View our ADA Accessibility Policy. Seriously this is one of those locations to add to your bucket list. - See 5,527 traveler reviews, 4,181 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. The 2.5 hours in Dry Tortugas National Park goes by extremely fast, and the entire time Tim and I felt like we were in a race. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. The beach itself is a palm-lined paradise, where . It was crazy! ! 3.1 Snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas. If you have any questions about how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, let us know in the comment section below. All prices are in USD. So, if you want to visit the highlights of Dry Tortugas National Park and still have plenty of time in Key West, the half day tour, particularly the first time slot of the day, is a great option. I`ve been dreaming to go there for a long time. FLORIDA KEYS: Plan your Florida Keys road trip with our Florida Keys Itinerary, which has suggestions on how to road trip from Miami to Key West. Q: Do you have spaces for xx/xx/xxxx? The ride can be very choppy so if you are prone to motion sickness this may not be the best way to . (305) 783-2430 Home Key West Fishing Charters Key West Deep Sea Fishing Key West Flats Fishing Key West Boat Rentals Dry Tortugas Charter Trips Key West Seaplane Adventures provides snorkel gear and coolers with ice and water or soft drinks. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. This will be collected by Park Rangers during your stay. It felt like we had the place to ourselves. Ferry ticket includes entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. Dry Tortugas Ferry $169.00 Departure Date: AFTER BOOKING PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM RESERVATION (305) 222-1199: Quantity: Product Description Dry Tortugas Ferry | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park Departure 8:00 am Return Departure 3:00pm Return Time 5:30 Duration to : 2.5 hours each way. Half Day Seaplane + National Park Fee: $386 Yankee Freedom Ferry (includes the National Park Fee): $200 Price Difference: $186. At the heart of the Dry Tortugas sits Fort Jefferson, a . 3.3 Fishing in the Dry Tortugas. There are also private charters that can take you to the Dry Tortugas. They are located 70 miles west of Key West. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. All rights reserved. The ferry is your only "cheap" option. Plan a full day for your visit, and be prepared to spend the day in awe of the natural beauty of the park. Before your visit, you will need to get a permit. No Hidden Fees. Theodore, The wait list opens at 6:30AM and people are sometimes there as early as 6AM forming a line to get on the list. If you are coming just to go to the Dry Tortugas, then you should stay in Key West. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. Q: Do you have a waiting list I can put my name on? We've done it twice, I loved it so much the first time I couldn't wait to do it again. Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or by seaplane. Going by ferry turns your visit into a full day experience and most of that will be spent on board the ferry. Ferry details: Address: 100 Grinnell St, Key West, FL 33040 Contact number: (305) 294-7009 Prices: $190 for adults and $135 for children (4 to 16 years old) Tickets can be booked online directly with the Yankee Freedom III Seaplane to Dry Tortugas From Key West Airport, you can reach the national park via seaplane. The website does a great job explaining the things you should bring with if you plan to camp. Powered by Mai Theme, 12 Best Things To Do In Crystal River FL You Shouldnt Miss. The Dry Tortugas has kind of been loved to death these days. However, if you would like to standby for the trip to the Dry Tortugas in case there are no-shows, you must go to the Ferry Terminal (100 Grinnell St.) as EARLY as you can get there on the morning you would like to travel. Below we shared tips on visiting the Dry Tortugas, Florida and what to expect when you visit. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Snorkeling and Diving 1 / 9. Alternatively, you may use, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Grand Key - Key West. For more information, please see 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. Cookie Notice Amazing! They are located 70 miles west of Key West. The ferry is the more economical way to the island, but it still has its pros and cons! Learn about the special connection between the most remote US Fort built by Thomas Jeffereson and Dr. Samuel Mudd, an alleged conspirator of the Lincoln assassination. Also if you are looking for more activities to do in Key West check out the Aquarium, the Shipwreck Museum, the Conch Train and our favorite Key West water activities! It was enough time to walk around and explore the island. If you love civil war and military history this is a must. All rights reserved. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Before calling please check the camping availability calendar to determine a selection of available camping dates that will work for you, then call 305-294-7009 to speak with a reservation agent to check kayak space availability. So, it costs an additional $186 for an adult to fly to Dry Tortugas National Park than to take the ferry. However, that will be more $ than buying every seat on the seaplane. The Yankee Freedom 3 is a large catamaran so this was not smooth sailing. Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas Ferry 4.7. Getting to the Dry Tortugas by Ferry The Yankee Freedom is the ferry that connects Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. Thankfully the National Park limits visitors to 175 people, so there is only one ferry. Departing from the Historic Seaport area of Key West each morning, it's quite the boat trip. Manage booking Connect Search MENU TICKETS Yankee Freedom - Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry 2068 reviews slideshow video Book this tour Overview Details Schedule This is a very popular trip that will sell out weeks in advance. You will fly over the keys and the Marquesas Islands and get to see both Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park from the sky. Enjoy the natural beauty of this top destination with your own personal seaplane charter. A: You can check day trip and camping availability online. So join us and take in the sights in a private rental boat from Boatsetter. If you just look at cost, the private charter is the most expensive option. For most visitors, particularly those on a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, the sites at Garden Key are the most accessible. The ferry from Key West to Dry Tortugas is the Yankee Freedom III. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I couldn't find much recent information on this so hoping someone on here might have some current info. #truth, 11 East Coast National Parks You Want To Visit This Year, 29 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama. The plane flies low, so you can also see nurse sharks and sea turtles in the water (yes, the water is that clear! It was rocky from the beginning but when we got into the channel it REALLY started to rock. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. . Breath-taking. The cost was about $165 per person ($15 cheaper with a National Park Pass). Camping at Fort Jefferson is PRIMITIVE CAMPING! Q: I am trying to book a date for later in the year and the reservation engine says that its not available. We were on the first flight at 8 am. Your email address will not be published. I agree with everyone about the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They have snorkel equipment that you can use while you are there. capacity 175 passangers We have friends who have done the snorkeling in the past and it looked amazing! We use cookies to give you the best experience. Bryanna has been full time RVing with her husband and 4 kids since May 2014. There was a snorkeling spot that we wanted to try, and we never got to it because we ran out of time. 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. 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 . For more rates, click here. The Dry Tortugas, 70 miles west of Key West, can only be reached by ferry or seaplane, making it perhaps the hardest to reach of all national parks. This secluded park is located about 70 miles from Key West, and it definitely deserves a spot as one of the best places to . [CDATA[ (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/97/1032023597.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-9fl4orvz7")); // ]]> Craig and I got up at 4:30am in the morning so we could get ready and drive an hour to get to Key West to be there by 6:30 so we could park and get to the terminal. I just checked the seaplane's web page and ithe entrance fee is now $15.00 pp payable only in cash. 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 ate breakfast right away and then took seats outside of the deck of the ship so we could take in the views. Q: How do I make a new day trip reservation? Its crown jewel, the historic Fort Jefferson, was once used as a prison during the Civil War. My wife and I are from Northwest FL and are finally making it down to the keys for our anniversary. You can click here to learn more about the prices and availability for camping on the island. drinks on board. Now that would be amazing. While the Dry Tortugas is a special trip and the Fort is unique, I think you would find a small charter out to the backcountry or snorkeling at the reef on a boat like Floridays just as enjoyable in its own way. . Sit back, relax and enjoy the view. In my personal humble opinion Dry Tortugas by seaplane (or charter - whatever gets you there without the ferry crowd) is a bucket list item . 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. Cost: $644 per adult, $515.20 for children 12 and under National Park Fee: $15 (this is in addition to the seaplane ticket price) Grand Total: $659 Length of Time: 8 hours total; 40-minute flight each way and 6.5 hours on the island. There is no other way to do it. Breakfast Snack and Box Lunch (arrival day only), Beach walking, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun. Yankee Freedom Dry tortugas national park ferry, https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/. I was iffy upon seeing the initial cost but it looks phenomenal and highly likely Ill do it. TRAVEL 70 MILES WEST OF KEY WEST TO THE DRY TORTUGAS, SLEEP UNDER THE STARS ON AN ISLAND 70 MILES FROM CIVILIZATION, SLEEP UNDER THE STARS AND HAVE A KAYAK ADVENTURE. We are still following CDC recommended safety guidelines, including: Yankee Freedom passengers have the option of joining a 40-minute guided tour of the fort led by one of our expert naturalists. We were blown away by the colors of the water with the contrast of the fort. Tip 1: Plan to get to the boat terminal well before 7am just to be sure you arent late!! And I know our dogs would love to live there and swim in the ocean every night! For a list of approved private charters, visit the National Park Service website. Great write up and pics. 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. The Yankee Freedom provides daily ferry service from Key West, Florida to the Dry Tortugas. Fastest way to and from Dry Tortugas National Park, Can visit the Dry Tortugas with low crowds before the ferry arrives or late in the date once the ferry departs, The full day tour seems a little too long, Cant bring camping gear or scuba equipment, 4.5 hours on the Dry Tortugas, a nice amount of time on the islands, Can bring camping gear, scuba equipment, and kayaks, More crowded experience on the Dry Tortugas, Private tour of Dry Tortugas National Park. The word "dry" was later added to the name to indicate to other sailors the lack of fresh water on the islands. Private Charter: Which One is Better? General availability can be checked by going to https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/ and clicking on the Book Now button. Plus they were huge! Return Departure 3:00pm. Yankee Freedom Dry tortugas national park ferry, Comfortable seats, three large restrooms and fresh water rinse showers, A full galley where you can purchase snacks, drinks and souvenirs, Upper deck open to the sea-air and sights and sounds of marine life, Spacious shaded and un-shaded sundeck seating, Entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson, Fully narrated 45-minute tour of the fort, Beach walking, snorkeling, swimming, or just relaxing in the sun. However, space is very limited. guided tour of the fort. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. A:Reservations are non-refundable except in cases of trip cancellation by Yankee Freedom. The Yankee Freedom Ferry operates daily from Key West to Dry Tortugas-departing Key West at 8:00 AM and returning at 3:00 PM. Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas. There was no question that this beach was #1 on our list of the Top 10 Beaches In The Florida Keys. Ferry To Dry Tortugas. Seats are very limited, so if this sounds like something you would like to do, book your tickets as soon as you know your dates of travel. I think I remember reading that they changed their cancellation policy so this tends to happen less often nowadays. Seaplanes run about $356 per person for a half-day trip. View our ADA Accessibility Policy. And while you're heading down there/back up, try to do the Everglades too! Ideally we would recommend you go and camp for a few nights. Dry Tortugas Charter Trips - Book Today! You can also go on a 45 minute narrated tour of the fort. UNESCO Listed: Park Of The 1976 UNESCO Everglades & Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve Today it is a stunning paradise to explore. *Prices from January 2021. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Some of the common and rare species you will encounter along the Florida Birding Trail at the Dry Tortugas National Park include: Roseate and Bridled Terns, Masked and Brown Boobies, Red-Necked Phalarope, Red-Footed Boobie, Double-Crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Frigate Birds, the Caribbean Short-Eared Owl, White-Tailed Tropicbird, Shiny Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the 100-square mile Dry Tortugas National Park is sited 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West. Even if you have never taken or needed Dramamine before bring some with you just in case. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. Due to space constraints, the Yankee Freedom is happy to accommodate campers wishing to stay up to 4 days (3 nights). There are two options for most people getting to Dry Tortugas which is located 70 miles from the coast of Key West, Florida. Upon departure from Key West, you will enjoy a continental breakfast of fresh fruit, freshly baked bagels, doughnuts, cereal, orange juice, and coffee. Julie Last updated: January 31, 2023 United States 2 Comments. Key West Tourism Key West Hotels Key West Bed and Breakfast Key West Vacation Packages Flights to Key West Key West Restaurants Things to Do in Key West Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. It is expensive at $200 per adult. //