Snorkeling at Dry Tortugas – Breathtaking Coral Reefs in the US

One of the least disturbed waters in North America, snorkeling at Dry Tortugas National Park is perfect for folks looking to experience pristine coral reefs not too far away.

Dry Tortugas National Park is the most southern national park in the continental United States, located at the tip of the Florida Keys. Juan Ponce de Leon first came across the islands in 1513 and referred to them as Tortugas due to the high number of turtles in the area. It also has a rich history of shipwrecks which will be evident as you snorkel in various spots.

The waters around the islands are one of the least touched in the country, which contributes to some amazing snorkeling at Dry Tortugas. Visitors can only go into the park via seaplane or boat, so you have to make the most of your trip. That definitely means snorkeling must be on the list of things to do at Dry Tortugas National Park!

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Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Profile:

Closest Airports:

• Key West International Airport – 70 miles away, 2 hours and 25 minutes (10 minutes to port, 2 hours and 15 minute ferry ride)
• Miami International Airport – 240 miles away, 6 hours (3 hours and 45 minutes to port, 2 hours and 15 minute ferry ride)

Closest Major City: Miami

• The closest major city from Dry Tortugas is actually Havana, Cuba, but you will be hard pressed to get to the islands from there. There is significant distance from Miami and Dry Tortugas, and any trip either way will likely take almost a day. So while South Beach may sound great to pair with snorkeling, separate trips will be a better way to go.

Preferred Transportation to Destination: Boat from Key West

• Yankee Freedom – Sponsored by the National Park Service, the Yankee Freedom is the most used ferry to get to Dry Tortugas. It is easy to purchase via online and costs $190 per adult and $135 per child. The website also has camping fees if you are planning to stay overnight. The ferry takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

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Dry Tortugas National Park can be quite a tough place to get to but also one of the most exhilarating areas to explore. It’s about three hours from Miami to Key West, the bottom of the Keys, and then another two hours by boat from Key West to Dry Tortugas. But there is no doubt that snorkeling at Dry Tortugas is a better experience compared to other more convenience locations such as Key West, Bahia Honda, or South Beach.

There are two main places to go snorkeling at Dry Tortugas National Park. The Garden Key, the second biggest island which houses Fort Jefferson, is the most popular. Loggerhead Key, the biggest island that is located couple miles west of Garden Key, is also very popular. Both islands have two excellent snorkeling spots filled with amazing marine life and corals. I highly recommend snorkeling at both spots if you have the time to do so.

Garden Key

Garden Key is the main island and has the only campsite within the national park. So naturally, this is where you will begin your journey.

There is a moat which surrounds the around, built to protect the fort from the rough waters, and you will be able to find lots of fantastic marine life around it. Do not swim inside the moat, as it is not permitted. You can only swim around the moat. For anybody looking to go snorkeling at Dry Tortugas, the moat is not only easily accessible but a fantastic experience.

The moat wall can also be an incredible spot to snorkel at night. The fish will be much more docile and you will be able to focus more on your area rather than the whole ocean floor. But make sure to take every precaution if you plan to snorkel at night. It is a much different experience than snorkeling during the day. If you are a beginner, make sure to swim during the day so you are familiar with the environment. Notable Marine Life: reef squid, nurse sharks, hogfish, lobsters, crabs, shrimp.

The other major area to snorkel in Garden Key is the Historic Coaling Pier Pilings. These were constructed by the Navy to act as a fueling spot but were abandoned when a hurricane caused massive destruction. Luckily for snorkelers, this is a great spot to view bigger fish, including tarpons, barracudas, and maybe even sharks. The corals that grew on the pilings are definitely worth a look as well. Notable Marine Life: tarpons, barracudas, sharks

Loggerhead Key

Loggerhead Key is the biggest island in Dry Tortugas National Park and it is named after the loggerhead sea turtles that reside in the area. There is no lodging options available on the island, therefore any trips out here will be a day trip. It is a lonely island with an abandoned lighthouse in the center. The only way to get to Loggerhead Key is via private boat, so be sure to arrange transportation if you plan on visiting.

Loggerhead has the most popular spot for diving and snorkeling at Dry Tortugas National Park – Windjammer Shipwreck. The backstory is that in 1901, a ship named Avanti wrecked on Loggerhead Reef on its way to Uruguay. The best places to snorkel at Windjammer is the bow and stern of the ship, where marine life congregates. You can obtain a map of the shipwreck at the National Park office, which should guide you on where to go. Notable Marine Life: Barracudas, sharks, jewfish, tropical fish

The other popular snorkeling spot in Loggerhead Key is Little Africa Coral Reef, which is on the north side of the island. This area is calm and shallow, perfect for snorkeling for even first-timers. This is why some snorkelers call this their favorite spot to snorkel in Dry Tortugas. Do not miss this gem when you visit Loggerhead. Notable Marine Life: Barracuda, lobsters, tropical fish

Recommended Itinerary:

There is simply too much to do at Dry Tortugas National Park, even aside from snorkeling, to fit in one day. Furthermore, snorkeling by the wall moat at night is an awesome experience that all seasoned snorkelers should encounter. Stay at least one night and allocate ample time to snorkel around the moat and the pier. If you are staying longer, take the private boat out to Loggerhead and visit Windjammer and Little Africa. Snorkeling at Dry Tortugas is one of the most unique experiences you will have. Make you prepare well for a great trip, and check out our hot deals for amazing flight prices!