×

Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)

The Dry Tortugas National Park is located in the Gulf of Mexico, west of Key West, Florida. It consists of seven islands as well as protected coral reefs. Garden Key is known for its beaches and The park, best known for being the home of Fort Jefferson, a 19th century coastal fortress made of over 16 million bricks, also protects natural wonders above and below its pristine water's surface.

Dry Tortugas National Park is an ideal remote getaway for fans of history and picturesque blue waters alike, and is ideal for bird watching, beach camping, and snorkelling. A lighthouse and sea turtles can be found on Loggerhead Key.

Dry Tortugas National Park

The Windjammer Wreck, the remains of an 1875 ship, is a popular dive site on nearby Loggerhead Reef. Seabirds such as sooty terns nest on Bush Key.

The park is known for its diverse marine life, tropical bird breeding grounds, vibrant coral reefs, and stories of shipwrecks and sunken treasures. The Everglades & Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve was established by UNESCO in 1976 as part of its Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Dry Tortugas National Park, located nearly seventy miles west of Key West, is only accessible by boat or seaplane.

Marine wildlife thrives in this remote area. Diverse marine species can find refuge in vibrant coral reef and sea grass communities. You'll see a beautiful array of reef fish and other marine life if you're willing to get wet and dive below the water's surface. On the park's protected beaches, large sea turtles bury their egg clutches. And on Bush Key, the sooty tern has its only regular nesting site in the entire country.

The official bird list for Dry Tortugas National Park includes 299 species. Only eight of these species nest frequently within the park: the magnificent frigatebird, the masked booby, the sooty tern, the brown noddy, the brown pelican, the roseate tern, the bridled tern, and the mourning dove.

What makes Dry Tortugas so special?

This 100-square-mile park is mostly open water, with seven small islands dotted around it. The park, which is only accessible by boat or seaplane, is famous around the world for its magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, exceptional coral reefs and marine life, and the diverse bird life that frequents the area.

Is it worthwhile to visit Dry Tortugas National Park?

The Dry Tortugas National Park is fascinating in terms of both its unique marine landscape and its history, and it is well worth a visit. The stunning Dry Tortugas National Park is located at the tip of the Florida Keys. It protects seven beautiful Dry Tortugas Islands.

Is food available on the Dry Tortugas?

There are no restaurants, shops, fuel, water, or food.

How To Reach Dry Tortugas National Park

The park is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Its waters are teeming with marine life, including three species of sea turtles. Thousands of migrating birds stop on the islands to rest or nest. A large flock of sooty terns nests on Bush Key every spring and summer.

Best Time to Visit Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is a great place to visit all year because of the warm sea and air temperatures. When Bush Key is open from October to January, it is one of the best times to visit Dry Tortugas National Park.

Top Places to Visit Around Dry Tortugas National Park

  • Fort Jefferson
  • Garden Key
  • Tortugas Banks
  • Little Africa