Visitors to Dry Tortugas National Park can walk along the moat wall which surrounds Fort Jefferson and was built to prevent amphibious attacks when it was constructed in 1846.
Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles southwest of Key West, Florida. The park includes and preserves seven islands and Fort Jefferson.
The only way to travel to Dry Tortugas National Park is on a Yankee Freedom catamaran ferry or sea plane. Reservations fill up in advance for ferry tickets.
The ferry ride on the Yankee Freedom to Dry Tortugas National Park is a four-hour round trip. Breakfast and a lunch box are included. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase.
Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas National Park is the largest brick masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Visitors can walk along the moat wall surrounding Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas National Park or snorkel along the outside of the wall.
Dry Tortugas National Park took a direct hit from Hurricane Ian in September which caused considerable damage. The park has since opened back up to visitors.
Snorkeling equipment is provided by the Yankee Freedom ferry company for visitors to Dry Tortugas National Park.
Snorkeling around Dry Tortugas National Park is considered some of the best in North America.
The moat wall runs around Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas National Park and was built at the time to prevent amphibious attacks.
Visitors can travel to Dry Tortugas National Park by ferry or seaplane.
Camping is allowed on Dry Tortugas National Park but only 10 campers are allowed per day. It's considered "primitive camping" and campers must bring all supplies including their own water. Reservations fill up 9-12 months in advance for camping.
A trip to Dry Tortugas National Park by the Yankee Freedom catamaran is a day-long experience with boarding in Key West at 7:30 a.m. and arrival back in Key West at 5:30 p.m.
Reservations for the Yankee Freedom ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park are highly recommended since spots easily book up.
Visitors to Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas National Park can walk along the moat surrounding the structure. Swimming is not allowed inside the moat but visitors can snorkel along the outside of the wall.
Visitors can tour inside, outside and on top of Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas National Park. The fort was originally built to protect the nation's access to the Gulf of Mexico. It later became a prison before closing in the late 1800s.
Visitors can walk through the many tunnels of Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas National Park. The fort is the largest brick masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Dry Tortugas National Park includes seven islands and Fort Jefferson. Visitors can arrive by ferry or seaplane.
The shallow waters surrounding Fort Jefferson on Dry Tortugas National Park are considered some of the best snorkeling in North America.