As the boat pulled away from the dock and the wind blew through our hair, we watched Key West fade into the distance. We were about to head 70 miles out into the ocean to explore one of the most remote national parks in the United States, the Dry Tortugas.
Embarking on a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
The Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran tour departs bright and early — check in is at 7 a.m. and, after a brief overview of what to expect of the day ahead, the boarding process begins and breakfast is served on board.
While listening to our guide tell stories about the islands we passed, we dove into a breakfast of bagels, meat, cheese, fruit, yogurt, coffee and several other goodies. The boat ride lasts around 2.5 hours, and there’s seating inside and outside on the top deck if you prefer relaxing in the sun. We decided to hang out in the back of the boat for some fresh air and to combat any potential seasickness — the waves were definitely throwing punches that day, but they were nothing a little Dramamine and fresh air couldn’t cure!
Impressive Fort Jefferson
Only one percent of the Dry Tortugas National Park is actually above water; there are seven small islands, and the rest is protected marine life, coral reefs and shipwrecks below the surface. The main island, where the boats docks, is home to Fort Jefferson, an old military fort built by the Navy in the 1820s. The only way to access the island is by boat or seaplane, which helps keep visitors to a minimum and gives you the freedom to enjoy the island in peace.
Once the boat docks, passengers are free to disembark and explore the island, either on their own or with a guided tour of the fort. The boat stays docked for around four hours, leaving you plenty of time to check out everything the island has to offer. The guided tour lasts around an hour and details the history of the fort, what the fort and island were used for, and stories of what life was like on the island when it was being built. The fort was used as a military base and as a prison. Four of the most famous prisoners sent to the island were associated with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Enjoying the island
The islands are also a great spot for bird watching as there are close to 300 species that pass through the islands throughout the year. Some of the birds you might see include pelicans, warblers, sandpipers and kingbirds, to name a few.
Lunch is also included in the tour, and we had the option to eat onboard or have a picnic on the island. We wanted to spend as much time on the island as possible, so we found a nice, shady spot to enjoy our lunch. The buffet offered a variety of vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, pasta salads, breads, chips, cookies, drinks and more — basically, the perfect ingredients to make a killer sandwich or salad, with a couple of sides and dessert.
Exploring the fort
After lunch, we continued exploring the island. We meandered along the soft and sandy beaches, explored Fort Jefferson’s nooks and crannies, walked along the skinny walls of the moat separating the fort from the ocean, and observed the wide array of wildlife on the island. Snorkel gear is also provided — the island is home to some of the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys — and though we’d planned to explore underwater, the temperatures were unseasonably cold, and a bit too chilly for us to dive in.
As the day came to a close, it was time to hop back on the boat. Although we weren’t quite ready to leave the turquoise waters behind, we were looking forward to a relaxing ride back to Key West, the perfect ending to an exciting day.
— Jenna Kvidt
A Day Trip to Dry Tortugas National Park from Miami Things to Do
