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Dry Tortugas National ParkJacks Swimming
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Dry Tortugas National Park
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Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote parks in the National Park System. Located approximately 70 miles west of Key West it is accessible only by private or charter boats  or seaplanes.

 

Plane
Commercial air service is available to Key West International Airport.  Seaplanes of Key West provides air service from Key West to the national park. See "Public Transportation" below for seaplane information.

Car
There are no roads to Dry Tortugas National Park. It can only be reached by boat or seaplane.

Private pleasure boats are welcome, but must be fully self-sufficient. U.S. Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey Chart #11438 is necessary for navigation to the Dry Tortugas.

Public Transportation
Public transportation - ferry and seaplane - serves the park from Key West.

For ferry schedules, prices, and reservations, contact:
Sunny Days: phone 800-236-7937 or 305-292-6100; on the internet at www.drytortugas.com.
Yankee Freedom: phone 800-634-0939 or 305-294-7009; on the internet at www.yankeefreedom.com.

Seaplane transportation is provided by Seaplanes of Key West. For schedules, prices, and reservations, contact 800-950-2FLY or 305-294-0709; on the internet at www.seaplanesofkeywest.com.

Fishing and dive charters can be arranged in the Florida Keys and Naples. For a list of services, contact the park at 305-242-7700.

Getting Around
Upon arrival, see the orientation program at the visitor center in Fort Jefferson and take the self-guiding tour of the fort.

A boat is necessary to visit areas of the park other than Garden Key/Fort Jefferson.

Ferry Boat
Yankee Freedom
Ferry Information
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Fast Cat Boat
Sunny Days
Ferry Information
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Seaplane in Flight
Seaplane Service
Flight Information
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Sooty Tern in Flight  

Did You Know?
Between the months of March and September, some 100,000 sooty terns will come to nest on the islands of the Dry Tortugas. They are joined by brown noddies, roseate terns, double-crested cormorants and brown pelicans.

Last Updated: March 12, 2008 at 09:56 EST