Dry Tortugas Ferry
Catch a Dry Tortugas Ferry out of Key West’s Historic Seaport and discover America’s most remote National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park is seven remote islands, with a Civil War-era fort, nesting birds, and lots of snorkeling opportunities. There are few choices with the Dry Tortugas Ferry: you can take a smaller faster boat and be at the Park in two hours. Or you can take a larger boat with Park-approved naturalist guide and the ride is two and half hours.
The larger boat, called Yankee Freedom, is pictured here, in the morning as people are boarding. You will travel in comfort: there are three bathrooms, indoor tables and benches, a galley from which you can purchase soft drinks and snacks on the way out and on the way back, and friendly crew who will answer your questions.
The Yankee Freedom also has a naturalist who travels with the group and gives a 40-minute talk which is fascinating. She will also identify any marine life, birds, or anything else you spot, both on the Dry Tortugas ferry and while you’re in the Park.
The smaller boat that takes visitors out to Dry Tortugas National Park is a catamaran. Like the larger Dry Tortugas Ferry, they serve breakfast on the boat, as well as lunch at the Park. On the catamaran, operated by Sunny Days, you can also read the daily newspaper, or brochures about the Park and Fort Jefferson. After arriving at the park, this Dry Tortugas Ferry waits for four and a half hours before departing for Key West. Plenty of time to explore!