What to Do at Dry Tortugas National Park! Our Experience + Vlog 

Can't believe she left out the camping option. You can camp out on the island. The sky at night is the most beautiful I've ever seen. The canopy of stars are truly amazing. I definitely recommend it. 6 hours is no where close to enough time

I was there in 2016 and i took the ferry.. it was a great boat ride. maybe a little longer then plane ride but $$250-300 dollars cheaper per person right now in shows plane rides for a full day are about $600 so depending on how much you have to spend you want the ferry. that extra money could pay for another night in a hotel room or buy dinner a few nights. but once you get here it is a awsome place to visit and i enjoyed it very much and hope 1 day to come back....enjoy

In the fifties, My uncle had a house on big torch key. The island wasn’t connected to the mainland so we took his boat from summerland key. The toilet was nailed to the dock with only two sides. We seldom saw a boat as we were five miles out. The fishing was incredible. We had a natural gas refrigerator and rainwater barrels.

My wife and I sailed there from Tampa Bay in our 26 foot Pearson sailboat. Fantastic voyage. That is when you are on your own, a true adventure. We anchored off the Dry Tortugas beach and swam to the island, because a 26 foot boat doesn't carry a ten foot dingy. Dived around the island. Sailed over to Loggerhead Key (next door where the lighthouse is located) and dived on a marked wreck. Saw a Jew Fish the size of a VW Beetle (and screw you worthless Twinkies, that is what Goliath Groupers were named back then) as well as huge tarpon, barracuda and manta rays and your general reef fish. A snorkelers delight. Eventually sailed to Key West where we easily endured a hurricane in a marina then worked our way up to Marathon then sailed up the coast very slowly in almost no wind, finally arriving back in St. Petersburg in time to meet some other sailing friends on the water, for New Year. That was a real adventure, unlike taking a ferry or a seaplane for a six hour trip.

Every Summer when we come down from North Florida on our boat to the Keys, we always spend at least a week in the Dry Tortugas fishing, diving and going to the beach. It's always been one of our absolute favorite places to go each year. If you stay overnight, it's also one of the best places we've ever been for amateur astronomy, due to the absence light pollution. We usually set up our telescope on shore several times and stay awake almost all night looking through it. Nice video, thanks for posting it!

We spent the day there in May 2015. It was a honeymoon wedding day trip. We took the ferry out and back to Key West. The snorkeling was incredible. My first experience doing it. The sand is very white and bright. I left my prescription glasses on our spot under some shady brush and someone found them and were returned to me the next morning. The sea plane will get you there faster however it is more expensive than the ferry. I prefer the ferry because you can sit outside on the deck, they serve you breakfast, lunch, drinks, ice cream with a AC cabin if you need to get out of the sun to cool off. You can really take in the experience on the 2 hr ride on the ferry. You may not see any shipwrecks but will be able to see sea life in the water....We saw turtles, various types of fish near the surface. The ferry goes pretty fast and is stable. You won't get sea sick riding on it. I did a video on it when we left the Fort. We saw a few diving boats with diver down flags nearby which was pretty cool. The ferry crew were very knowledgeable and fun. Just a fantastic experience.

I took this trip in 2019 and we loved it. We took the ferry and felt we didn't have nearly as much time to explore as we would have liked. Definitely take the sea plane and choose to stay the full day if it's in your budget.

I just did the sea plane, it's not cheap and I did the shorter one just 2.5 hours there. just explored the fort. It was hot and super sunny. boat is is about 1/2 as much, so just do the plane. This is why I came to Key West and was amazing! The Key west drive and stay and this trip. Bucket List Check, Next!

I was contemplating going here when I recently visited key west! Now it’s almost like I visited because your video really made me feel like I was there. What a gorgeous place!

Beautiful place to visit! Nice historic area...love the ruins...so big with great views! The nesting place for birds...Awesome!

This looks so beautiful!! That water color is amazing! I never knew this was out there west of key west! I want to go!

That plane ride looks so beautiful.

Wow~ this is incredibly awesome!! It's not only a beautiful island, but also has historical asset. Fort is so awesome!! This is a perfect place for movies and real peaceful healing. I wish I could stay a couple of days. :) Thanks for sharing!!👍😍

I did not know these islands existed! Thank you very much for this beautiful video with great information about these islands! Big Like! You have a new friend from Switzerland!

Wow it looks stunning!! Just right in the middle of the ocean like that! So cool being on a seaplane!! Great vlog again! 😁

Loved the blog. Can’t wait to visit Dry Tortugas in few days. Definitely taking the seaplane.

This has been on my bucket list for quite some time!

Wonderful video! Adding to our bucket list.

Hi 🙋‍♂️ thank you 🙏 for great 👍 underwater fish 🐠 and castle 🏰 shots!

aw yeah, went there a couple years back, and got a free extra night, stayed there 4 days/3 nights on Memorial day. Snorkeled, chilled on the beach near my tent, grilled, and ran all over the fort, and looked at the beautiful Milky Way at night. Interaction with the wildlife was comical, and saw a barracuda, heard there was a shark and some grouper nearby. Pro tip: leave the silver watches and shiny stuff off when you decide to swim, so it doesn't attract predator fish like the Barracuda. Ferry brings in food and clean water every day except holidays.

We are planning on going in June, looks amazing!

Thanks for the tip. I spent June and December in the Lower Keys and LOVE it. Next time I'll check out Tortugas

Heading by ferry this Sunday!! Can’t wait. Great preview!

Dude, an IPA in hand and it's not even 11am yet. I like it.

you got a new sub ! Thank you for the info, we are thinking of visiting the island as well

Thank you for sharing your experience! Beautiful National Park - can't wait to spend the day there! Possibly camp out as well.

Beautiful, wanderful and miracle video sea, CASTLE something indescribable thank you my friend 👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼👋🏼🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🌺🌺🌺🌺

Really Love a Video like this! Thanks again for having come Aboard my Ch and bringing your enjoyable and informative Ch. to my attention. Blessings from Oregon! ... Mike.

We sailed to Fort Jefferson in the dry tortugas back in 1979 from Galveston island in Texas. We anchored out on the islands south side for 2 weeks. The fishing is second to none here & even back then before the ferry & before it became a national park the Sea planes were running back & forth from key West Florida. We went to Dr.Mudds cell at night, at its entry the temp was very warm with a heavy fragrance of woman's rose perfume. Upon entering his cell the temp dropped to cool immediately. When we went to leave his cell the entryway temp was no longer warm & the woman's perfume was gone.

It's depressing to see how much the coral reef has declined since the first time I went there in April of 1992. That was just before it was designated a National park, at that time it was called Fort Jefferson National Monument.

Ww... really amazing park and experience... Thanks for the tour, SzN!!!

Awesome. I chose the sea plane also. The most interesting we can see the submarine : ) Beautiful destination

Indeed, super cool sea plane ride. Beautiful Island.

A pleasure to discover your channel... very infornative and interesting ... WOW this is gorgeous... so tastefully filmed and edited... thank you for this fine treat... have to come back here 🙏🌹

Very cool video. I hope to do this within the next 12 months. My wife has a coworker who has been to every National Park except this one!!

Suggest reading"Flashback" by Nevada Barr. It is a murder mystery with Anna Pidgeon as a park ranger character. The author has almost enough accurate detail in the book that it is almost a tour guide book with a great story. She has number of books around several national parks that are worth while checking our before going to other parks. I recognized lots of areas just from the book.

Wow!!! What an adventure!!! Sea plane alone would be thrilling. The Fort would be amazing to explore, what amazing scenery. New friends and we are so glad we connected!!!

Amazing view! Super cool experience you got there..

Great video! Very informative, I think when we save up enough we will take the seaplane as well.

Great video! Thanks for all the information. My wife and I are going next month and taking the Yankee Freedom. I wish I knew about the sea plane before booking the Yankee Freedom, but none the less it looks to be a great time.

Amazingly beautiful ocean..! So nice weather and sceneries. Awesome vlog😍

Good choice to fly! What a view. I was there a few too many years ago. It was a very fun experience. Glad you got to go and thanks for sharing! It is crazy that the fort is in the middle of nowhere! Great video and educational!

I'm not keen on flying but I do believe it would be the very best option Thanks for taking me along your amazing adventure TFS ! ! ! ! 👍👍

This is so BEAUTIFUL!!😍.. Thank you for sharing!👍It's a pleasure watching your beautiful journey guys and amazing destinations!👍

Another great trip and video, my friends. I would definitely choose the sea plane ride to enjoy the beautiful aerial views of the national park and fort. And arriving before the "ship people" is indeed a great advantage. The island and fort are such a great spot to explore and also to relax and I would love to visit sometime. Thanks for sharing this wonderful vlog, which I enjoyed very much.👍👏

This was SO SUPER helpful! Thank you for providing actionable, useful, interesting information! Awesome video!

Hello! It's great video! it's amazing shots! 　　 Thank you for the wonderful video! I watched this video with great interest! And I really enjoyed it! Thank you! Have a nice day!

What a great comprehensive video! We want to visit again, but save up for the seaplane or camp even someday!

The Island is a great place to overnight camp and enjoy the basic amenities on the Gulf.....Life in the Slow Lane!!

Wonderful shots my friend! Spectacular!

Nice video... y’ll had great weather....just got back from Everglades, Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne National Park, saw a brochure for Dry Tortuga decided to search it once I got back to Kansas ..... again thanks ! Ship Island off the coast of Biloxi/Gulfport, MS has a similar historical Civil War history..... the ferry is a lot cheaper to get to Ship Island.... worth the trip ...

Great video! We are going there in 2 days and cannot wait!

Wow, what a cool place!! Some incredible views and buildings!!

i love the colour of the island..Too god..Big like..Love the video..

Thank you very much for sharing this beautiful video, my friend! I wish all the best. LIKE#14

wow.. amazing video and beautifull place.. enjoyed my friend..

Thanks for sharing the beautiful place very relaxing

Thanks a lot for all the info. I was planning on going next month.

She is very informative, seems like a great place to visit.

There are only wonderful uploads on Your channel, my friends !!😍👍34... Many Thanks to You for sharing another splendid video !😘... It was as always a real pleasure to watch❣️ Wish You a happy Friday !🌟 Warm greetings 🎶 Arlette

Great information on this video, enjoyed.

How cool

Beautiful fort! Nice filming, narration and travel video, pressed my like 👍👍

That is super cool. I love seeing these videos as it relates to these parks. You got a BIG LIKE #102. 👍👍👍👍👍

We are going in May! Thanks so much for posting this!

The plane was too small!!! I would afraid for sure but you had awesome view from above! Excellent explained everything 😊❤️👏

So, if this is Dry Tortugas, where is "Wet" Tortugas?

What a beautiful place 👍 Great video with good information 😊 Thank you 😊

Wow such beautiful colors!

Omg 🤩 how beautiful is this place man☀️😍😍 seems like you had so much fun there 🌞🤩food looks amazing too👌 stay connected friend🤝🤝

I took the "Fast Cat" there and the ride was nice. The ferry in the link below is very expensive, there are much better options with faster and cheaper boats. There is no need to take a plane.

What a great video. Thanks. Take care, Michael from cold Germany

What a beautiful place to drive through, Greetings from UK

What month did you visit? Was the water cold for snorkeling or were you comfortable in a swimsuit? Looks beautiful

Really enjoyed this video so much!! This place is amazing!! Watched until the end!! Luv it!! L297

Looks so cool 😎 Can't wait to check this out 😃

great video, great quality, congratulations on the content 💙

the place looks lovely my friend, enjoyed till end, keep safe always, big like from me

How’d they build that place? It’s like a perfect structure. 2.5 hour ferry ride. Man, somebody must have really wanted that place built.

Well done! Thank you for sharing my friend. Great Like 18

good job on the history, beauty, and info~

Great video. Can you provide answers to theses questions please? How much was the airfare and the ferry? Do you need a passport to travel? How much does it cost to camp on the island and what’s the process for arrival and departure if you are camping? Is the camping primitive, ie tent camping? Is there a ranger living on the island? Thank you!!

Was at the Dry Tortugas back in 2019. Had a good time there and was able to see the former prison cell of Dr. Samuel Mud took the Yankee Freedom boat.

cool vido

Wow.. Lovely place. Fantastic video my new friend 👍 have a good day 🍀😊. CU in new video😊 Stay connected.

Great review! 👍

An another nice upload. Great presentation from you. Like 8. See you soon again

Awesome video. Beautiful place 😊👍🏼

Fantastic video, thanks 😊 👍

Such an awesome presentation. The hubby and I are going to Key West for our 10th anniversary and this is a must do for us. It wasn’t until I seen this video that I knew you couldn’t even access it by foot. So excited!

How is it they were able to build such an incredible precise structure but no one was able to draw a decent pic of it ?? Seems to became very common theme .

Thank you for the upload. I never new this existed. Is this where the pirates congregate in pirates of the Caribbean?

Interesting video thanks for sharing.

Beautiful! I would love to go!

On my list.

Beautiful vlog ❤️

Very good tutorial Thank you

My wife and I wanted to go when we went to KW last year. We didn't realize that you had to book the ferry almost a year in advance!! Did you guys have to book the plane way in advance? Thank you for sharing!

Can you fly a drone at the site? Great Video.... I just checked out the seaplane site... You were not kidding when you said it was expensive!!!

Awesome video! I was wondering which camera did you use for this video? IT LOOKS AMAZING