A daytrip to Dry Tortugas National Park was quite the adventure. Dry Tortugas National Park was a marvelous experience we got a bit of history and snorkeling. It’s no surprise that Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the least visited National Parks. The island is about 70 miles off the coast of Key West. So the only way to get here is via boat or plane. After looking up how much the sea plane fares were (they were pricey!) we quickly booked ferry passes. On our first visit to Key West we didn’t make time to go to Dry Tortugas. It’s an all day event- actually it could be multi-day if you want to camp on the island. We had our tickets a few weeks in advance. Boarding started at 7am and we returned at 5:30pm.
It’s really interesting to read about the history and name of Dry Tortugas. Tortugas is for turtles because those who discovered the island saw a lot of turtles nesting here. We didn’t see any but those who worked the ferry said that they seem some swimming in the waters close to Dry Tortugas. I also learned of a famous inmate that was kept at Fort Jefferson in the time period after the Civil War. Apparently it’s called “Dry” because there is no fresh water on the island and because of the lack of fresh water bugs are not supposed to be a problem on the island. We were only there during the day and didn’t have a problem with buys. Since we didn’t camp there I am not sure if there were bugs at night.
Did Anyone Get Sick on the Way to or From Dry Tortugas?
Yes, several people in our party got sick on the way to Dry Tortugas. I read it is very bumpy the last hour of the ride to Dry Tortugas and the first hour returning back to Key West. I would say a significant number of people got sick (to varying degrees)on the ferry and it was very bumpy the hour ride to and from Dry Tortugas. How sailors lived out at sea for weeks or months at a time I will never know.
Everyone took a Dramamine before we went on the ferry except for the toddler. He didn’t get sick at Key Biscayne and has never been car sick before so I didn’t know what to do with him. He needed as the crew called it his “souvenir bag” several times and I felt so bad for him. I was so grateful that I was not sick and was able to go to the back of the boat with him and the fresh air seemed to help. We gave him a Dramamine for the return trip and he was fine.
The crew pointed out the lower level would be best if you have a tendency to get motion sick. We all sat downstairs and we had a little bit of wiggle room. A lot of people wanted to sit on top. People boarded the ferry early to claim seats on the lower level to help prevent motion sickness. I went back early to claim some seats while the rest finished up at the fort. The crew was amazing though. As soon as the water got choppy the crew was ready for anyone who looked queasy. They were so on top of it and helped our family out so much. We can’t say enough nice things about the crew at Yankee Ferry.
What Food Was Part of the Ferry Ticket?
For breakfast, we had a plain bagel and cream cheese in a brown paper sack. They did ask if you had dietary restrictions to talk to the crew at the beginning of the trip. Yogurt, orange and a cup of fruit was also available. At lunchtime, the ferry provided a paper bag of Publix six inch sub sandwich (ham or turkey), cookie, bag of chips, and bottled water. There was other food/drinks available for purchase. The kids got a free ice cream sandwich once they completed the junior ranger packet. They got their ice cream sandwich for the return trip and it was a nice cold treat on a hot day.
What Did We Bring?
Since I wasn’t sure what food would be provided and the quantity I brought snacks, and drinks for our group. Of course our Yeti came; the cold water was so good in the hot sun. I also brought some Cheez-its, cliff bars, bags of nuts, and some Gatorade. I had more than enough food but I had an irrational fear of getting stranded on the island.
Even though snorkeling gear is included with our tickets we had our own. Other things we brought are paper and pencils (so the kids could draw or play games), sunscreen, sunglasses, puddle jumper for the toddler, go-pro, phones, towels (people used them as blankets since the ferry was nicely airconditioned), and hats. We didn’t bring a change of clothes- we just had our swim suits on. First we swam and then walked around the fort so we were dried off by the time we were supposed to board the boat again. Extra life jacket’s would have been handy (as explained down below). The website also recommends bringing binoculars. They weren’t necessary but I’m sure the kids would have enjoyed using them to see the birds and lighthouse better.
Since we had woken up so early everyone was pretty tired on the way to Dry Tortugas, some slept, some ate, and other’s just tried to focus on not getting sick. On the way back everyone was exhausted from the day– and most people were able to doze off.
What Restrooms Were Available?
I’m not sure what the campers did for restrooms. We used the restrooms on the ferry for our daytrip to Dry Tortugas. They were fine. The island is pretty small so it didn’t take too long to go back to use them when needed.
Where Did We Snorkel?
It’s always interesting looking at a map before you get somewhere. It takes a minute to orient yourself and of course after you’ve been there it makes complete sense. According to the map, we swam in the South Swim Beach and the South Coaling Dock Ruins. Just like the map says the great snorkel area is the dock ruins. The North Coaling Dock Ruins area appears to be closed. Hurricane Irma left considerable damage to the walkway of Fort Jefferson.
We swam at the beach first (like most people) because it’s the most accessible. The best snorkeling was by the pylons. The map doesn’t show how to get out to the pylons and I think that’s why most people didn’t go there (despite it saying it was the great snorkel area). The most straightway of getting there is off a rocky cliff (which we had no interest in doing). There is a path northwest of the pylons that you start at and then you have to swim around the edge/ along the coast to get to the pylons. We swam on the very southern part of South Beach we did not get to the Pylons from Dinghy Beach.
Another note on snorkeling is the time of year we went. We went in May. We didn’t need a wetsuit and it had a slight chill when we were got in but we were fine swimming in the waters. Sand was churned up decreasing our visibility because of the rough current. Later in the summer gets into hurricane season so there would be more rain. I was reading that depending on the tide or time of year jellyfish can be a problem. We were lucky and had no rain, pretty good visibility, relatively warm water and no jellyfish.
Why a Lifejacket Would Have Come in Handy?
Getting to the pylons takes a bit of energy because of the ocean current. My husband and I had our two eldest children to go to the Dock Ruins. They are both great swimmers. My father in law watched our younger two at the South Beach area. One of the kids tired from swimming to the ruins so they returned earlier. This is where a lifejacket would have come in handy. It would have just aided in keeping people out snorkeling longer it’s not just for people who can’t swim. My lifeguarding skills as a teenager came in handy at this point. I took a kid back and Matt stayed with our other child. They got some great Go-Pro video of all the fish and coral they saw at the pylons.
At the South Swim Beach and around the moat there were fish. From the walkway we were all able to see a couple of colorful fish (white, yellow/black and blue) and even a Barracuda. There were shriek’s of delight whenever the kids saw tropical fish. It was fun to hear.
Daytrip to Dry Tortugas National Park
Initially, we thought five hours would be more than enough time for a daytrip at Dry Tortugas National Park but then we realized we could have easily stayed a few more hours. Maybe we should have camped (although packing for that type of trip is a whole other ballgame). We snorkeled at two different locations and walked around the Fort. We had to keep a good pace to do everything.
The views from the top of the Fort were amazing. I had a death grip on my toddler the whole time. The kids loved exploring up and down the stairs and through the different passageways. I can’t believe that they hauled bricks all the way out to Dry Tortugas to make this fort during the Civil War. Even though Dry Tortugas means turtles- we didn’t see any turtles on our daytrip to Dry Tortugas National Park but we had a grand time. We ate at Harpoon Harry’s in Key West upon our return. It was close to where the ferry docked and it hit the spot after a long day in the sun. Have you been to Dry Tortugas? What did you think?
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