The Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry departs daily from Key West, promptly at 8am. This high speed, state of the art catamaran is the perfect way to sail across the 70-mile run to the Dry Tortugas. Our website uses cookies. PJK is correct of course unless if any in your party is a annual park pass holder or a lifetime pass holder in that case, the seaplane will accept that . That must not have happened on the Dry Tortugas because there were birds all around the mangrove island. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. LEARN MORE. Campers should confirm their return dates at the time of ticket purchase and with the captain on the outbound trip. just wait until you experience the open-air restaurants and charming little shops of . A sign-up sheet will be available at 6:30am. Seats are very limited, so if this sounds like something you would like to do, book your tickets as soon as you know your dates of travel. Youll hear captivating stories about the fort, its remarkable history and its surroundings. Open 8am-8pm. Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas Below we shared tips on visiting the Dry Tortugas, Florida and what to expect when you visit. A: If you are planning to take the day trip you can book immediately online at https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/. guided tour of the fort. You can check out their blog post about it here. Tip 3: Be sure to walk around the tip of the peninsula. Departure 8:00 am. Going by ferry turns your visit into a full day experience and most of that will be spent on board the ferry. The boat leaves at 2:45pm so you only have about 4 hours to explore. They are part of one of the longest coral reefs in the world. With 4 young kids maybe not, since we are sure it gets really quiet on the island after the ferry leaves. Also note check in time is currently 7am (always validate this when you book in case it changes) and the boat departs at 7:30am. We are still following CDC recommended safety guidelines, including: Yankee Freedom passengers have the option of joining a 40-minute guided tour of the fort led by one of our expert naturalists. Those days will not be available for reservations. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112876149', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flights or plan poorly, but the odd are very poor. Flickr Matthew Dillon. PRO TRAVEL TIP: The seaplane carries 10 people, and two seaplanes travel together. Ferry details: Address: 100 Grinnell St, Key West, FL 33040 Contact number: (305) 294-7009 Prices: $190 for adults and $135 for children (4 to 16 years old) Tickets can be booked online directly with the Yankee Freedom III Seaplane to Dry Tortugas From Key West Airport, you can reach the national park via seaplane. When you take the ferry to the Dry Tortugas, you get to the island at about 10:30am. Check out my recent review of the ferry ride titled "A must do for local history & day trip seekers". Cannot wait to do it again!! 16 Tips For A Magical Visit To Universal Orlando Resort! The only ferry authorized to enter the water in Dry Tortugas National Park is the Yankee Freedom. When we had gone on a guided tour kayak trip the week before the guide had explained how there use to be so many birds around the mangrove islands and how the birds had been hunted almost to extinction. Return Time 5:30. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Camping in the Dry Tortugas National Park is definitely an experience of a lifetime! The 2.5 hours in Dry Tortugas National Park goes by extremely fast, and the entire time Tim and I felt like we were in a race. Breakfast Snack and Box Lunch (arrival day only), Beach walking, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. The plane flies low, so you can also see nurse sharks and sea turtles in the water (yes, the water is that clear! We recommend you plan to get there early like 6:30am ish just in case you run into any issues on your way there. Unfortunately, when we were there it was a little cooler and the water was really cloudy from all the storms. Another side note on the Fort, when it was used as a prison during the civil war, Dr. Samuel Mudd, an American physician was imprisoned at the fort on the Dry Tortugas for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It was used as a prison during the Civil War. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Q: Can I cancel my reservations and get a refund? It is expensive at $200 per adult. Dry Tortugas National Park is located roughly 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Key West, Florida. ; If you hold a National Parks Pass, show it at either check-in, and the entrance fee will be deducted or not charged with transportation costs.The pass must be shown in person with a valid ID. We also have guides on renting a Tiki Boat in Key West, Where to Eat in Key West, and Where to Stay in Key West. You should dress warmly if you're doing a Hells Canyon jet boat anytime but summer, but dress in layers. Day Trip: $190 (includes $15 National Park Entry Fee) Overnight: $210 (does NOT include $15-$30 campsite fee) Parking at Ferry Terminal: $32 per day. Rescheduling will be accommodated only if space is available for the requested dates. Take your comfortable seat and enjoy the relaxing ride to the Dry Tortugas National Park Fort Jefferson, just 70 miles west of Key West. Dry Tortugas campground is one of the most beautiful settings you can imagine. All rights reserved. Yes No An official form of the United States government. A: Camping reservations must be made over the phone by calling 305-294-7009. Going by ferry turns your visit into a full day experience and most of that will be spent on board the ferry. Line up in the order you arrive on the benches along the wall next to the front door of the Terminal. If you're early risers be there at boarding time by 7:30am & you'll know by 8am when they leave if there's any open spots. Required fields are marked *. best things to do along the Florida Keys. Check-in time is at 7 am (6:30 am for campers). The seaplane to Dry Tortugas will charge entrance fees to park upon arrival. The best flights are the first and last flights of the day, when you will visit the park with fewer people. Grateful for anyone's advice. If you normally do take it you should really consider taking it before you get on. The word "dry" was later added to the name to indicate to other sailors the lack of fresh water on the islands. As you pull in it is absolutely gorgeous. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Q: I am trying to book a date for later in the year and the reservation engine says that its not available. And remember about the cost of the seaplane. Here are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. In order to get to the Dry Tortugas you can charter a high speed private boat, take a seaplane, or the Dry Tortugas ferry that runs from Key West to the Dry Tortugas. We had to capture it to share with you guys! Click the button below to add the Dry Tortugas Ferry to your wish list. It is usually booked months ahead of time!! Take a peek at Dry Tortugas National Park's Fort Jefferson on Google Maps, then click on the satellite feature and . Fastest way to and from Dry Tortugas National Park, Can visit the Dry Tortugas with low crowds before the ferry arrives or late in the date once the ferry departs, The full day tour seems a little too long, Cant bring camping gear or scuba equipment, 4.5 hours on the Dry Tortugas, a nice amount of time on the islands, Can bring camping gear, scuba equipment, and kayaks, More crowded experience on the Dry Tortugas, Private tour of Dry Tortugas National Park. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. For the majority of the trip it is just ocean everywhere you look. We have been to a lot of beaches but this is the first time we had seen so many in once place. Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park Experience a journey like no other aboard the Yankee Freedom. I think I remember reading that they changed their cancellation policy so this tends to happen less often nowadays. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Unless you camp, the ferry or seaplane give you only a few hours on the island to tour the historic fort and snorkel in its dazzling clear Caribbean waters. 3.1 Snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas. They are located 70 miles west of Key West. Saint Augustine is pretty cool too- a national park/iconic . drinks on board. It looks absolutely amazing. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96967216', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Key West check the wait list daily and check in at the on ground ticket booth daily as well. There are two options for most people getting to Dry Tortugas which is located 70 miles from the coast of Key West, Florida. It then makes the two-and-a-half-hour ride to the dock at Garden Key. I was iffy upon seeing the initial cost but it looks phenomenal and highly likely Ill do it. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 7 - 10 Day Florida Keys Itinerary: Miami, Key West & the National Parks, 12 Best National Parks to Visit in January 2023 (USA), 18 Great Things to do in Key West, Florida. All schedules are subject to change. When we got to the end of the peninsula we started to see conch shells. This is paradise! And I know our dogs would love to live there and swim in the ocean every night! Learn about the special connection between the most remote US Fort built by Thomas Jeffereson and Dr. Samuel Mudd, an alleged conspirator of the Lincoln assassination. For more information on Dry Tortugas camping, visit the park's website. The ride can be very choppy so if you are prone to motion sickness this may not be the best way to . Seaplanes run about $356 per person for a half-day trip. If you want to try to standby for the day trip in case of no-shows please go to the Ferry Terminal on the morning you want to go. The color of the fresh water and marine life is surreal, the conch shells are amazing, the beach is beautiful, and visiting the historic Fort Jefferson, which is located on garden key, was really cool. A: We do not have a waiting list. We have friends who have done the snorkeling in the past and it looked amazing! We especially liked the view of the beach where we had found the conch shells. However, if you would like to standby for the trip to the Dry Tortugas in case there are no-shows, you must go to the Ferry Terminal (100 Grinnell St.) as EARLY as you can get there on the morning you would like to travel. Ferry To Dry Tortugas. Yes, it is expensive but in reality it only costs a little more than going to Disney for a day. Has anyone ever had luck getting there at 6:00 and going standby? We arrived just past 8:30 and for almost two hours, it was just us, the other 18 people from the two seaplane flights, a few campers, and some park rangers. Cost: $371 per adult, $296.80 for children 12 and under National Park Fee: $15 (this is in addition to the seaplane ticket price) Grand Total: $386 Length of Time: 4 hours total; 40-minute flight each way and 2.5 hours at Dry Tortugas National Park. We ate breakfast right away and then took seats outside of the deck of the ship so we could take in the views. Trip Details SLEEP UNDER THE STARS AND HAVE A KAYAK ADVENTURE From $240 CALL TO BOOK 305-294-7009 Camping Trips with Kayak 2057 reviews Yankee Freedom Dry tortugas national park ferry, Comfortable seats, three large restrooms and fresh water rinse showers, A full galley where you can purchase snacks, drinks and souvenirs, Upper deck open to the sea-air and sights and sounds of marine life, Spacious shaded and un-shaded sundeck seating, Entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson, Fully narrated 45-minute tour of the fort, Beach walking, snorkeling, swimming, or just relaxing in the sun. Are you ready to book your ticket to the Dry Tortugas? By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96964966', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane is way out of our budget. If you can, try to do Dry Tortugas but that's a whole day while you're down there. This product hasn't received any reviews yet. Enjoy the natural beauty of this top destination with your own personal seaplane charter. What was your favorite view from the pictures we shared? If you take the ferry over, you can camp on the island. A: We have maintenance days scheduled throughout the year and a two week period for annual maintenance the last week of October and the first week of November. The Dry Tortugas National Park is a series of islands around 70 miles from Florida's Key West. Theodore, The wait list opens at 6:30AM and people are sometimes there as early as 6AM forming a line to get on the list. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. The journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. Learn more on the National Park Service website. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96972143', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane - once in a lifetime experience! . The ferry is sold out for our dates that we are in town and the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? . These beautiful, pristine beaches are a Key West attraction not to be missed. Dry Tortugas National Park: Fun trip - See 5,527 traveler reviews, 4,181 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. NOTE: we do not provide the kayaks, only transportation. The ferry is your only "cheap" option. Seaplane vs. the Ferry vs. You can only get to Dry Tortugas National Park by boat or by seaplane and these all leave from Key West, Florida. But I'll agree with the others that the seaplane is totally worth it. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. In my personal humble opinion Dry Tortugas by seaplane (or charter - whatever gets you there without the ferry crowd) is a bucket list item . (305) 783-2430 Home Key West Fishing Charters Key West Deep Sea Fishing Key West Flats Fishing Key West Boat Rentals Dry Tortugas Charter Trips The most popular ways to get to Dry Tortugas National Park are the Yankee Freedom ferry and Key West Seaplane Adventures, but you can also get there using a permitted personal boat or a private charter. Due to the no refunds cancellation policy of the ferry, it's pretty unusual for people to not show up for reservations. Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! You can fly to the Dry Tortugas from first thing in the morning until mid-afternoon. Please read my disclosure for more info. Read all of our articles about Florida in our Florida Travel Guide and the United States in our United States Travel Guide. Dry Tortugas National Park comprises a cluster of seven small islands, but most of the 100-square-mile park is water mesmerizingly blue, crystal-clear water worthy of your wildest tropical. Key West Tourism Key West Hotels Key West Bed and Breakfast Key West Vacation Packages Flights to Key West Key West Restaurants Things to Do in Key West Listen to the sounds of the waves as you enjoy a meal from our Snack Bar, or if you choose have a cocktail in the Steamboat Lounge, as the . Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. When you arrive, you can tour, explore the fort, swim at one of the beaches, or climb the lighthouse! Powered by BigCommerce, Dry Tortugas/Fort Jefferson, Key West, FL - Travel Thru History Show. ), underwater sand dunes, reefs, shipwrecks, and the keys. While the Dry Tortugas is a special trip and the Fort is unique, I think you would find a small charter out to the backcountry or snorkeling at the reef on a boat like Floridays just as enjoyable in its own way. more. Playa Tortugas 4.5 /5 ( 331 reviews ) Watch fishermen unload their catches at the marina, mingle with locals or just watch the ferries come and go; downtown Cancun's closest beach buzzes with activity. For most visitors, particularly those on a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, the sites at Garden Key are the most accessible. . If we were going to camp, we would have brought the kids with and dealt with the 2 1/2 hour boat ride. Dry Tortugas Ferry | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park. 28 days ago. It gave us plenty of time to walk around the island and explore but when we had to leave we were not ready to go!! *The Park Service will collect a campsite fee of $15 to $30 per night based on the size of your party. We went in the fort first then quickly realized we didnt want to be inside but instead wanted to be out by the beautiful beach and water so we headed to the beach. Key West Seaplane Adventures offers a 4-hours and 8-hour adventures to Dry Tortugas National Park. The ferry takes 175 people. A breakfast snack, boxed lunch, and snorkeling equipment are included with the fee. Imagine sleeping under the stars, on an island 70 miles from civilization, with the warm tropical breezes blowing through palm trees. For more information, please see our 4. The soft sand in our toes, the teal water, and the ocean breeze. The boat ride for us was very rocky on the way there and not quite as bad on the way back but I wouldnt call it smooth. I don't know what their availability is in April but I just recently booked for May and they have quite a few openings. This will be collected by Park Rangers during your stay. Before calling please check the camping availability calendar to determine a selection of available camping dates that will work for you, then call 305-294-7009 to speak with a reservation agent to check kayak space availability. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Have you ever wanted to visit the Dry Tortugas National Park in the Keys? Yankee Freedom, LLC is authori Yankee Freedom Ferry (includes the National Park Fee): More Information for Your Trip to Florida, Read all of our articles about Florida in our. Yankee Freedom, LLC is authori This is a very popular trip that will sell out weeks in advance. For day trips, adults should pay $190 while children will be charged $135 Web Visit website. - Key West Charter Boat Visit the Dry Tortugas on one of our amazing Key West to Dry Tortugas charters. A luxurious, state-of-the-art catamaran, docked in Key West, the Yankee Freedom will transport you to the famous Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park. Parking is free and plentiful at the seaplane terminal. The Dry Tortugas are home to some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Florida. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. If you take the seaplane, not only do you get to Dry Tortugas National Park quickly, and have the chance to arrive before the ferry, but the flight is incredibly scenic. Florida, USA. They are not going to wait for you. I was not disappointed. Plus they were huge! However, we were NOT ready to leave when it was time to go. Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. Rescheduling: The ferry is the more economical way to the island, but it still has its pros and cons! There will be cancelations but how many it is not clear this far out. Dry Tortugas Ferry $169.00 Departure Date: AFTER BOOKING PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM RESERVATION (305) 222-1199: Quantity: Product Description Dry Tortugas Ferry | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park Departure 8:00 am Return Departure 3:00pm Return Time 5:30 Duration to : 2.5 hours each way. We rounded the corner and their were hundreds of them all over the beach. Before we left we walked over to check out the tent camping area and the other beach area where people were snorkeling. Go Snorkeling at Garden Key. Reservations on the ferry are limited and sell out 9-12 months in advance so please plan ahead! | Tip 1: Plan to get to the boat terminal well before 7am just to be sure you arent late!! ; The Seaplane charges park entrance fee upon check-in. Dry Tortugas National Park Florida Info Alerts Maps Calendar Fees NPS.gov Park Home Plan Your Visit Directions & Transportation Directions Last updated: May 5, 2021 Was this page helpful? Are there any other options? We also found some older shells that were seriously gigantic. If my only option was a daytrip by ferry .. I would start saving now! Ticket includes entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. The ferry departs at 8:00 am and it takes 2.5 hours to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. // Sweet Viburnum Root System, How Many Kids Do Bambi And Scrappy Have, Bcsd Salary Schedule 2022, Functions Of Curriculum Evaluation, Apple Crown Royal Birthday Cake Recipe, Articles D