dry tortugas snorkeling trips

Snorkeling the Key West Living Coral Reefs, A Day of Snorkeling and Sailing in Key West. For your safety, you should always use the “buddy system” and swim with a friend, never alone! Dry Tortugas Snorkeling Snorkeling in Dry Tortugas National Park is nothing short of spectacular, especially as many of the wrecks and patch reefs are in shallow water. Getting To The Dry Tortugas From Key West. Service in the Dry Tortugas National Park. So massive that you can’t even swim over the top of them, these coral heads are home to both stony and soft corals, as well as an eye-popping variety of reef fish including angel fish, triggerfish and parrot fish. First, the water where you snorkel can be very choppy and it's not a gradual decline from knee deep water to over-your-head. Keep in mind that weather can affect snorkeling conditions. With the winds coming out of the southeast, we decided to try snorkeling Little Africa since it is on the northwest side of Loggerhead Key and would possibly be protected from the winds and seas. We stayed along the fort wall of the south swim beach and the south coaling dock ruins, where the pilings of the old dock are overgrown with corals. Dry Tortugas is famous for its blue waters, wildlife, and Fort Jefferson—a 16-acre (6.5-hectare) coastal fortress. Snorkeling Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas National Park - YouTube This is a short compilation video of our snorkeling adventure around Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys. To reach the pilings, you need to swim out from the beach and around large rocks. Designed to protect the fort from amphibious assault and the rough waters of the Gulf, the wall itself has developed an amazing marine life habitat. And the best snorkeling in North America is at Dry Tortugas National Park right near Key West. You should call the office as soon as you know your travel dates. This high speed, state of the art catamaran is the perfect way to sail across the 70-mile run to the Dry Tortugas. These are the waters and islands of Dry Tortugas National Park, one of America’s most remote national parks. Many of the smaller isles often disappear and become … Snorkeling & Diving in Dry Tortugas National Park Dry Tortugas National Park is home to history and natural wonders above and below the water surface. Permitted Tour Guides at Dry Tortugas National Park Another option to the daily ferry and seaplane tours is to select one of many tour operators who hold permits with Dry Tortugas National Park to provide services for visitors. Similar to the coral heads seen at Garden Key, the corals of the Little Africa formation are named after the fact that they grow in a shape resembling the outline of Africa when seen from the air. Among the park’s wrecks, the remains of the Avanti, commonly referred to as Windjammer Wreck, is one of the most popular and accessible snorkeling sites. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Our veteran captain and friendly crew will take you on a day trip to one of the most unique and spectacular national parks in the United States: The Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. Getting tickets for a Dry Tortugas day trip can be tricky, as reservations are usually made well in advance. There are a variety of tour operators providing trips for fishing, diving, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing. Getting There If you plan on visiting the park, there are many things to do including camping, birding, snorkeling, touring Fort Jefferson, or just relaxing on the beach. Look for majestic corals, many varieties of tropical fish, starfish, queen conchs, and much more in this protected marine sanctuary. Though swimming within the moat is prohibited, the area around the wall offers fantastic sightings of reef squid, nurse sharks, hogfish and occasionally an American crocodile. Located in the westernmost section of the Florida Keys, the Dry Tortugas islands include Loggerhead Key, Garden Key, Long Key and Bush Key. If you’re planning a day trip to the Dry Tortugas, the best place to start your journey is at Key West. Cultural artifacts visible underwater include massive anchor chains and cement barrels. DRY TORTUGAS – If you can swim – okay, if you can float – then you can snorkel and the best snorkeling in North America is at Dry Tortugas National Park, nearly 70 miles west of Key West. For reservations book online or contact us at (866) 576-9151 for more information. Review of: Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran from Key West Beautiful island and great crew on the Yankee Freedom. This amazing structure is made up of layers of calcium carbonate secreted by coral polyps throughout thousands of years and is the home of hundreds of tropical fish and marine life. The Dry Tortugas also has a considerable amount of fire coral in the area. Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. On our second day in the Dry Tortugas, the weather still wasn’t cooperating with high winds and seas that makes for poor diving conditions. The main landing point in the Dry Tortugas archipelago is Garden Key, which is the site of old Fort Jefferson. Dry Tortugas Trips National Parks Sidewalk Trips National Parks Sidewalk The corals receive their vibrant colors from polyps containing algae called zooxanthellae, which also helps to keep the corals alive. Whether beginner or expert, you can enjoy an abundance of colorful tropical fish and living coral among the waters. Snorkeling is in only four to seven feet of water, straight off a brilliant white sand beach. Directly accessible from the brilliant white sand beach are the … Dry Tortugas National Park offers some of the best snorkeling in North America. More on Key West Snorkeling Reservations. Its shallow waters have spectacular views and are perfect for beginners and experts. Snorkeling is part of the fun on a Dry Tortugas day trip After a couple of days enjoying the fun things to do in Key West, Florida, adventure was calling. We snorkeled at Dry Tortugas National Park. If you came on the Yankee Freedom Ferry, the use of snorkeling gear is included in the fare. As you can see from the many photos here on National Park Planner’s Dry Tortugas review, the water is about as phenomenal a color as you are ever going to see. Find out how to take a ferry or seaplane here for pristine beaches, amazing snorkeling - and even camping! In fact, our prices are up to 56% Cheaper*, Key West Snorkeling Tours is the #1 Snorkeling Tour and Activity Concierge in Key West. Explore the coral formations in this underwater wonderland. Directly accessible from the brilliant white sand beach are the Fort Jefferson snorkeling areas. Here you will also find the South Coaling Dock Ruins, which contain the metal pilings of old coaling docks for experienced snorkelers to explore. The trip to the Dry Tortugas was enjoyable and the cite, itself, was fascinating for anyone that is a history buff, but if you're going there for the snorkeling there are a few things to think about. West of Key West, the snorkeling at Dry Tortugas is popular with tourists coming from Key West by ferry and seaplane. Whether beginner or expert, you can enjoy an abundance of colorful tropical fish and living coral among the waters. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. Pick up a mask and snorkel at the small shed on the boat dock. The Yankee Freedom Ferry is the most popular option. Our second full day in the Dry Tortugas (Wednesday) we decided to hit some snorkeling spots. One of the most popular snorkel areas is located approximately 75 yards from the western edge of the moat wall and is a great place to start your snorkel adventure! Jan 4, 2021 - Explore Mary Lane's board "dry tortugas" on Pinterest. There are two options for doing the Dry Tortugas seaplane: half day or full day trip. It's a sharp decline. Dry Tortugas is a great place for beginner snorkelers, since you can enter from the beach and snorkel in a calm area. One of the most popular Key West snorkeling tours, a thrilling expedition to Dry Tortugas National Park offers astonishing coral reefs, brilliant marine life and intriguing wrecks. When I visited in February 2014, we called a week before and got the final two spots for the week. My husband and I are big National Park people, and one of the more remote parks is the Dry Tortugas, about a two and a half hour boat trip from this southernmost U.S. city. The islands are made up of reef and sand. We will match or beat any competitors online pricing. Upon arrival at Fort Jefferson, the friendly crew of the Yankee Freedom III will provide you with a snorkel, fins and mask for exploring the nearby reefs. The beach was sandy once you got in … Start planning your Dry Tortugas snorkeling trip! Click here to read more about our ongoing safety updates. This area contains beautiful large coral heads, tropical fish, sea grass and various marine life that call the Dry Tortugas home. Includes info on how to get to Dry Tortugas, the best snorkeling spots, and what to take for your day trip or camping adventure! Bordered by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the islands of the aptly named Tortugas are the driest places in Florida. The reason Dry Tortugas snorkeling is so ideal is because the islands themselves are part of the coral reef that surrounds Key West and the islands in this area of the sea. Download Map. Follow history in the ultimate Civil War era Fort. 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 full day gives you about 6 and a half hours snorkeling and exploring the National Park. The park’s most well-preserved coral heads are situated at the edge of Garden Key’s swim area, near Fort Jefferson. To your left are the picnic grounds and campgrounds, and just a short walk away are the island’s many designated snorkel areas. Due to the park's remote location 70 miles west of Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, experiencing Dry Tortugas National Park in one day certainly seems more challenging than other parks. The Dry Tortugas is home to some of the most vibrant coral reefs in the United States, and is a snorkeler’s wonderland. The half day trip is about 4 hours, with two and a half hours at the park. If you can swim—ok, if you can float—then you can snorkel! It can cause painful, stinging, burning sensations, and if you're allergic to it, may result in nasty wounds. You must also remember to display a dive flag outside of the designated snorkel area and to check your equipment before you begin your snorkel adventure. In the shallower waters and near the shore you can also find patches of healthy coral reefs, which are havens for marine life and snorkelers of all levels alike. Because close to 99 percent of this incredible park is under the sea, the best way to tour this national treasure is by slipping on a mask and fins and diving right into the park’s pristine aqua waters. The Dry Tortugas are open year round, although certain parts of the park are closed at times. However, visiting the park's main island, Garden Key, can be easily accomplished with some simple advance planning. Dry Tortugas Charters supply you with mask, snorkel, and fins, you’ll enter a beautiful underwater world—a unique ecosystem of aquatic plants and the marine creatures that depend on them. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Here we go over everything you need to know when exploring the Dry Tortugas. Fun in Fort Jefferson - Dry Tortugas NP, FL. One is by the dock ruins on North Beach, and the others is by the dock ruins (and moat wall) on South Beach. We'll Price Match It. Copyright © 2021 Historic Tours of America, Inc. All rights reserved. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. Located just in front of the boat pier lies historic Fort Jefferson and the island’s white sandy beaches. Sunny Days Catamarans: Snorkeling trip - awesome; Dry Tortugas - don't waste a day - See 123 traveller reviews, 60 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. Please do not disturb the coral reefs you explore; it is important to remember that all coral (live and dead), shipwrecks and historic artifacts are protected by law. The park’s remote location, coupled by the easterly flowing gulf current that passes south of the park, creates the perfect habitat for an abundance of marine life. Jul 7, 2020 - Dry Tortugas is one of the most remote U.S. National Parks - on an island 70 miles from Key West! When Dry Tortugas snorkeling, be careful not to brush up against this coral like substance. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. See more ideas about dry tortugas, dry tortugas national park, national parks. And as we all know, where people don’t go, animals come in droves. Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park spans 100 square miles (25,900 hectares) of open water, protected coral reefs, and seven small islands in the Gulf of Mexico only accessible only by boat or air. Shipwrecks are just as … Download map of Dry Tortugas Island and snorkel areas. Mar 3, 2017 - Explore Denise Proctor's board "Dry tortugas" on Pinterest. Today’s snorkelers are cautioned to “look but not touch.”. Where to snorkel at Dry Tortugas National Park There are two primary snorkeling areas at Dry Tortugas, both of which will be noted on your campground map. Overnight Diving Charters To Dry Tortugas Leave the city stress behind you and bring your family and friends to enjoy a thrilling experience with overnight diving to Dry Tortugas. Found a better price online? Can you scuba dive without being certified? At YKnot Charters, we aim to create enjoyable memories while you explore the marvels of marine life. Snorkel and swim warm clear water. Almost 70 miles west of Key West, nestled among coral reefs, and white sandy beaches, lie seven remote islands called the Dry Tortugas. One of the park’s unique aspects is the moat wall built around massive Fort Jefferson, famed as the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. Another option to the daily ferry and seaplane tours is to select one of many tour operators who hold permits with Dry Tortugas National Park to provide services for visitors. It is important for snorkelers not to touch the corals, as damaging the delicate polyps can make corals susceptible to bleaching and disease. Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! Here’s how to play your Dry Tortugas day trip. If you need to stand when you are out in the water, stand in the sand so that you don’t harm reefs or seagrass. We road tripped to Key West Florida's Fort Jefferson. We … *Current prices are 30% cheaper than cruise lines! The reef stretches from the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Miami in the Atlantic Ocean. Photograph bird migration from exotic distant locations. Yankee Freedom III Dry tortugas national park ferry, Download map of Dry Tortugas Island and snorkel areas. This steel hulled sailing vessel ran aground on the loggerhead reef in the early 1900s and is situated in only about 20 feet of water, covered in colorful coral and inhabited by an astonishing variety of reef fish. There are a variety of tour operators providing trips for fishing, diving, snorkeling, and … View our ADA Accessibility Policy. See more ideas about dry tortugas, dry tortugas national park, florida travel. Complimentary fins, mask and snorkel are provided. The Dry Tortugas are popular spots with nature enthusiasts, and you can do a lot of wildlife spotting around these little islands. Yankee Freedom III Dry Tortugas Ferry Take the official Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry, the Yankee Freedom, to visit Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National park. The park’s corals and seagrass communities are among the most vibrant in the Florida Keys. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Whether you are a beginner or expert, you can enjoy a myriad of colorful tropical fish and living coral. Schools of brightly colored tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, starfish, and conch cohabitate in … To prove it we are matching all online pricing on the tours we offer. Article by Trips 'n Toys. We road tripped to Key West by Ferry and seaplane Park right near Key West Beautiful island great... It 's not a gradual decline from knee deep water to over-your-head trip to the Dry Tortugas ( Wednesday we. Ultimate Civil War era Fort, one of America ’ s swim area, Fort! ( 5-15 feet ) make snorkeling at the small shed on the boat pier lies historic Fort Jefferson Ferry.! 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