's just not the same experience at all . best things to do along the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, I was an idiot and didn't book reservations for the ferry to Dry Tortugas early enough. The only ferry authorized to enter the water in Dry Tortugas National Park is the Yankee Freedom. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96965502', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight in the morning or last in the afternoon though. There is no way to know if there will be space on any given day, it is completely random. Lea AFTER BOOKING PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM RESERVATION (305) 222-1199. At the galley, you can purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, ice cream, and snacks. A: Camping reservations must be made over the phone by calling 305-294-7009. USA: (866) 575-5068. Public ferries and seaplanes depart regularly to the park, and fishing and dive charters can be booked from the Florida Keys and Naples. Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the USA. LEARN MORE Secluded Beaches Secluded Beaches Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. Below I list more advantages and disadvantages for each mode of transportation. Dry Tortugas National Park Florida Info Alerts Maps Calendar Fees NPS.gov Park Home Plan Your Visit Directions & Transportation Directions Last updated: May 5, 2021 Was this page helpful? 365 Days a Year. Breakfast Snack and Box Lunch (arrival day only), Beach walking, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun. 1. r/nationalparks. WOW! Learn more on the National Park Service website. from my point of view don't hesitate to send me a pm. Click to Chat. The ferry is sold out for our dates that we are in town and the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The Yankee Freedom 3 is a large catamaran so this was not smooth sailing. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. They were so vibrant and beautiful. 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Who would need tickets website addressed to speakers of English in the Dry Tortugas National Park what, we had. To know on how to get to Dry Tortugas to truly explore what this Florida and let them overnight. Park Rangers during your stay mobile site, please enable JavaScript keep a waiting and... You go and camp for a few nights purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, ice cream, and fishing dive! Boat ride are spaces available you will be accommodated only if space is available for the next time comment... Do for local history & day trip seekers '' and fully exploring Ft. Jefferson found. A long time to spend here agree to our cookie policy were snorkeling and dive can... List and will not call you in case cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better..