Everything you need to know about taking the ferry to the Dry Tortugas!
The Dry Tortugas National Park is a stunning destination that should be on everyone’s bucket list. We were thrilled to finally make our way there on a recent road trip through south Florida – and let me tell you, the photos simply don’t do it justice. This one-of-a-kind park, which is almost entirely underwater, is unlike any other national park we’ve ever visited.
The expansive 100 square miles encompasses seven islands, each with their own unique charm, with Garden Key being the largest. To get there you have several options, but we highly recommend taking the ferry to Dry Tortugas. Go ahead and plan your trip now, so you too can experience the awe-inspiring beauty of this oasis tucked away in the Florida Keys. Trust us, once you’ve been there, you’ll never forget it!
Getting to the Dry Tortugas from Key West
The Dry Tortugas are located in the Gulf of Mexico about 70 miles west off the coast of Key West. Even though 99% of the park is underwater, they were named “dry” because there is no fresh water source around, and “tortugas” by Ponce de Leon due to all of the huge sea turtles in the area. The only ways to get here are by air or by sea.
Because of the remote location it is one of the least visited national parks, which makes a visit here that much more inviting!
Should I take a sea plane or the ferry to Dry Tortugas?
Now that you have decided you would like to visit the Dry Tortugas- and we highly recommend you do!- you have to choose how you are going to get there. There are definite benefits to taking either a chartered seaplane or the ferry tour. We found the ferry to be much more cost effective than a seaplane (less than half the cost). Also the ferry holds 175 people, so you can travel with a larger group than on a seaplane. On the ferry your breakfast and lunch are included, and there is an on-board cocktail bar and grill!
Key West Seaplane Adventures is the only company offering seaplane service to the Dry Tortugas. They offer half- and full-day excursions with narrated tours, flying over shipwrecks and giving you a bird’s eye view of sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles! The flight is quicker than the ferry, taking only 40 minutes to get to the park. You must bring your own food but a cooler with ice and waters is provided.
Note: If you wish to camp on the Dry Tortugas, you must take the ferry or a private boat. The seaplane does not allow for drop-offs or one way flights.
We always recommend getting an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. On this South Florida road trip in particular we visited 3 national parks, some of which we entered twice. The pass paid for itself and then some on one trip! If you are planning on visiting more than 2 parks a year, the pass is definitely worth your investment.
Note: When you book the ferry tickets online you will pre-pay the national park entrance fee, just show them your parks pass when you check in to board the ferry and they will refund you the park admission!
The Yankee Freedom Ferry
The Yankee Freedom III is a high speed, state-of-the-art catamaran and is the only authorized tour operator traveling to the national park. It is a huge vessel, offering inside air-conditioned seating as well as covered open air spaces above deck. There are three restrooms, and heated fresh water showers when you are ready to re-board. We were truly impressed with how stable and clean the ferry was!
Travel tip: We recommend getting a seat in the open back deck on the way out to the islands, where you can watch the sunrise and see all the sea life. It is still cool in the morning and the sun is behind you.
On the return trip, grab a spot at one of the inside tables to enjoy air conditioning! You can order food and drinks in the galley on the way back to Key West, and it is a nice time to relax in the cushioned booths. (I took a nap, David watched all the dolphins and sea turtles we passed).
Ferry Location and Parking
The Yankee Freedom is located in the Key West Ferry Terminal, 100 Grinnell Street, at the Historic Seaport. There is a city parking garage directly next to the terminal at 300 Grinnell Street. It has covered parking and you pay an affordable daily fee. We thought this was such a good location right near Duval Street that we parked here again the next day when we went out in for a night in Key West!
Note: It is extremely difficult to find free parking in Key West! Your best bet is metered parking or a parking garage.
Cost for the Ferry to Dry Tortugas
At the time of booking the cost for the Dry Tortugas ferry was $190/adult and $135/child. There are active military and senior discounts available. Considering all that you get with your fee, it is definitely worth it! Breakfast and lunch are included, as well as all of your snorkeling equipment, four hours in the Dry Tortugas, and a guided tour of the fort.
Check in at the ferry terminal is 7:00AM and you arrive back in Key West at 5:30PM. It was a long day but we had a blast! On the return trip to Key West the galley bar and grill opens up for cocktails, sodas, frozen drinks and snacks like pizza, hamburgers, and pretzels.
Top Things to do at Dry Tortugas National Park
The Dry Tortugas is a snorkeler’s paradise, offering some of the best underwater exploration in North America thanks to its clear, shallow waters and thriving marine life. This remote park is also home to Fort Jefferson, a massive fortress built in the 1800’s as a U.S. coastal defense system. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, or swimming in the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, making it an ideal spot to cool off after touring the fort.
Where to Stay when Visiting the Dry Tortugas
Since the ferry is stationed in Key West and you have to arrive early in the morning, this is the most convenient place to stay. We camped right outside of Key West, at the Sugarloaf Key/Key West KOA. It took about half an hour to get to the terminal. We highly recommend you find a B&B in Key West the nights before and after your trip, as it is a very long day in the sun!
Key West has so many things to do that you won’t want to miss out on!
What to pack when taking the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park
- Bring a waterproof camera such as a GoPro, there is so much marine life to see and capture in photos!
- You can bring your phone although cell service ends pretty quickly after the ferry leaves Key West. This way however you can contact your ride when you return if necessary. And I always use this waterproof phone case for protection from the wet clothes and towels in your bag!
- Wear sunscreen, pack it with you, and remember to reapply. The sun is super strong down in south Florida, and you will sweat more than you think. We love this one because it is reef friendly and zinc based- no more chemicals! And don’t forget your lips, they need protection too!
- Wear your bathing suit, UPF clothing, sunglasses, and a good hat. Most likely you will spend all day in the sun and you need to protect your skin! These glasses are lightweight and polarized, I have them in several colors!
- Pack a light change of clothes for the return trip so you aren’t in a wet bathing suit for over 2 hours on the ride home.
- Bring beach towels to dry off after swimming or snorkeling. The water is too gorgeous to not get wet!
- Bring a lightweight beach bag or even large backpack to hold everything listed. You have to bring all of your belongings with you off of the ferry so you need something you can carry around all day.
- There are ice cold water filling stations aboard the ferry, so bring a reusable water bottle with you to stay hydrated! This one is perfect for travel and keeps your drinks super cold.
- Pack some snacks in your bag for in after lunch, all that hiking and snorkeling will make you hungry! Also bring a credit card for the galley grill on the trip home just in case.
- Don’t forget your photo ID for boarding the ferry!
- If you are prone to motion sickness, pack some non-drowsy Dramamine. Our trip out and back was completely smooth, but we were told that is definitely not always the case! There is nothing that can ruin a trip faster than being sick to you stomach, so we bring this travel pack everywhere!
- There is a small gift shop in Fort Jefferson that is CASH ONLY, so bring cash if you plan on doing a little shopping!
- We brought our own snorkel gear because it is fitted just how we like it, but if you don’t want to carry this around all afternoon the ferry does provide free snorkel fittings and rentals.
Itinerary and Tips for a ferry trip to the Dry Tortugas
Since you only get one day in the Dry Tortugas (unless you are camping overnight), the plan is to maximize your time here. The ferry takes about 2 and a half hours to get to the park from Key West, and there are tours beginning right as you arrive at 11AM. Here is our recommendation:
- As soon as you disembark, find the shorter tour that will give you a brief history of the park. There is a longer 60 minute walking tour if you so desire, we opted for the brief overview. There are interesting points and facts about Fort Jefferson and why this was such a key location to defend!
- Find a shaded spot to park your towels and bags on one of the beaches.
- Note: You are not allowed to leave any bags on the ferry so whatever you bring for the day you have to carry around with you. However, with so few people visiting the park you are able to leave your things in a central location and you don’t really have to worry about theft.
- After the tour head back aboard the ferry and grab your boxed lunch, ours was catered by Jimmy Johns! Take your lunch to your spot and enjoy eating al fresco.
- Tip: Lunch is served from 11AM to 1PM, and they do offer gluten free options if you tell the cook in the galley ahead of time! Breakfast was a fresh bagel (not GF) with cream cheese, coffee, and a fruit cup.
- Grab your snorkels and hit the beach. We stayed near the South swim beach and snorkeled along the moat wall for about an hour.
- Go back to the ferry to take a quick, heated freshwater rinse and change into dry clothes in the nearby changing area.
- Spend the next hour touring the fort. Make sure you get those gorgeous vista views along the top wall!
- If you have time and it is available, trek over to Bush Key. There is a small land bridge connecting the two keys, and you can walk the entire 1 mile loop around the key.
- Note: Bush Key is off limits from February to September as a bird sanctuary during nesting season, but you can still see it from the top level of the fort.
- Head back to the ferry at 2:30 and secure a spot inside. The ferry departs at 3PM sharp!
Pro Travel Tip: The biggest tip I can give you is to book your tickets as far in advance as you can! We basically planned our South Florida road trip around our Dry Tortugas tickets because this was a bucket-list item for us. We did add a few day cushion in Key West afterwards in case of inclement weather. The ferry does not refund your ticket price but you can reschedule if the ocean is too rough, which does not happen often thankfully!
Happy travels!
I can’t believe I never heard about this place! it’s absolutely fantastic! the water is so blue! 😍 It reminded me Malta Blue Lagoon! I would love to spend there all day and then catching the sunset from the boat!
Thanks for sharing it! So inspiring!
It is so beautiful, and now we want to see this Malta Lagoon you’re mentioning! 🙂
Wow, Dry Tortugas National Park is definitely on my list! Would love to go snorkeling there.
I would love to take the ferry to dry Tortugas! Dream!
I can’t wait to visit! It looks so beautiful 😻
We so want to return to the Keys and visit Dry Tortugas National Park. So beautiful! Greatly appreciate this guide!
You will absolutely love it!
Wow! It looks absolutely stunning! Definitely added to my list!
The ferry honestly sounds like a great leisurely way to tour the area in and of itself, I think I’d prefer it over the seaplane as well! Thanks for the advice 🙂 Also WOW that water is blue! So pretty!
The waters look incredibly blue and inviting. Not sure my hubby could handle the 2.5 hour ferry ride though, so we might have to opt for the plane..
Completely understand that! I’d like to experience both, maybe next time. 🙂