Dry Tortugas National Park Florida

Explore a 19th Century Fort and snorkel crystal clear water with incredible marine life. Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.  Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life,  and the vast assortment of bird life that frequent the area.

Visitors from around the globe journey to the Dry Tortugas. A variety of remarkable experiences await those who arrive. Whether you find yourself camping, snorkeling, birdwatching, fishing, or just enjoying a view from the top of massive Fort Jefferson, you quickly realize how magical this place can be.

Fort Jefferson
The commercial ferry operator provides daily guided walking tours of Fort Jefferson. Tours begin daily at 11:00 am near the entrance to Fort Jefferson and last approximately one hour. A self-guided tour of Fort Jefferson is also available. Simply follow the interpretive signage, or inquire at the visitor center for more information.
 

Camping at Garden Key is an incredible experience. Amazing star gazing, snorkeling, sunsets and more! But you must be prepared to camp in this remote location. A 10-site, primitive campground is located on Garden Key, the same island as Fort Jefferson, and is a short walk from the public dock. Campers must bring all supplies, including fresh water, fuel, ice, and food.

With less than 1% of Dry Tortugas National Park being dry ground, the best way to see this remarkable national treasure is by getting in the water. Dry Tortugas National Park is situated at the southwest corner of the Florida Keys reef system, the third largest in the world. Due to the remote location, and easterly flowing gulf current just south of the park, you are sure to discover a much greater abundance of marine life and often much larger versions than anywhere else in the Florida Keys.

Historic Coaling Pier Pilings - In the late 1800s the US Navy built coaling warehouses and piers to refuel their ships. Eventually a particularly strong hurricane saw to the destruction of these structures and the Navy decided not to rebuild them. Fortunately for the visitor today, the pilings these piers were built upon did survive and offer an excellent opportunity to see some of the parks larger marine animals. The shelter created by the pilings, mixed with a deep drop off into the dredged channel, attract large groupers, tarpon, barracudas, and the occasion shark. You can also expect to see a variety of smaller fish and colorful coral living on and around these pilings.

Moat wall – In order to protect Fort Jefferson from an amphibious assault, and to add protection from the rough waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a wall was built around the fort creating a moat in between the fort and the moat wall. While swimming in the moat is prohibited, swimming around the moat wall is a wonderful way to discover some of the great cultural artifacts and superlative marine life in the park. Visitors can expect to see anything from reef squid, cement barrels, nurse sharks, anchor chains, hogfish, and maybe even the endangered American crocodile that lives in the waters of the park.

Coral heads – Located at the edge of swim area are some of Gardens Keys largest and most well preserved coral heads. These coral heads grow so massive that you cannot swim over top of them. Here you will see excellent examples of both stony and soft corals. Along with the coral formations, you will also find a variety of colorful reef fish including parrot fish, angel fish, triggerfish damselfish and others.

Look but don't touch! All coral, reef fish, and cultural artifacts are protected.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

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