Go Snorkeling at Garden Key. They have snorkel equipment that you can use while you are there. Drive, walk or ride your bicycle aboard one of our three ferries. But eventually we could see the island. The Yankee Freedom 3 is a large catamaran so this was not smooth sailing. If not do the walking tour at Fort Zach to get a sample of that type of history. It was so cool to see. At 3 pm, the ferry departs Dry Tortugas National Park, and you will arrive in Key West at 5:30 pm. Breakfast Lunch. The Yankee Freedom provides daily ferry service from Key West, Florida to the Dry Tortugas. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. WOW! Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. We were on the first flight at 8 am. If you can, try to do Dry Tortugas but that's a whole day while you're down there. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. A:Reservations are non-refundable except in cases of trip cancellation by Yankee Freedom. Q: How do I make a new day trip reservation? NOTE: we do not provide the kayaks, only transportation. Private charter boat is your other option. Provided by Touchpoints ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96967216', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Key West check the wait list daily and check in at the on ground ticket booth daily as well. Photos from the Flight to Dry Tortugas National Park. On the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park both my son and I got really sick, but on the jet boat it was a breeze. The Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry departs daily from Key West, promptly at 8am. I was iffy upon seeing the initial cost but it looks phenomenal and highly likely Ill do it. - See 2,588 traveler reviews, 2,466 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. ; If you hold a National Parks Pass, show it at either check-in, and the entrance fee will be deducted or not charged with transportation costs.The pass must be shown in person with a valid ID. Check-in time is at 7 am (6:30 am for campers). Duration to : 2.5 hours each way. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Our website uses cookies. Thankfully the National Park limits visitors to 175 people, so there is only one ferry. If you want a day trip you can book a ferry to Bimini or Grand Bahamas from Ft Lauderdale and come back the same day. Has anyone ever had luck getting there at 6:00 and going standby? Dry Tortugas Ferry | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park. The seaplane disadvantage is you only get about 2-1/2 hours on the island for the basic fare vs. about 4-1/2 hours with the ferry option. Read all of our articles about Florida in our Florida Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112876149', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flights or plan poorly, but the odd are very poor. Thanks for the helpful guide on Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. There is no other way to do it. The journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. Going by ferry turns your visit into a full day experience and most of that will be spent on board the ferry. The second half of the Dry Tortugas Ferry takes you 70 miles through the Gulf to Fort Jefferson National Park, a Civil War-era fort used as a prison. Options for Dry Tortugas National Park if ferry sold out, Re: Options for Dry Tortugas National Park if ferry sold out, Get answers to your questions about Key West, What are some good books to read during a trip to Key West. Open 8am-8pm. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. However, we were NOT ready to leave when it was time to go. Please note that the National Park Service does not keep a . For a list of approved private charters, visit the National Park Service website. So join us and take in the sights in a private rental boat from Boatsetter. http://www.travelthruhistory.tv/explore-dry-tortugas-fort-jefferson-key-west-fl/ - Things to do in Key West, FL. Where should we stop to eat and what should we see on the drive to Key West? Yankee Freedom: Wow! However, that will be more $ than buying every seat on the seaplane. General availability can be checked by going to https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/ and clicking on the Book Now button. Tip 3: Be sure to walk around the tip of the peninsula. Get on the Yankee Freedom III ferry waiting list now. Next we headed to the top and walked around the edge of the fort and the views just kept getting better and better. Traveling by sea plane is the quickest way to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. We ate breakfast right away and then took seats outside of the deck of the ship so we could take in the views. The seven tiny islands of Dry Tortugas are a vital layover for migrating birds traveling between South America and the United States making a staple in the Great Florida Birding Trail. Rescheduling: Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most unique destinations in the entire U.S., as it combines history and a pristine marine ecosystem into one unforgettable experience. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. One of the workers there did have dogs (if you camp or visit for the day, you cannot bring dogs). If you love Key West snorkeling, then Dry Tortugas National Park offers some of the best snorkeling and skin diving in North America, just 70 miles from Key West and the Florida Keys. The Dry Tortugas are a group of small islands composed of coral reefs located in the Gulf of Mexico at the end of the Florida Keys, United States. If you have your own boat, you can visit Dry Tortugas National Park without taking the ferry or seaplane. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Explore and learn of its history with one of our They work 10 days on the island and then they are off for 6, so they can head into Key West to restock and catch a movie or something. All rights reserved. . During your voyage, youll enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande. We use cookies to give you the best experience. View our ADA Accessibility Policy. Take the official Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry, the Yankee Freedom, to visit Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National park. Experience today the simplicity and comfort of travel. The only thing is there is no running water on the island so you have to come prepared. We (2 couples) will be in Key West in March. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. from my point of view don't hesitate to send me a pm. use of snorkeling gear. If you take the seaplane, not only do you get to Dry Tortugas National Park quickly, and have the chance to arrive before the ferry, but the flight is incredibly scenic. Those days will not be available for reservations. They are located 70 miles west of Key West. Julie Last updated: January 31, 2023 United States 2 Comments. LEARN MORE Secluded Beaches Secluded Beaches You should dress warmly if you're doing a Hells Canyon jet boat anytime but summer, but dress in layers. The ferry arrived at 10:20, and it got a lot more crowded. NATIONAL PARKS IN FLORIDA: Learn more about the national parks in Florida in our guides to the Evergladesand Biscayne National Park. It was the right decision. We got amazing pictures when we were there and we kept telling ourselves to put the camera away. This product hasn't received any reviews yet. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The snorkeling is actually better at the reef. The ferry departs at 8:00 am and it takes 2.5 hours to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. We visit Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas on the show. If you're early risers be there at boarding time by 7:30am & you'll know by 8am when they leave if there's any open spots. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96964966', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane is way out of our budget. Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Key West Seaplane Adventures is the only company that flies to Dry Tortugas National Park. The minute we hit the open water it was rocky. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the 100-square mile Dry Tortugas National Park is sited 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West. *The Park Service will collect a campsite fee of $15 to $30 per night based on the size of your party. If you return you'll know to book early. #truth, 11 East Coast National Parks You Want To Visit This Year, 29 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama. If you love civil war and military history this is a must. Theres something for everyone! A luxurious, state-of-the-art catamaran, docked in Key West, the Yankee Freedom will transport you to the famous Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park. You have to go to the ferry in the morning when they open at 7AM and there is a wait list. 28 days ago. Guess what, we are NOT a quiet family. They are not going to wait for you. It looks absolutely amazing. Try and find a way to take the seaplane -it is a once in a lifetime trip IMO, Agree with Louise M .. the seaplane is much more than just transportation it is imperative to take the first (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Its crown jewel, the historic Fort Jefferson, was once used as a prison during the Civil War. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96965502', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight in the morning or last in the afternoon though. Seriously this is one of those locations to add to your bucket list. Please read my disclosure for more info. Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the NPS and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. But you are on a 2 and a half hour boat ride there and back (its 70 miles off of Key West), plus they feed you breakfast and lunch. *Prices from January 2021. Getting to the Dry Tortugas by Ferry The Yankee Freedom is the ferry that connects Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. The days are delightfully warm in Key West and the Florida Keys. Q: Do you have a waiting list I can put my name on? The best flights are the first and last flights of the day, when you will visit the park with fewer people. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know on how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. That is why I am considering this year to do the three night camping option. Key West Seaplane Charters Morning, Afternoon or Full Day Tours to the park on a seaplane The Yankee Freedom Ferry Take a high-speed catamaran for day and camping trips. Unfortunately, I was an idiot and didn't book reservations for the ferry to Dry Tortugas early enough. It's the stuff that bucket lists are made of. At the galley, you can purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, ice cream, and snacks. We visit Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas on the show. PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you plan to camp at Dry Tortugas National Park, you will have to take the ferry or a private boat to get here. If you normally do take it you should really consider taking it before you get on. Because of these special requirements, you will need to speak with a reservation agent to determine availability of kayak transport for your dates of interest. This is a very popular trip that will sell out weeks in advance. Another side note on the Fort, when it was used as a prison during the civil war, Dr. Samuel Mudd, an American physician was imprisoned at the fort on the Dry Tortugas for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. I couldn't find much recent information on this so hoping someone on here might have some current info. We took the ferry over. I`ve been dreaming to go there for a long time. On average, the warmest months are May, June, July, August, and September. Saint Augustine is pretty cool too- a national park/iconic . By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. The most popular ways to get to Dry Tortugas National Park are the Yankee Freedom ferry and Key West Seaplane Adventures, but you can also get there using a permitted personal boat or a private charter. We headed for the moat wall. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Next time we go back we also want to check out Loggerhead Key. Before we left we walked over to check out the tent camping area and the other beach area where people were snorkeling. Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and is accessible by boat and seaplane only. Ideally we would recommend you go and camp for a few nights. Re: Options for Dry Tortugas National Park if ferry sold out 4 years ago Save Get on the Yankee Freedom III ferry waiting list now. Due to space constraints, the Yankee Freedom is happy to accommodate campers wishing to stay up to 4 days (3 nights). Unfortunately, when we were there it was a little cooler and the water was really cloudy from all the storms. Fully Narrated 45-min. Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! We use cookies to give you the best experience. PJK is correct of course unless if any in your party is a annual park pass holder or a lifetime pass holder in that case, the seaplane will accept that . There will be cancelations but how many it is not clear this far out. If we were going to camp, we would have brought the kids with and dealt with the 2 1/2 hour boat ride. There are only two ways to get to Dry Tortugas: boat or seaplane. A sign-up sheet will be available at 6:30am. Undoubtedly the most exciting way to get out to The Dry Tortugas, traveling by seaplane is also the fastest way to get there and gives you the most time on the island. LEARN MORE. At that point, we only had 30 minutes left on Dry Tortugas before flying back to Key West. We really enjoyed our time in the Dry Tortugas and wished we had more than two and a half hours. It is accessible only by boat or seaplane. This secluded park is located about 70 miles from Key West, and it definitely deserves a spot as one of the best places to . Then you may have to arrive very early the morning of to grab any possible seats that are canceled at the last minute. Cannot wait to do it again!!! . Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park Experience a journey like no other aboard the Yankee Freedom. We recommend you plan to get there early like 6:30am ish just in case you run into any issues on your way there. Neither of these locations are close to Key West. 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