Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

So I don't want anyone to think this is a bad place to go because it's not. It just didn't fit well for our family. The crew was phenomenal and very caring. My wife and one son both got pretty sea sick, despite our precautions. The staff are very prepared for such occasions. The beaches are nice enough and the water was clear blue. We discovered we don't care for snorkeling either, so we just enjoyed swimming near the shore. I did notice some glass on the north beach, but there's not much anyone can do about the inconsiderate people of this world. The fort was neat enough and we enjoyed the sunny warm weather. All that being said we could have spent the day at Fort Zachary Taylor for a fraction of the cost. $8 for a family of four with a car and you can come and go all day without having to pay again. $650ish for our family of four to go to the Tortugas plus we paid $32 to park for the day. I don't think the Tortugas cost is necessarily unreasonable considering they feed you twice for no extra cost and it's a 2½ hour ferry ride. The two forts are similar enough in my eyes and we already knew the beach at fort zachary was gorgeous. We thought about not going to the Tortugas but would have had to pay anyway at that point. Plus we would have always wondered if we didn't go. Just wanted everyone to know our experience if you're questioning whether or not you want to go or not.

The park is awesome. The history of this national park is truly inspiring. The ingenuity of the engineers is really incredible. Snorkeling is ok (of you've been snorkeling in the Caribbean before, this will be a bit of a disappointment), but you'll see some fun stuff. The fort is really the star of this show.

Awesome tour guide, great snorkeling. Walk the wall, it is like a fish tank. Nice full day excursion with being back at Mallory for sunset! Can't beat it

So glad we took a day out of our Key West visit to come here! We took the ferry, next time we will get there by sea plane. Breathtaking colors! Beautiful water! Massive endeavor! Will never forget our visit here!

Beautiful and peaceful place, great for snorkeling! Plenty of wild birds and fish. One of the most unique national parks for sure!

The amazing beauty and tranquility of this place is undescribable. We enjoyed ourselves immensely and would recommend this once in a lifetime trip.

My oh my, Dry Tortugas is one of the coolest, most rad incredible view-tastic experiences I had EVER been able to do! It’s difficult to put into words just how beautiful and marvelous this place is. I’m not sure any would ever do it justice except to just see it yourself.

Fort Jefferson is quite the wonder to behold. Just imagine a colossal fort out in the middle of a giant body of water completely by itself- and you might visualize half of its true phenomenon. The water surrounding it is just a stunning shade of light blue, and walking the moat path is a feeling so special. You can also walk all through the fort (including the roof!) and see how it used to be a prison. Not going to lie- even in the middle of the day it was super eery and gave me the creeps to imagine being trapped here for years upon years.

There are several ways to get to Dry Tortugas- you can plane in, ferry, or if you happen to have your own yacht/ boat you can dock there. But since most of us don’t have even close the money to own a yacht, we booked a trip through Yankee Freedom III, which I would highly recommend looking into.

I am seriously so in love with my first experience at Dry Tortugas and am already dreaming about coming back. An entire day trip wasn’t even long enough for me. Even if once is enough for you- this is an experience you’ll never forget. I know I won’t!

I didn't even know this was a national park until my friend found out I was in Key West and suggested it. Luckily there were still seats for the next day's boat. It took us a couple hours to get to the park, but the trip was fun because I saw a lot of fishes and sea turtles. And the park itself was amazing. But remember to bring snorkeling equipment with you. And please use ocean friendly sun lotion to protect the ecosystem.

Florida’s best national park by far. Take a two hour ferry ride out to this little island and structure. A bit disturbing history is out shined by the natural beauty that surrounds you while on the island. Enjoy one day here or camp overnight

This has been on my bucket list for some time. The only regret was not staying and camping there. I will gladly make a return visit. Part of the attached key is closed off until Sept due to bird nesting. So I plan to revisit when it is open.

It was beautiful but not much to do once there. You can only look at so much given the size of the island. Unfortunately the lighthouse had been shipped off and much of the fort was under renovation when we were there. The sand was rough and waters kind of cloudy for snorkeling. Overall I am glad to say I’ve been but definitely a one and done type of experience.

If you dont like crowds and can afford it. Take the 8 am plane here. No Crowds! We spent 2 hours here while it was empty. When the ferry showed up. Wow, much different. Snorkeling was cloudy and did not see anything. We are experienced and it was not any good. An amazing fort and stories!

See tips below. Very nice ferry (do not expect social distancing but masks required and enforced), wonderful crew, the fort was simply awesome set in beautiful aquamarine waters-we almost ran out of time between snorkeling, swimming and fort. The ferry is kind of crowded but once you hit the Park it is not. TIPS: If you are snorkeling, do it first, then shower/change (take change of clothes) /get lunch (sub sandwich is average), then do the fort self-tour. We took our own snorkel gear so we did not have to wait in line for it. Take small soft sided cooler with beverages, snacks, and self-made breakfast sandwiches as all they provide during COVID for breakfast is bagel, yogurt and fruit, coffee. Arrive early for check-in. You are given a number at check-in and that determines your boarding number and the first to board get to pick seats, etc. Have Fun!

Beautiful! Sleeping at anchor you can hear the waves crashing on the reef all night and watch the tarpon swim under the boat if you turn on the underwater lights. Bring bug spray as it can get buggy on shore if there is no wind at dusk. Walk around the entire fort on top of the moat wall. Go snorkeling or sit on the beach. Amazing sunsets over Garden Key Light. Such a picturesque and historic spot.
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Absolutely love this National Treasure!
Would absolutely love to camp some time, but what I was hoping for was an option for camping on the Inside in the center grassy area. I wish this was an option to adults.could make the fort some good money!
Anyways.always a good time and always great tour guides. Definitely reccomend giving yourself time to snorkel and also see the fort entirely.steeped in history, and due to location it's a rare treat!

What a place! Perhaps one of the most unique NPs in existence: remote, small, raw and simple and absolutely beautiful. I camped 1 night and regret not staying at least one more. Camping is primitive only but the boat is there 10am-3pm every day and serves as restaurant, shower, bathroom, lounge, AC, etc. The fort is open sunrise to sundown and even that rule is flexible once the boat and day visitors leave, it is quite a place to see. The water is pristine and you will see plenty of purple coral, sharks, fish, wildlife, so snorkeling is a real treat. The night sky is unbelievable. Perhaps my favorite thing was seeing the F18s practicing dogfighting in the morning and evenings right in front of the park.