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 Almost 70 miles (112.9 km) west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, called the Dry Tortugas. Along with the surrounding shoals and waters, they make up Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is known for its famous bird and marine life, and its legends of pirates and sunken gold. Fort Jefferson, one of the largest coastal forts ever built, is a central feature.
The Tortugas were first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513. Abundant sea turtles or "tortugas" provisioned his ships with fresh meat, but there was no fresh water-the tortugas were dry. Since the days of Spanish exploration, the reefs and shoals of the Dry Tortugas have been a serious hazard to navigation and the site of hundreds of shipwrecks.
U.S. military attention was drawn to the keys in the early 1800's due to their strategic location in the Florida Straits. Plans were made for a massive fortress and construction began in 1846, but the fort was never completed. The invention of the rifled cannon made it obsolete. As the military value of Fort Jefferson waned, its pristine reefs, abundant sea life and impressive numbers of birds grew in value. In 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt set aside Fort Jefferson and the surrounding waters as a national monument. The area was redesignated as Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992 to protect both the historical and natural features.
Activities:
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Visitors can tour the Visitor Center in Fort Jefferson or participate in
ranger-conducted activities.
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Bird and wildlife watching. The Dry Tortugas are renowned for spring bird migrations and tropical bird species.
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Picnicking.
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Salt water sport fishing.
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Snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving. Patches of healthy coral reef, some easily accessible from Garden Key, are snorkeling havens.
Fees:
Entrance - $5 per visitor ages 17 and older
Camping - $3 per person per night
Getting There:
There are no roads to Dry Tortugas National Park. It can only be reached by boat or
seaplane. Ferry and seaplane transportation to the park is offered
from Key West. Private pleasure boats are welcome, but must be fully self-sufficient. U.S. Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey Chart #11438 is necessary for navigation to the Dry Tortugas.
Ferry transportation - For ferry schedules, prices, and reservations, contact:
Yankee
Freedom II: phone 800-634-0939 or 305-294-7009.
Seaplane transportation - For schedules, prices, and reservations, contact
Key West Seaplane Adventures: (305) 942-9777.
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