Located some 70 miles west of Key West, and consisting of wide-open water and a smattering of small islands, Dry Tortugas is actually the wettest national park in the country—one that necessitates swimming and snorkeling to really grasp its breadth.
People Also Ask
The only places off limits for swimming and snorkeling at Garden Key are the dinghy beach, the beach where the seaplanes land, and in the moat of Fort Jefferson.
Located in the southwest corner of the Florida Keys reef system, Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote park that is more than 99% water. Its crystal clear ocean waters abound with incredible marine life.
Dry Tortugas is a cluster of seven islands located about 70 miles west of the Florida Keys. Of course, one of the reasons for its low visitorship is that it's only accessible by boat or seaplane.
A definite yes! I wasn't sure as well if it was going to be worth the money and worth the money to stay in the party town of Key West for a couple of nights. But let me tell you not only is Dry Tortugas one of the best national parks i have been too, it is almost a life-changing experience!
Dry Tortugas National Park offers some of the best snorkeling in North America. Whether you are a beginner or expert, you can enjoy a myriad of colorful tropical fish and living coral.
We did the half day trip by seaplane.We really enjoyed our time in the Dry Tortugas and wished we had more than two and a half hours. However, 6.5 hours is a long time to spend here. It's worth it, if you have that kind of money to spend, and if you want to take your time here.
If you normally do take it – you should really consider taking it before you get on. The boat ride for us was very rocky on the way there and not quite as bad on the way back but I wouldn't call it smooth. Tip 2: Bring Dramamine with you! Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas.
Unfortunately, while the Dry Tortugas were an attractive destination for marauding pirates, they were also the site of some 200 shipwrecks before the construction of the lighthouse on Loggerhead Key.