How deep is the water in the Dry Tortugas?

Dry Tortugas National Park is near the southwestern edge of the Florida Platform. This broad, flat, carbonate platform is only partially exposed above sea level as the Florida peninsula. The submerged portion of the platform extends to water depths of about 300 feet (90 meters).



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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.

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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.

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Established as a national park in 1992, Dry Tortugas is the third-largest coral barrier reef in the world and the only tropical reef in the continental United States. Despite the “dry” part of its name, the park is 99 percent underwater (bring a swimsuit).

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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.

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Collecting is prohibited. Help protect the Dry Tortugas! Please do not remove seashells, coral, sand, brick, glass, stone, metal or any other natural or historic objects from the premises. If you find an artifact, please do not move or disturb it, and promptly call park staff.

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Yes! There are about a dozen National Park Service personnel living and working in the Dry Tortugas. The group includes rangers, maintenance workers, and their families—enough to provide for the basic support and protection of the 100–square–mile park.

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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.

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Sea turtles are often sighted around Dry Tortugas National Park. Originally named Las Tortugas (Spanish for The Turtles) by Ponce de Leon in 1513, this collection of small sand and coral islands is famous for the abundance of sea turtles that annually nest in the area.

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If you take the seaplane, not only do you get to Dry Tortugas National Park quickly, and have the chance to arrive before the ferry, but the flight is incredibly scenic. 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.

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Dry Tortugas National Park Facts
  • Ponce De Leon Discovered Dry Tortugas & Named It “The Islands Of Turtles”
  • Seals At Dry Tortugas Were Hunted To Extinction.
  • These Islands Are Known As The “Sand Keys”
  • Dry Tortugas Once Featured A Lighthouse & Research Laboratory.
  • There Were Ship Disasters & Sunken Treasure At Dry Tortugas.


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Biscayne National Park is 95% underwater and 100% worth preserving, protecting and restoring. When people envision Florida's coasts, the gentle waves lapping at the soft sand under a bright sun generally come to mind, but the greatest things our waters have to offer are actually found under the surface.

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