Dry Tortugas

We’ve had planned a trip to South Florida for early October 2016 but had to cancel the very last moment as hurricane Mathew hit on the exact date of our flight. As much as we were sad that we had to cancel, as much I’m happy now that we had to do so. And there is a sole reason for that: while re-working our trip plan, we learned about Dry Tortugas National Park and had a chance to include it in our itinerary.

As per our plan, the highlight of the trip was Key West. After leaving Miami, we would drive through Florida Keys, exploring the beaches on the way and stay at the island for a few days. Having it as a base, we would explore the town and also make a day trip to Dry Tortugas. As much fun we had in Miami, as beautiful Florida Keys sceneries were and as charming Key West was, all the impressions combined faded away after our visit to the national park.

Dry Tortugas is an archipelago of small islands which lie within a same-titled national park. The second-largest island in the archipelago, known as a Garden Key, houses historic Fort Jefferson and is the gateway for park visitors.

Given the location far off-shore, getting there is quite an endeavor. Planing the entire trip just to visit Dry Tortugas would be a costly experience on its own, but if you’re already in the area or plan to be there - it’s a pretty easy addition.

There are several ways how one can get to Fort Jefferson, but unless you own a yacht, you’re basically constrained either to a ferry or a seaplane. The former one is less expensive and slower, and the latter one is way pricier and way faster.

Ferry tours take a full day and start early in the morning. One way trip takes about two and a half hours, and one has about four hours at the fort. Lunch is included in the price, and extra drinks are available for purchase. That’s what we did. It’s also possible to camp overnight at the fort, and many describe it as a life-changing experience, but reservations are suggested about a year in advance.

Seaplane tours take about 30 minutes one way and provide breathtaking views of Dry Tortugas from skies. There are half-day and full-day tours that provide you with about two and six hours on the island, respectively. Price is challenging though.

Either way, it’s better to book your trip way in advance, and you’d have to get to Key West first and start from there.

I can only imagine how it feels to get to the island on a seaplane, but a lengthy boat trip definitely makes it feel like a journey. It takes a lot of time, but it’s also somewhat fun to enjoy endless waters as far as sight gets and various wildlife appearing here and there.

We were afraid we would feel exhausted by the time we would reach the island, but to our surprise, it was the opposite of that, and we were full of energy once we stepped on solid ground again.

Upon arrival, we got a lecture on rules and were left on our own. As it’s a “National Park,” there is staff on duty (they actually live there!), and there are places you cannot go to or things you’re not supposed to do (e.g., using drones).

There are several beaches for swimming or snorkeling, and it might as well be a good idea to refresh yourself before exploring the fort. Most of the people do it the opposite way and therefore crowds peak at the fort and at the beaches subsequently.

There are facilities available around the docking area, and you always can return to the ship and rest on board. In late April, the sun was fierce, so hats and sunscreen were essential. That being said, most of the time, we could feel some light breeze, which made it bearable, and there was plenty of shade to chill in throughout the fort.

It takes about two hours to explore the entire fort and walk around every possible walk while taking photos here and there. For those who interested in history or more meticulous about reading all informational signs - it can take even more time than that. As for ourselves, we neither felt bored nor in a rush - the duration of the stay was just about right.

Speaking of beaches, slippers are a must - there are plenty of coral fragments and sharp gravel. I would strongly advise defaulting to getting around shod until you’re sure that the area is safe for your feet.

Water is crystal clear and has a distinct azure tint. We were delighted to have waterproof cases for our smartphones, as many of the photos we took, we took while in water.

Not only water but also flora and fauna are bizarre, and you don’t even have to go snorkeling to see it.

One sample of fauna is worth a special mention as it can easily eat you for breakfast.

I’m not sure if this place looks the same year-round, but late April is definitely a good time for a visit. Even though I’m not a huge fan of camping, I’d seriously consider staying at the fort overnight just to be able to witness sunset and sunrise out there. It must be majestic!

As for a day trip, it’s not a cheap experience at $175 per person (as of 2017), but in my opinion, it’s well worth the money.