The beaches and snorkelling in Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida, are gorgeous. But the enormous Fort Jefferson is astonishing.
What’s so special about Dry Tortugas National Park, summarised.
- It’s the true end of the line in the Florida Keys.
- The beaches are dazzling white sand.
- Snorkelling off the Moat Wall brings large and abundant marine life.
- The giant Fort Jefferson – the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.
For a return day trip to Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas National Park, book here.
For more detailed information, read on.
Where is Dry Tortugas National Park?
Dry Tortugas National Park is spread across a series of small islands and reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. (No, I’m not having any of that Gulf of America nonsense, thank you).
It lies just under 70 miles west of Key West in Florida and is managed by the National Park Service.
While Key West feels like the end of the line in Florida, Dry Tortugas is the true end point for completists travelling through the Keys.
5 great Key West experiences to book
- 🛶 Look for wildlife in the mangroves on a guided kayaking tour.
- 👻 Go on a ghosts and mysteries tour and discover Key West’s dark side at night.
- 🐬 Combine dolphin-watching and snorkelling on a half day adventure.
- 🍴 Take a cultural food tour and learn about Keys heritage as you eat and drink.
- 🍹 Explore lesser-known bars on a craft cocktail crawl.
How to get to Dry Tortugas National Park
It is possible to visit Dry Tortugas National Park on a private vessel, but the vast majority of visitors take the two-and-a-quarter hour ferry ride from Key West.
The trip is aboard the Yankee Freedom III.
How much does the Dry Tortugas ferry cost?
At the time of writing in July 2025, the return ferry from Key West to Garden Island in Dry Tortugas National Park costs $235. This goes down to $220 if you have a national parks pass.
Beaches in Dry Tortugas National Park
The beaches in Dry Tortugas National Park are largely pristine white sand, and back on to clear water. In practice, you’ll only be visiting the ones on Garden Key, but they’re still highly photogenic and lovely to swim from.
Snorkelling in Dry Tortugas National Park
The cays and reefs of Dry Tortugas National Park are at the end of the Florida reef system. The isolation and a significant Gulf current just to the south means the marine life here is often more abundant and larger than elsewhere in the Keys.
The easiest place to go snorkelling for day-trippers is off the Moat Wall.
Fort Jefferson
The moat in question belongs to Fort Jefferson, a ludicrously out of place, yet magnificent 19th century fort.
Construction on the fort began in 1846, the theory being that it could defend trade routes across the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River.
The hexagonal monster contains an estimated 16 million bricks, which makes it the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere. It was built to support 450 guns and garrison 1,500 men, despite all supplies having to be shipped in.
A ridiculous level of effort went into something that became obsolete almost instantly. Construction was abandoned in 1875, and now it stands with the mesmeric draw of a Mayan temple complex or painstakingly excavated ancient Roman city.
The best way to explore Fort Jefferson is on a self-guided tour. There are explanatory signs throughout the fort.
Other things to do in Key West
Key West is compact and easy to explore, with a mix of historic homes, small museums and outdoor experiences spread across the island. These options are straightforward to combine with time in Old Town.
Harry S. Truman Little White House
This waterfront residence served as President Truman’s winter White House during the late 1940s. The preserved rooms and guided visits give a clear insight into post war American politics and life in Key West at the time.
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Located a short walk away, this former home of Ernest Hemingway is one of Key West’s best known attractions. Visitors can explore the house and gardens where he lived and wrote, along with exhibits on his life on the island.
Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum
Set near Mallory Square, this museum focuses on the island’s 19th century wrecking industry. Interactive displays and recovered artefacts explain how salvaging ships shaped Key West’s early economy.
Mallory Square
At the western end of Old Town, Mallory Square is best known for its evening sunset gathering, with street performers, harbour views and a lively atmosphere that draws visitors most evenings.
Tours and experiences around Key West
A wide range of guided options depart from the island, including mangrove kayaking trips through shallow backwaters and rum tasting experiences at the Key West Legal Rum distillery.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Saying hi to the Apollo Beach manatees near Tampa.
- The best stops on the Punta Gorda to Tampa drive.
- Exploring the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers.
- The weird tribute of Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida.
- 5 reasons to visit Miami on a round-the-world trip.
