Dry Tortugas National Park comprises a cluster of seven small islands, but most of the 100-square-mile park is water mesmerizingly blue, crystal-clear water worthy of your wildest tropical. That is why I am considering this year to do the three night camping option. 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. If you show your National Parks America the Beautiful Pass upon arrival, you will receive a refund for the entrance fee ($15 per person). capacity 175 passangers . We also have a guide to the best things to do along the Florida Keys. Fort Jefferson is the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere consisting of more than 16 million bricks. Then you may have to arrive very early the morning of to grab any possible seats that are canceled at the last minute. We had to capture it to share with you guys! Provided by Touchpoints Yankee Freedom Dry tortugas national park ferry, https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/. 1 / 9. However, the boat in the photo above looks very similar to the Yankee Freedom ferry. But we had to get on the boat to head back. Things to know before your visit National Park Entrance Fee $15.00 per person ages 16+ and is good for 7 consecutive days - Ferry tickets include the cost of entrance to the park, but camping fees . Dry Tortugas National Park: Fun trip - See 5,527 traveler reviews, 4,181 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. What was your favorite view from the pictures we shared? WOW! Take your comfortable seat and enjoy the relaxing ride to the Dry Tortugas National Park Fort Jefferson, just 70 miles west of Key West. A: If you are planning to take the day trip you can book immediately online at https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. If you have your own boat, you can visit Dry Tortugas National Park without taking the ferry or seaplane. We use cookies to give you the best experience. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Our friends at Tiny Shiny Home had a chance to camp with their 4 kids. Perfect picture opportunity! The ferry arrived at 10:20, and it got a lot more crowded. This product hasn't received any reviews yet. Get on the Yankee Freedom III ferry waiting list now. Bryanna has been full time RVing with her husband and 4 kids since May 2014. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. The plane parks at a beach on Garden Key and this is where you get off. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. We did not bring the kids with us this time since we didnt think they would enjoy being a boat for 2 1/2 hours there and 2 1/2 back all in one day. NOTE: we do not provide the kayaks, only transportation. Explore and learn of its history with one of our more. So, it costs an additional $186 for an adult to fly to Dry Tortugas National Park than to take the ferry. Go Snorkeling at Garden Key. At that point, we only had 30 minutes left on Dry Tortugas before flying back to Key West. It was rocky from the beginning but when we got into the channel it REALLY started to rock. Dry Tortugas campground is one of the most beautiful settings you can imagine. #truth, 11 East Coast National Parks You Want To Visit This Year, 29 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama. Yankee Freedom III - Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry. This group of islands are the last keys in the Florida Keys. - See 2,588 traveler reviews, 2,466 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. Top 10 list to #PlanLikeaParkRanger for a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park. Showing up at 7:30 is not likely to work. I agree with everyone about the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas. 2023 KeyWestTour.com | Sitemap 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. A ferry ride to Dry Tortugas National Park An optional guided tour of historic Fort Jefferson Complimentary breakfast and picnic lunch Sanitized snorkeling gear Plenty of free time for swimming, snorkeling, bird spotting, photography, and exploring the island . We will be back and when we do go back we will definitely plan on camping for 3 nights! It is usually booked months ahead of time!! Midday, the ferry deposits a lot of people on the island, so it is more crowded during this time. Are there any other options? In other words, you must bring everything (water included) with you. Upon departure from Key West, you will enjoy a continental breakfast of fresh fruit, freshly baked bagels, doughnuts, cereal, orange juice, and coffee. Privacy Policy. Yankee Freedom: Wow! Cannot wait to do it again!! Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. Both come with their advantages and disadvantages, and which one you choose depends on cost, how much time you have, if you plan to camp on Garden Key, and other factors such as seasickness. use of snorkeling gear. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Return Time 5:30. Although Dry Tortugas Beach is located some 70 miles away within Fort Jefferson National Park, its beach is considered part of Key West's seaside offerings thanks to the Dry Tortugas Ferry. The flight is awesome, getting into the park early is nice perk, and having a full afternoon in Key West after this excursion is also a big advantage. 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. On the day we were here, Yankee Freedom must have been using a different boat, since this is not their typical boat they use to go to the Dry Tortugas. Here are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. 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. Playa Tortugas 4.5 /5 ( 331 reviews ) Watch fishermen unload their catches at the marina, mingle with locals or just watch the ferries come and go; downtown Cancun's closest beach buzzes with activity. Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or by seaplane. 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. READ NEXT: Best Things to Do in Dry Tortugas National Park. At the galley, you can purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, ice cream, and snacks. Q: I am trying to book a date for later in the year and the reservation engine says that its not available. Cost. Cost: $371 per adult, $296.80 for children 12 and under National Park Fee: $15 (this is in addition to the seaplane ticket price) Grand Total: $386 Length of Time: 4 hours total; 40-minute flight each way and 2.5 hours at Dry Tortugas National Park. If my only option was a daytrip by ferry .. Also, be sure to check out our Florida Road Trip as this is a stop on the route and our Florida Keys Road Trip post. The Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry is called theYankee Freedomiii. Key West Seaplane Adventures provides snorkel gear and coolers with ice and water or soft drinks. It was used as a prison during the Civil War. Thsnk you! Better early then late and missing the boat! Ferry To Dry Tortugas. And remember about the cost of the seaplane. 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. All rights reserved. Yeah, there is definite sticker shock, but it was so worth it! Departure 8:00 am. 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. News Release Date: October 9, 2022 Contact: Allyson Gantt, 786-610-8023 Contact: Mike Litterst, 202-306-4166 Key West, Fla. - Concession-operated ferry service to Dry Tortugas National Park will resume on Monday, October 10 after engineers inspected the storm-damaged dock on Garden Key and determined it is safe to partially reopen. drinks on board. Catch a ride on the Dry Tortugas ferry or book a ticket on a seaplane to Dry Tortugas to truly explore what this Florida . ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. We (2 couples) will be in Key West in March. You can fly to the Dry Tortugas from first thing in the morning until mid-afternoon. They warn you to be very careful since the closest hospital is over 2 1/2 hours away! 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. It was quite the experience and the ride. Next time we go back we also want to check out Loggerhead Key. This is a very popular trip that will sell out weeks in advance. tour of the Fort Beach walking, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun No Hidden Fees. By noon, we were back in Key West and had all afternoon in town. Youll hear captivating stories about the fort, its remarkable history and its surroundings. The Dry Tortugas National Park is a series of islands around 70 miles from Florida's Key West. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. The boat leaves at about 2:45pm so you only have about 4 hours to explore. Take a peek at Dry Tortugas National Park's Fort Jefferson on Google Maps, then click on the satellite feature and . Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the NPS and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Per CDC guidelines all our snorkels, masks, fins, and vests are dipped into a solution of water and Buckeye International SaniQ, washed with fresh water, and then hung on the rail to dry. There will be cancelations but how many it is not clear this far out. We have friends who have done the snorkeling in the past and it looked amazing! All rights reserved. As you pull in it is absolutely gorgeous. 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. We do not keep a waiting list and will not call you in case of cancellations. Powered by BigCommerce, Dry Tortugas/Fort Jefferson, Key West, FL - Travel Thru History Show. just wait until you experience the open-air restaurants and charming little shops of . Since we didnt have the kids with us we figured we would take advantage of the fact that we could close our eyes and get some sleep! Phone +1 305-242-7700. The color of the fresh water and marine life is surreal, the conch shells are amazing, the beach is beautiful, and visiting the historic Fort Jefferson, which is located on garden key, was really cool. Your email address will not be published. Does anyone know if it's worth it to show up REALLY early and wait in case you can get a spot from a no-show or cancellation? To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. These beautiful, pristine beaches are a Key West attraction not to be missed. Yankee Freedom Ferry Details Phone Number: 800-634-0939 Cost: Day trips to Dry Tortugas are $180 per adult. Departing from the Historic Seaport area of Key West each morning, it's quite the boat trip. Private boat owners in Key West rent their boats to people who want a boat to explore the Keys through Boatsetter. Half Day Seaplane + National Park Fee: $386 Yankee Freedom Ferry (includes the National Park Fee): $200 Price Difference: $186. Parking is free and plentiful at the seaplane terminal. When you travel by seaplane, you land in the waters just offshore from Garden Key. 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. Get on the ferry wait list, you might get lucky. Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. We also have guides on renting a Tiki Boat in Key West, Where to Eat in Key West, and Where to Stay in Key West. They are part of one of the longest coral reefs in the world. Shipwrecks and Treasure The plane flies low, so you can also see nurse sharks and sea turtles in the water (yes, the water is that clear! You have to add the sales tax, the $10.00 pp entrance fee to the park, and will very likely need a cab both to and from the airport. Where should we stop to eat and what should we see on the drive to Key West? Does anyone know if it's worth it to show up REALLY early and wait in case you can get a spot from a no-show or cancellation? Click the button below to add the Dry Tortugas Ferry to your wish list. You cannot bring camping equipment on the seaplane. Really wanted to go to Dry Tortugas but it is sold out during the month of April. 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. 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. Plus they were huge! Breakfast Lunch,use of snorkeling gear,guided tour of the fort. You do have to pay for it and prices vary based on when you are going (but it isnt much more then the tickets to get there). And I know our dogs would love to live there and swim in the ocean every night! 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. Seaplanes run about $356 per person for a half-day trip. "One of the 10 great places to explore nooks and crevasses" USA Today, "One of the top 10 things to do in the Florida Keys" Islands Magazine, "One of the coolest things to do in Key West" Rachael Ray Magazine, {{current_weather.dt | momentjs( atts.date )}}. 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. Here is an overview of the best time to visit Dry Tortugas National Park for specific conditions: You'll experience the mildest weather in Dry Tortugas National Park in January, February, March, November, and December. Grateful for anyone's advice. 365 Days a Year. best things to do along the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, when we were there it was a little cooler and the water was really cloudy from all the storms. Take the official Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry, the Yankee Freedom, to visit Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National park. If you take the ferry over, you can camp on the island. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. The boat leaves at 2:45pm so you only have about 4 hours to explore. guided tour of the fort. It was worth every dollar! Then all of a sudden this island pops up out of nowhere. There is no other way to do it. Below I list more advantages and disadvantages for each mode of transportation. The seaplane to Dry Tortugas will charge entrance fees to park upon arrival. If you return you'll know to book early. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know on how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. Dry Tortugas National Park: Nice trip! We also have a detailed guide to the best things to do in the Dry Tortugas. For even more information, check out our Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Guide. Next we headed to the top and walked around the edge of the fort and the views just kept getting better and better. Our website uses cookies. The best flights are the first and last flights of the day, when you will visit the park with fewer people. Yes, it is expensive but in reality it only costs a little more than going to Disney for a day. Q: Do you have a waiting list I can put my name on? Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. We do not keep a waiting list now we cover everything you to. Kids since may 2014 it to share with you seaplane terminal beaches are a Key West rent boats... Words, you must bring everything ( water included ) with you western hemisphere consisting of more going! Many it is expensive but in reality it only costs a little cooler the! Mode of transportation to camp with their 4 kids around the edge of the.. 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