Dry Tortugas National Park Guide: Getting There, Snorkeling & Exploring the Fort

Dry Tortugas National Park is a fantastic park 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida. The park can only be accessed via a ferry or seaplane and it is a long journey just to get there. When you get there though, you will be greeted by an amazing national park that preserves a US fort from the 1800s and which has some of the best snorkeling in the state. My dad and I spent a full day here for this video and let us know what you think in the comments.
Ferry booking website - www.drytortugas.com/
Read more at ThroughMyLens.com
Chapters:
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0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Ferry Ride
3:55 - Exploring the Fort
12:49 - Snorkeling
14:15 - Walking the Moat
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[@daisydaisy2104]

This is exactly how all travel vlogs should be.. no stupid selfie cam, straight to the point! Informative narration.. A+

[@maryfeitz4295]

I'm a park ranger and the most remote place I've ever stayed on the job is Mineral King at Sequoia... Although it's so remote that everything is run on propane rather than electricity, it's still not "you can only get here by ferry or seaplane" remote. Can't even imagine!

[@csnide6702]

Back in mid/late 80s , my cousin (who was a charter captain in the Keys) took me there - it was totally empty but us.... just walking around and exploring.... It was perhaps the creepiest place I've ever been.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

The only problem is that it has gotten incredibly expensive for this trip. My husband and I went, some years ago and it was around $150 for both of us. I was in the Keys in December 2021 and thought about going, with my daughter and son in law. It was over $200 for one person which meant a day trip for the three of us would have been $600 plus parking. We didn't go. It is a gorgeous place but I'm so sad that Yankee Fleet has priced this excursion out of most peoples' reach. It's a National Park for God's sake.

[@Marvidsen1973]

Well said 🙌🏻🇺🇸

[@johnnelson8207]

Having camped there twice both times for 4 days/3 nights I'm here to say it is amazing to do. The snorkeling is at it's best before the ferry shows up and all the people scare off the fish.

[@ulical]

As a Floridian, I've been to Fort Jefferson a couple of times as part of vacations to Key West. The thing that's always remained with me about this place is A. The list to get assigned here as a Park Ranger is years long. and B. This is the only place where the National Park Service charges rent to the rangers that live on the park's grounds.

[@trishrobbins9942]

I’ve been there! Spent the ferry ride out chatting with the lady who owns the ferry business. I was fascinated that the ferry facilitates the camping on the island by carrying your gear in a wheel barrow, and every day when the ferry is in port, campers are allowed to use onboard bathing and food facilities. The campers said that at night the crabs are everywhere, including on their tents and it was creepy.

[@luanamendes4767]

We spend 3 nights in Dry tortugas a couple of years back when we lived in Florida. It was such a unique experience and camping there was awesome. Once the boat leaves the island at ~3pm you basically have the entire island to yourself. We brought a kayak out with us and went to the other island that has the lighthouse. There is amazing snorkeling in the back side of that island. It was just a peaceful experience.

[@eh4236]

Went there as a day honeymoon wedding trip back in May 2015. We took the ferry out and back to Key West. My first snorkeling experience was incredible and unforgettable. The sand was bright, white and very hot. While there, I left my prescription eye glasses there near a shady brush and someone found them and returned them to the crew and I got them back the next morning. We did the self tour. The water is the most beautiful I have ever seen. There were a few dive boats with diver down flags nearby. I collect oval stickers so I bought some in the visitors center. We brought our own snorkel gear. We did not walk around the entire fort because it is so big. We did see the entire fort from above when we walked up the stairs. We did not walk around the moat and should have. We were focused on the spending a majority of our time snorkeling and walking on the beach near the bird sanctuary. It was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend going there. Great video explaining this amazing place.

[@evenadamyou]

Watched a longer version of this today... Really enjoyed it.. Makes me want to go again. Thanks so much

[@gmmeier321]

Awesome. We had so much fun there about 12 years ago.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

One of our favorite places … it’s so hard to describe how special it is.

[@leifandsorennordgren1054]

I love that you and your dad have made memories like this - and that your wonderful videos not only document the amazing places you travel to, but snippets of great family history too! Love that!!

[@Roadtosomethingnew1]

Stunning shots of the National Park 😍 its pretty cool that you two got to snorkel

[@ChrisHarden]

Good stuff. Always enjoy watching your videos, Josh. They're so well put together.

[@johneason6540]

You and your dad do fantastic videos. I was just thinking about visiting here in January or February, while everything else is cold or snowed in. Thanks guys. Beautiful ❤️

[@toddgardner8449]

If you can swing it the seaplane is awesome. Flys over islands, shipwrecks, and plenty of shark and turtle spotting. Plus you get there hours before the ferry and leave hours after. With only 11 people on each plane, the place is deserted when you get there.

[@plathiasjenkins1011]

Very nice overview. Definitely piqued my interest! Thanks for taking the time to put this review together.

[@portland40]

we went here a couple of years ago. It is such a fun place to visit!

[@crunchers9]

Great to see you made it to one of the most difficult of our parks to access. I've been numerous times, on the original seaplane, the new DeHavillands, 2 smaller ferries and the new big one. Looks like you sailed on the ferry that usually goes between Key West and Marco Island. On the new ferry they show a movie on the way home. There are great coral heads off the beach you went to, but you need to go in the calm months. April and May are the best and not too hot.

[@twistoffate4791]

Supposedly, one of the Marco Island tour boats is run by my friend's family, last name of Parcelles (or is it Parcells?).

[@bigjimslade6250]

I’ve watched several videos on the Dry Tortugas & this was the best by far.

[@Jeannified]

My mom and I did this trip in the 90's. We took a bright yellow sea plane, which was very cool, though expensive. Worth it though. Glad you and your Dad got to enjoy this beautiful, historic area!

[@IMP3TIGO]

I went there years ago via sea plane which was pretty awesome, landing on the water right next to the fort. Would love to camp there someday.

[@cheriebuss193]

I had no idea this place existed. What great scenery and history. Thank you. You do such a good job guiding and narrating !!

[@jennifersanders1111]

I first watched one of your videos when planning our trip along part of Route 66..so I was excited to see you had one for Dry Tortugas since I am planning that one now...both videos were super informative and interesting and gave me a better insight into what to expect..I love the fact that your dad travels with you! Will be looking for your videos for all my future trip planning!

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Thank u. National park Looks fabulous. Since I’ll never get there it was a great experience. ❤️🇨🇦

[@barbredgreen3403]

So interesting! And I say it again and again, YOU make the best travel videos!

[@markgbrown6767]

We are doing this trip asap! Thanks for the inspiration and information 😁😁

[@romer3]

Very well done. Learned a lot. Lots of good info and pointers. Very helpful!

[@stacyk616]

Amazing video - thanks for sharing and it's now on my list to go visit

[@C-TOS]

Definitely on my bucket list.

[@raykat100]

Great video, very informative! Thanks for making it about the place instead of a series of selfie cam moments.

[@barbaramadson3538]

Took the same trip pre-covid and the boat was packed. But lots of cool places to explore and the snorkeling was great. Would love to go back and camp. Love your videos!. I live in Socal and have visited quite a few places I knew nothing about until I saw your videos. Thanks for putting in all the time and effort to make these videos. Hi to Pops. Awesome that you guys travel together.

[@NomadDogAdventures]

I always look forward to your videos. Informative and fun. Thank you for sharing another nicely put together video.

[@jimgreen5788]

I visited here several summers ago, and it was a great trip, but even if it wasn't that way, I'd still enjoy the fact that I got to a park that's not easily accessible. In that category, I've also been to Isle Royale, Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks. I probably won't make it to Channel Islands, nor the majority of the AK parks. I never knew that Dr. Mudd was involved in any way with Booth, only that he was a doctor who carried out the Hippocratic Oath even in the most extreme set of circumstances. But, Wikipedia told me that you're correct.

[@maiaohe]

Great video. I have never heard of this place and definitely want to visit some day. Thanks for sharing.

[@cybereagle19]

This is awesome, I’ve been planning a camping trip here for some time

[@sharonwisinger5162]

Very interesting I’ll visit when in the area..

[@michellemartinez9485]

To think it’s creation occurred during the early-mid 19th century AND that it’s survived countless hurricanes is a testament to this engineering marvel! As always thanks for the great video highlighting this unique national park. Looking forward to more!!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

I agree, so crazy to think about them building this so long ago and to still look so good!

[@TheKds9999]

Looks amazing

[@johanna7254]

This looks so cool! I'll have to take this trip if I'm ever in FL. Thanks for sharing!

[@rhondaz356]

I have never been there, but it looks marvelous. Thank you for taking us along, virtually. 🌊🌟👏

[@ThroughMyLens]

My pleasure 😊

[@henryi9738]

That was awesome, thank you !

[@viggo1115]

Thank you so much for a very interesting & beautiful video! 💗👍

[@fstein249]

Very interesting and exceedingly well done. Really nice perspective for the everyday travelor.

[@AmbientWalking]

I love this virtual trip that I just took with you. Thanks so much for the new experience! Take care! : )

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@danielciocilteu3545]

TY for making this. As a fan of ancient architecture i wanted to see more detailed shots of the interiors of the fort and the curved rails the guns used to swing on. You video has the most decent shots of the fort both outside and inside and the fact that you stopped to photograph the history panels was a great bonus. For example the one that showed how the water gathering and filtration worked and the fort has a huge water cistern under all of it is something you could never know unless you saw that panel. Great video and great details of the fort! TY!

[@kristinhiser2222]

Great video! I'm camping for 3 nights in June and I cannot wait. It's all I think about!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Oh man, I want to camp there so bad, I bet it would be amazing

[@Verlopil]

What a great video! Thank you for taking this and sharing it. I can't imagine what those who lived there went through. It's beautiful, but if you're not allowed to leave I think it would be horrible.

[@ThroughMyLens]

I agree!

[@williambechmann6547]

Outstanding!!!

[@janwaller3585]

Informative and beautiful vlog❤️

[@awaywego1071]

Great video, very informative, we are currently planning our visit to Dry Tortugas in the summer and this was very helpful!👍🏽

[@marktheunitedstatescitezen185]

Excellent

[@carolinenelson8306]

This is the best video I've seen for Dry Tortugas! I have a trip planned for June and am so excited, especially afters Pops' two thumbs up review.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed it! I hope you have fun on your trip!

[@TheEscapeShroomPerspective]

We loved our time at Dry Tortugas! Your video makes us want to go back!

[@ThroughMyLens]

So glad you liked it as much as we did!

[@3Duncan3]

Very interesting! Love the parting shot too!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks! I thought it was a fun way to end it

[@vg5157]

Great video ,congrats !!

[@charlotteoliver457]

I did this in April 2018 - absolutely recommend as well! It's worth the price. I get motion sick very easily but I always take Bonine and use herbal patches - the day I went the seas weren't too rough but I spent the majority of the time out on the front of the boat which helped me tremendously. 10 out of 10!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you went even with the sea sickness!

[@aprilhiggins433]

Awesome!!!

[@TheTolleRoad]

Really wish I would’ve made it here when I was in Key West. Great video. Really gave a good feel of what the park is like.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@agcorporationofhomeinspect1231]

Great video thanks

[@jeremyjudkins]

For the Dry Tortugas the coal dock ruins are the best places to snorkel. They have the best fish. I really loved it. Snorkeling off with the beach with all the bricks would have been some good views. But like you said it was choppy so would have made it a little more difficult.

[@vanvorst1999]

😎👍 Definitely on my bucket list!

[@ThroughMyLens]

I hope you can visit!

[@djrbignell]

My sister and I made this trip in November 2019 and had a great time. We are both prone to seasickness, so highly recommend that you plan ahead and get the prescription patches for behind the ear. Honestly though, this trip was not as rough a trips to Catalina or Channel Island.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Great tips! I agree it wasn't anywhere as rough as the trips to Channel Islands are

[@alrichardson7027]

Through my Lens😄😄, this was an OUTSTANDING video! You laid it out and showed all of the cool spots. My son and I went to Key West last year and unfortunately the heavy downpours followed us all the way to Key West. However, this summer we are going back to Key West and hopefully the weather will cooperate and get on that boat to Dry Tortugas National Park! We will be driving down from RI. Oh and btw... I followed your video in Alaska and it was EPIC👍👍👍👍👍!

[@guidedmeditation2396]

Excellent video. I didn't realize the fort was so large.

[@Angela-rf7pg]

I camped there in July (2021) and it was such a great trip. The lighthouse wasn't there. They dismantled it and took it to be restored, then returned it a few weeks after I was there.

[@eileennovak1656]

Hi from a Cornhusker.👋 Wish I'd known of this interesting place when I visited Florida; the journey getting there adds to the intrigue & fun. Thanks for the tour. ~Happy Trails~

[@ThroughMyLens]

I agree, it is an adventure to get there!

[@jawtin]

Wooo !! GBR dad hat !!

[@tortugalisa4748]

I loved the five toe shoes😃 They get so comfortable! Great video- I loved the dungeon and then the no railing path up at the top of the fort with that VIEW💙 I'm not an East Coast turtle (tortuga) so I have yet to see this beautiful place and I want to thank you for showing me thru your lens😊💯

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you enjoyed! I will tell my dad you like the shoes!

[@biker5662]

I love your videos!!!

[@hughosborn7292]

Great video !! Thank You !!!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Glad you liked it!

[@vitasd9445]

Great video!!!

[@lowlightevangelist9431]

Excellent video.

[@isabelladavis1363]

So beautiful on our list as well ..speaking of walking at your own risk you need to check out MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK…I was continually amazed that there were no fences in the majority of the park and a seriously LONG BUMPY WAY DOWN… enjoyed the trip we almost did this a decade ago when we visited key west but decided maybe next time…wishing now we had …but through modern technology and you lens we did…thanks for sharing and stay blessed

[@a2i3ltpt48]

Yey! Another video with your pops! How 'bout another long journey once again with him just like what you did in the Route 66 trip? Have a safe travel always! Thank You! Keep it up! Live the life!

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for the comment! I have 3 other long journeys on the channel if you haven't seen them (Alaska, Loneliest Road and New Mexico/Texas)

[@doubleoseven273]

awesome video

[@BrettJ_Online]

My family loved it. We went there at the end of May (2022). This came u;p on our radar the week before we headed to the Florida Keys. We were told the ferry ride books up months in advance. And that it would be highly unlikely that our party of five would get to go, but if we were willing to get there early, we could get in line to see if there were any cancellations. Fortunately, while still at home, I decided, by chance, to check online to see if there was any availability. Surprisingly, there was. So I called the Yankee Freedom company to make sure this wasn't a mistake online. They said the day was suppose to be a maintenace day, but that maintanance had been cancelled and there was room on the ferry and we could book in adavnce. The boat ride was beautiful but mostly uneventful. I did see a sea turtle at one point on the way there. Once there, three of us did the guided tour and the other two began snorkeling. I opted for the tour and it was beautiful and very informative. I really wanted to snorkel, but due to a medical issue, I didn't feel comfortable doing it. However, if I ever get back to the Florida Keys, I wll definitely be heading back to Dry Tortugas and wil definitely do some snorkeling there. Heading back to Key West, the boat ride was rougher and some people on the boat were feeling seasick. The staff was on top of it and was passing out 'barf bags' to those who felt they might need one. Definitley a highlight of our trip to the Florida Keys. Make sure you book Dry Tortugs well ahead of your trip. We simply lucked out getting our tickets only 4 days before the excursion.

[@1royalpalm]

Well, I finally got to see what I didn't get to see 51 years ago! I was in the US Navy stationed (aboard ship) in Key West, Florida, my ship's home port, from June 1970 to July 1971. One cloudy, overcast day my ship steamed over to the fort at Dry Tortugas. However, once we got there the captain said it was just a little too rough (sea) for our liberty boats to be lowered and crew sightseers to go ashore. In our disappointment, all we could do is view the fort from our ship. I enjoyed your informative video. Now I've had a detailed look of Fort Jefferson -- even though it's 51 years late!

[@TurdFergusen]

Thank you for your service.

[@stopngosteve04]

We just went on Saturday and we had an amazing time! You should have walked around Bush key as well. There were so many conch shells everywhere! Id suggest bringing cards or something to play on the trip over. You are right though, pictures do not do it justice! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@seethebutter]

Thank you!

[@ThroughMyLens]

You're welcome!

[@BigOleWhatchamacallit]

Allegedly, Fort Jefferson is “THE” number one most requested destination-job assignment from Park Rangers…🤓 just the sheer magnitude of masonry accomplishment is mind boggling…🤠

[@rickyspanish3668]

I'll b there in October.. 🥳

[@KarenKefauver]

Super helpful!!! I wonder how hard it is to get a spot to camp there.

[@ANonyMouse627]

Excellent snorkeling footage! Do you plan on doing more snorkeling/traveling to tropical destinations?

[@Mr91495osh]

My family was shipwrecked on the Florida reefs in 1843. They were taken to Key West by lighter boat and set up a factory and pineapple farms on different islands in the Keys.

[@rockinroxxi3710]

Great video! I want to dry camp there to catch sunsets and sunrises 🌅

[@ThroughMyLens]

You and me both! Next time

[@johnmarschalk1977]

Wife and I went 2015 (25th anniversary). Think there's a better reef you can swim to but told us it was probably too rough to try so we didn't even look to see where it was. Maybe other side of channel boat came in on. Did same as you, went right to the moat and then left and around corner toward the boat. That was the best, around the pilings. Saw a couple stingrays on bottom so wary about putting feet down. Lots of tropical fish hanging around pilings and a school of about 15 tarpon hanging on the edge where it drops off to deep water. (Big ones like 6 ft long(?) over 100 lbs). Highlight of our trip. On way back Coast guard plane guided up to drifting ail boat to check if anyone on.

[@mutantryeff]

Sweet

[@mercury1979]

Excellent video.. now go find Robert the doll when ur back in key west and have some cold beer and pizza at the no name pub, with a bunch of key deer walking around.

[@manucastrocombr]

I didn't know about this channel! It's so beautiful! One more subscriber! :)

[@ThroughMyLens]

Welcome aboard!

[@miamianz]

i loved this trip , next time im staying over night.

[@marktheunitedstatescitezen185]

Staying there sounds like the Best Option

[@oliverolover]

I love how youre doing all the parks.When you come to Humboldt Redwoods state park in California, you should definatly do the hike to the summit of Kings Peak i the Kings peak national conservation area. just sayin.

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for the tip, sounds awesome!

[@FrankieJ1981]

What a great video!! This place has been on my bucket list for awhile.. How much was the ferry?

[@StacheEsq]

Selfishly glad it's the last video from the trip so we can get back to what really matters...Pops repping the Illini.

[@travelwithpops]

@StacheEsq So funny, I love it!

[@JP-dz7zu]

How long would you estimate it takes to walk around the fort thoroughly? We’re taking the sea plane and have 2.5 hours. Hoping to be able to snorkel for an hour and tour the fort.

[@colinwoods9601]

This is super helpful, thanks! How much are the ferry tickets?

[@Spinosaurus44]

You’re walking the footsteps of Edward Kenway. Must be pretty cool

[@leemowers9395]

Great video, thanks for sharing

[@ThroughMyLens]

Thanks for watching!