A sign-up sheet will be available at 6:30am. 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. Cannot wait to do it again!!! Private boat owners in Key West rent their boats to people who want a boat to explore the Keys through Boatsetter. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. 1 / 9. Yankee Freedom Ferry (includes the National Park Fee): More Information for Your Trip to Florida, Read all of our articles about Florida in our. Dry Tortugas Snorkeling Adventure | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park includes use of Snorkeling Gear. best things to do along the Florida Keys. I normally dont so I didnt. Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and is accessible by boat and seaplane only. - Key West Charter Boat Visit the Dry Tortugas on one of our amazing Key West to Dry Tortugas charters. 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. 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. Public ferries and seaplanes depart regularly to the park, and fishing and dive charters can be booked from the Florida Keys and Naples. The Dry Tortugas are a group of small islands composed of coral reefs located in the Gulf of Mexico at the end of the Florida Keys, United States. Manage booking Connect Search MENU TICKETS Yankee Freedom - Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry 2068 reviews slideshow video Book this tour Overview Details Schedule 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. The ferry serves a continental breakfast that consists of coffee, cereal, and doughnuts. Private Charter: Which One is Better? | 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. Shipwrecks and Treasure For a list of approved private charters, visit the National Park Service website. Private charter boat is your other option. NATIONAL PARKS IN FLORIDA: Learn more about the national parks in Florida in our guides to the Evergladesand Biscayne National Park. FLORIDA KEYS: Plan your Florida Keys road trip with our Florida Keys Itinerary, which has suggestions on how to road trip from Miami to Key West. Before your visit, you will need to get a permit. The plane flies low, so you can also see nurse sharks and sea turtles in the water (yes, the water is that clear! The ferry from Key West to Dry Tortugas is the Yankee Freedom III. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Key West Seaplane Adventures offers a 4-hours and 8-hour adventures to Dry Tortugas National Park. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or by seaplane. Dry Tortugas Ferry | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park. [CDATA[ (function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); // ]]> Disclosure: A HUGE thank you to Historic Tours of America for hosting us on our trip. Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. This includes the National Park entrance fee. It was worth every dollar! Q: How do I make a camping reservation? Seriously this is one of those locations to add to your bucket list. We do not keep a waiting list and will not call you in case of cancellations. But you are on a 2 and a half hour boat ride there and back (its 70 miles off of Key West), plus they feed you breakfast and lunch. Cost: $200 per adult, $145 for children 4 to 16, $190 for students, seniors, and active military The Yankee Freedom 3 is a large catamaran so this was not smooth sailing. We also found some older shells that were seriously gigantic. UNESCO Listed: Park Of The 1976 UNESCO Everglades & Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve Today it is a stunning paradise to explore. If you take the ferry over, you can camp on the island. We promise to never spam you, and just use your email address to identify you as a valid customer. Why? But we had to get on the boat to head back. - See 5,527 traveler reviews, 4,181 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. Departure 8:00 am. 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 They were so vibrant and beautiful. Personally, I would save your money and spend it on a couple other water excursions like a snorkel trip to the reef or a sunset sail. However, the boat in the photo above looks very similar to the Yankee Freedom ferry. Catch a ride on the Dry Tortugas ferry or book a ticket on a seaplane to Dry Tortugas to truly explore what this Florida . You cannot bring camping equipment on the seaplane. Getting to the Dry Tortugas by Ferry The Yankee Freedom is the ferry that connects Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. Yankee Freedom Dry tortugas national park ferry, Breakfast and Lunch (campers, arrival day only), Beach walk, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun, Fully narrated 45 minute tour of the fort, Ticket includes entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most unique destinations in the entire U.S., as it combines history and a pristine marine ecosystem into one unforgettable experience. I would start saving now! Seriously how can the water be those colors?! You will have Dry Tortugas to yourself once the ferry leaves Garden Key. Return Departure 3:00pm. use of snorkeling gear. 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. 100 Grinnell Street Key West Florida 33040. Both come with their advantages and disadvantages, and which one you choose depends on cost, how much time you have, if you plan to camp on Garden Key, and other factors such as seasickness. You can also go on a 45 minute narrated tour of the fort. Breakfast Lunch. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. 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. Be the first to review this product! But I'll agree with the others that the seaplane is totally worth it. There are two options for most people getting to Dry Tortugas which is located 70 miles from the coast of Key West, Florida. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. To reserve, call Yankee Freedom's phone at 1-800-634-0939. If you love Key West snorkeling, then Dry Tortugas National Park offers some of the best snorkeling and skin diving in North America, just 70 miles from Key West and the Florida Keys. You do need to book your trip in advance, providing names of the passengers, so planning a trip out to the islands is required. Top 10 list to #PlanLikeaParkRanger for a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park. The beach itself is a palm-lined paradise, where . There are 3 of us who would need tickets. Yes No An official form of the United States government. For even more information, check out our Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Guide. By noon, we were back in Key West and had all afternoon in town. Whether swimming, sun bathing or just plain strolling, you will enjoy the crystal blue waters, swaying palm trees and soft, powdery sand of this island paradise. The boat leaves at 2:45pm so you only have about 4 hours to explore. On the day we were here, Yankee Freedom must have been using a different boat, since this is not their typical boat they use to go to the Dry Tortugas. 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. We've done it twice, I loved it so much the first time I couldn't wait to do it again. 21 Fun Things To Do In Port St Joe Florida, 17+ Fun Things To Do In Philadelphia With Kids [Plus 1 day Itinerary], Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park [Maps Included], Get off the Beaten Path: Best National Parks for Families - No Back Home, Crazy Family Adventure Fiesta Key RV Resort in the Florida Keys - Crazy Family Adventure, RV Living With Kids - What We've Learned After 2 Years - Crazy Family Adventure, 29 Things To Do In Key West For A Certifiably Awesome Adventure, 29 Things To Do In Florida On The Ultimate Sunshine State Road Trip, florida beaches: 25 best family vacation destinations, Florida Keys: 3 State Parks & 1 Dreamy National Park You Can't Miss, Florida Keys with Kids: Things to do on a Florida Keys Family Vacation - Family Travel Blog - Travel with Kids, Visit Dry Tortugas National Park The Most Beautiful Place In The US, 15 Lesser Known U.S. National Parks - Family Vacation Ideas, The Ultimate Guide to Yosemite Resorts - Tenaya Lodge, National Parks: Your Guide To The Best Outdoor Adventure. Dry Tortugas National Park is located roughly 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Key West, Florida. It was crazy! more. This site uses cookies. This product hasn't received any reviews yet. The second half of the Dry Tortugas Ferry takes you 70 miles through the Gulf to Fort Jefferson National Park, a Civil War-era fort used as a prison. Yankee Freedom, LLC is authori 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96966450', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight is AMAZING itself. People do sometimes miss (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas National Park: Fantastic Day Trip - See 5,527 traveler reviews, 4,181 candid photos, and great deals for Key West, FL, at Tripadvisor. Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. 16 Tips For A Magical Visit To Universal Orlando Resort! All prices are in USD. You can click here to learn more about the prices and availability for camping on the island. Are there any other options? You can check out their blog post about it here. Go to https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/ and click on the Book Now button. For most visitors, particularly those on a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park, the sites at Garden Key are the most accessible. I was iffy upon seeing the initial cost but it looks phenomenal and highly likely Ill do it. If you have any questions about how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, let us know in the comment section below. #truth, 11 East Coast National Parks You Want To Visit This Year, 29 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama. Yankee Freedom Dry tortugas national park ferry, https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/. The Yankee Freedom Ferry operates daily from Key West to Dry Tortugas-departing Key West at 8:00 AM and returning at 3:00 PM. Rescheduling: Powered by Mai Theme, 12 Best Things To Do In Crystal River FL You Shouldnt Miss. Q: Do you have spaces for xx/xx/xxxx? Get on the ferry wait list, you might get lucky. Really wanted to go to Dry Tortugas but it is sold out during the month of April. Craig tends to get seasick so he didnt take any chances and took dramamine from the beginning. 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. Unfortunately, I was an idiot and didn't book reservations for the ferry to Dry Tortugas early enough. There are a handful of maintenance workers and park rangers that actually live inthe fort at the Dry Tortugas. It's the stuff that bucket lists are made of. On average, the warmest months are May, June, July, August, and September. Required fields are marked *. The plane parks at a beach on Garden Key and this is where you get off. 5 What to pack when taking the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park. Address. Dry Tortugas National Park is a must-see if you're visiting Key West. 3.1 Snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas. Campers should confirm their return dates at the time of ticket purchase and with the captain on the outbound trip. This is paradise! Plan a full day for your visit, and be prepared to spend the day in awe of the natural beauty of the park. beer and wine available . Parking is free and plentiful at the seaplane terminal. If my only option was a daytrip by ferry .. Some of the common and rare species you will encounter along the Florida Birding Trail at the Dry Tortugas National Park include: Roseate and Bridled Terns, Masked and Brown Boobies, Red-Necked Phalarope, Red-Footed Boobie, Double-Crested Cormorants, Brown Pelicans, Frigate Birds, the Caribbean Short-Eared Owl, White-Tailed Tropicbird, Shiny For more rates, click here. If you have your own boat, you can visit Dry Tortugas National Park without taking the ferry or seaplane. Tip 1: Plan to get to the boat terminal well before 7am just to be sure you arent late!! 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. Please read my disclosure for more info. Has anyone ever had luck getting there at 6:00 and going standby? We use cookies to give you the best experience. Due to the no refunds cancellation policy of the ferry, it's pretty unusual for people to not show up for reservations. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112874403', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While you are visiting the Dry Tortugas you can walk within the Fort and around it. The only thing is there is no running water on the island so you have to come prepared. They are located 70 miles west of Key West. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Here are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. Go Snorkeling at Garden Key. The Yankee Freedom ferry (The Yankee Freedom III) leaves Key West at 8 am. Also, be sure to check out our Florida Road Trip as this is a stop on the route and our Florida Keys Road Trip post. The Dry Tortugas has kind of been loved to death these days. The ride can be very choppy so if you are prone to motion sickness this may not be the best way to . Ticket includes entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. Hopefully next year my dream will come true! Unfortunately, when we were there it was a little cooler and the water was really cloudy from all the storms. Reservations on the ferry are limited and sell out 9-12 months in advance so please plan ahead! Here are some of our suggestions on what to bring to make your trip memorable! Im sure some people have gotten on, but with the no cancellation refund policy it has become very unusual for someone to not show up. However, that will be more $ than buying every seat on the seaplane. Grateful for anyone's advice. Yankee Freedom, LLC is authori Better early then late and missing the boat! From the minute I saw a picture of the Dry Tortugas, part of the National Park Service,I have wanted to go there! 3 Things to do at Dry Tortugas National Park. Reply Best price guaranteed, verified reviews, and secure online booking. The seaplane disadvantage is you only get about 2-1/2 hours on the island for the basic fare vs. about 4-1/2 hours with the ferry option. Re: Dry Tortugas 1 year ago Save Take your comfortable seat and enjoy the relaxing ride to the Dry Tortugas National Park Fort Jefferson, just 70 miles west of Key West. The (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Midday, the ferry deposits a lot of people on the island, so it is more crowded during this time. LEARN MORE Secluded Beaches Secluded Beaches By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Q: Do you have a waiting list I can put my name on? It was so cool to see. RESERVE EARLY! We were on the first flight at 8 am. 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. 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. Since we didnt have the kids with us we figured we would take advantage of the fact that we could close our eyes and get some sleep! These beautiful, pristine beaches are a Key West attraction not to be missed. 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. For more information on Dry Tortugas camping, visit the park's website. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park Experience a journey like no other aboard the Yankee Freedom. It was enough time to walk around and explore the island. from my point of view don't hesitate to send me a pm. "One of the 10 great places to explore nooks and crevasses" USA Today, "One of the top 10 things to do in the Florida Keys" Islands Magazine, "One of the coolest things to do in Key West" Rachael Ray Magazine, {{current_weather.dt | momentjs( atts.date )}}. Fully Narrated 45-min. Departing from the Historic Seaport area of Key West each morning, it's quite the boat trip. So join us and take in the sights in a private rental boat from Boatsetter. Camping in the Dry Tortugas National Park is definitely an experience of a lifetime! . If you want a day trip you can book a ferry to Bimini or Grand Bahamas from Ft Lauderdale and come back the same day. There is also a big price difference between taking the seaplane flight and the Yankee Freedom Ferry. If you have limited time and want a sample then the Ft. Zachary one our tour is a good way to make up your mind if the full day trip is worth it. Report inappropriate content jordansbulls Houston, Texas Level Contributor 54,064 posts 840 reviews 257 helpful votes 5. We have been to a lot of beaches but this is the first time we had seen so many in once place. Check-in time is at 7 am (6:30 am for campers). Neither of these locations are close to Key West. A maximum of 68 campers can stay here and space is on a first-come, first-served basis. They do not transport campers to the island. Ferry To Dry Tortugas. Cost. They warn you to be very careful since the closest hospital is over 2 1/2 hours away! The snorkeling is actually better at the reef. Cost: $200 per adult, $145 for children 4 to 16, $190 for students, seniors, and active military National Park Fee: Included in the ferry ticket price Camping trips: If you plan to camp, the fee is $220 Length of Time: 10.5 hours (4.5 hours at the Dry Tortugas, 5 hours cruising time, 1 hour for check-in and boarding in Key West). Please note that the National Park Service does not keep a . 2. Our friends at Tiny Shiny Home had a chance to camp with their 4 kids. No Hidden Fees. Some of the activities include exploring Fort Jefferson, snorkeling, birdwatching, camping, scuba diving, fishing, and kayaking. Web Visit website. The Dry Tortugas National Park is a series of islands around 70 miles from Florida's Key West. Yankee Freedom, LLC is authori 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. All rights reserved. Rescheduling will be accommodated only if space is available for the requested dates. Cookie Notice Although Dry Tortugas Beach is located some 70 miles away within Fort Jefferson National Park, its beach is considered part of Key West's seaside offerings thanks to the Dry Tortugas Ferry. Dry Tortugas Charter Trips - Book Today! After pulling in we grabbed a quick lunch on the boat and then headed out to start exploring! NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. How Much Is A Ferry Ride To Dry Tortugas? Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. [CDATA[ (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/97/1032023597.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-9fl4orvz7")); // ]]> Craig and I got up at 4:30am in the morning so we could get ready and drive an hour to get to Key West to be there by 6:30 so we could park and get to the terminal. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96965502', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight in the morning or last in the afternoon though. They offer flights throughout the day, and you can choose between a half day visit and a full day visit. PRO TRAVEL TIP: The seaplane carries 10 people, and two seaplanes travel together. And while you're heading down there/back up, try to do the Everglades too! By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112876696', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane. //