The Best Adventurous Things to Do in Dry Tortugas

Dry Tortugas National Park is reachable only by boat or plane. You can bring your private boat, but make sure to check in at the visitor's centre on Garden Key to gain entry. Alternatively, the Yankee Freedom III ferry offers daily round trips from Key West, leaving around 8 a.m. and coming back at 5:15 p.m. For a quicker, scenic option, seaplane tours are available, offering morning, afternoon, or full-day excursions. Whichever way you go, prepare for an unforgettable journey to this beautiful, isolated park.

Dry Tortugas National Park is a unique destination, and timing is key to making the most of your trip. Spring and fall are ideal seasons to visit, offering mild weather and clear skies, perfect for exploring the islands' natural beauty. Spring brings migratory birds and prime snorkelling opportunities, while fall offers cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and fewer crowds. Come winter, expect more rain and choppy seas, while summer's heat and humidity can make outdoor activities a bit of a challenge. Plan ahead, and you'll find the best time to visit and fully appreciate this remote park.

Loggerhead Key, the largest island in the Dry Tortugas, gets its name from its population of loggerhead sea turtles. The island features diverse wildlife, the Dry Tortugas Light lighthouse, and the remains of the Windjammer shipwreck, which sank in 1907. While Loggerhead Key is open to the public during the day, there’s no public transportation, and access requires a private boat, kayak, or canoe.

Bush Key, an undeveloped island, serves as a breeding ground for unique bird species. It’s accessible in late fall and early winter when nesting season ends, offering a trail for visitors to explore. The island’s landscape shifts with the tides, sometimes connecting to Garden Key by a land bridge and other times requiring a kayak or canoe for access.

Garden Key is a popular snorkelling spot, surrounded by waters teeming with marine life. Large species such as barracudas, groupers, and sharks inhabit the remains of former Navy warehouses and piers, while colourful damselfish, angelfish, and parrotfish swim around the coral heads at the swimming area’s edge. The variety of sea life makes Garden Key a snorkelling paradise.

Scuba diving enthusiasts can explore the reefs around the Dry Tortugas, but the Windjammer shipwreck off Loggerhead Key is a highlight. The wreck of the Avanti, a steel-hulled ship that sank in 1907, sits in 20 feet of water. Over a century underwater, the ship has become a vibrant habitat for coral, reef fish, and large grouper, offering an exciting underwater adventure.

Dry Tortugas National Park offers four swimming beaches surrounding the visitor centre on Garden Key: South Swim Beach, Seaplane Beach, Dinghy Beach, and North Swim Beach. These beaches provide serene spots for swimming, strolling, or sunbathing. The soft sand, palm trees, and crystal-clear waters make these some of the most isolated and beautiful beaches in the country, perfect for capturing stunning photos.

Recreational fishing enthusiasts can try their luck in Dry Tortugas, targeting grouper, snapper, kingfish, and tuna. A Florida licence is mandatory, and fishing is permitted in specific areas around Garden Key, including Seaplane Beach, the main dock, and western finger piers. Fishing charters from Key West are also available, offering an exciting day out at sea.

Camping provides the only way to stay overnight in Dry Tortugas National Park, offering the chance to witness breathtaking sunsets and stargaze on a secluded beach. Garden Key has ten first-come, first-served camping sites, each accommodating three 2-person tents. An overflow area and group site are also available. Keep in mind this is a primitive experience, requiring all supplies, including food and water, to be brought in, making it an adventure for seasoned campers.

For those seeking adventure on the water, kayaking or canoeing around the Dry Tortugas provides an exhilarating experience. Paddle around the islands, exploring secluded coves and discovering marine life in the clear waters. Adventurous kayakers can travel between islands, such as from Garden Key to Bush Key or Loggerhead Key. The ability to navigate the islands at your own pace makes kayaking or canoeing an excellent way to explore the area.

Built in the mid-1800s with 16 million bricks, Fort Jefferson was intended to protect key shipping lanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite never being completed or armed, it became a military prison during the Civil War, holding captured deserters. Advances in weaponry rendered the fort obsolete, and the Army abandoned it in 1874. Its storied past makes it a fascinating destination for history buffs.

Garden Key, home to Fort Jefferson, is the second-largest island in the Dry Tortugas, encompassing 14 acres. Here, you'll find the park headquarters, visitor centre, and campground. All ferries and seaplanes from Key West dock at Garden Key, while visitors arriving by private boat check in at the visitor centre to gain admission.