They warn you to be very careful since the closest hospital is over 2 1/2 hours away! Departure 8:00 am. Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! It looks absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, I was an idiot and didn't book reservations for the ferry to Dry Tortugas early enough. Phone +1 305-242-7700. #truth, 11 East Coast National Parks You Want To Visit This Year, 29 Best Things To Do In Gulf Shores, Alabama. 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. I`ve been dreaming to go there for a long time. Theres something for everyone! Top 10 list to #PlanLikeaParkRanger for a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park. Best price guaranteed, verified reviews, and secure online booking. Camping at the Dry Tortugas is very popular. We have friends who have done the snorkeling in the past and it looked amazing! The way nature intended it to be. Neither of these locations are close to Key West. The (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Getting to the Dry Tortugas by Ferry The Yankee Freedom is the ferry that connects Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. Privacy Policy. This includes the National Park entrance fee. 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. Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. 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. Photos from the Flight to Dry Tortugas National Park. Click to Chat. The cost was about $165 per person ($15 cheaper with a National Park Pass). LEARN MORE. Learn more on the National Park Service website. All schedules are subject to change. All prices are in USD. Camping is completely sold out through April 2021. See here for other Florida beaches you have never heard of. We considered doing this, since we also wanted to visit Loggerhead Key, but the price tag for this is extremely high (the one we looked at was about $3000 for the day). At 3 pm, the ferry departs Dry Tortugas National Park, and you will arrive in Key West at 5:30 pm. View our ADA Accessibility Policy. Below I list more advantages and disadvantages for each mode of transportation. Lea AFTER BOOKING PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM RESERVATION (305) 222-1199. [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. The Dry Tortugas ferry is a large catamaran called the Yankee Freedom III. Manage booking Connect Search MENU TICKETS Yankee Freedom - Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry 2068 reviews slideshow video Book this tour Overview Details Schedule By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The Yankee Freedom III. 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 ferry is sold out for our dates that we are in town and the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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, 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. Cost: $200 per adult, $145 for children 4 to 16, $190 for students, seniors, and active military 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. Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know on how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. The only thing is there is no running water on the island so you have to come prepared. 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. Cookie Notice By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. You can rent a bareboat, or a captained boat, for a few hours or a few days. Not totally correct. 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. 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. But I'll agree with the others that the seaplane is totally worth it. For more information, please see our Provided by Touchpoints Dry Tortugas National Park: Nice trip! Drive, walk or ride your bicycle aboard one of our three ferries. tour of the Fort Beach walking, snorkel, swim, or just relax in the sun No Hidden Fees. Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas Ferry 4.7. We were on the first flight at 8 am. View our ADA Accessibility Policy. It is expensive at $200 per adult. You do have to pay for it and prices vary based on when you are going (but it isnt much more then the tickets to get there). I agree with everyone about the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It was rocky from the beginning but when we got into the channel it REALLY started to rock. The ferry from Key West to Dry Tortugas is the Yankee Freedom III. Private Charter: Which One is Better? We use cookies to give you the best experience. 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 With about 30 minutes left I took a dramamine because I was not sure if I was going to make it! Campers should confirm their return dates at the time of ticket purchase and with the captain on the outbound trip. 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. You do need to book your trip in advance, providing names of the passengers, so planning a trip out to the islands is required. Craig tends to get seasick so he didnt take any chances and took dramamine from the beginning. Then when you land in Key West check the wait list daily and check in at the on ground ticket booth daily as well. Take the official Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry, the Yankee Freedom, to visit Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National park. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Key West Seaplane Adventures provides snorkel gear and coolers with ice and water or soft drinks. 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. Take a peek at Dry Tortugas National Park's Fort Jefferson on Google Maps, then click on the satellite feature and . As a place filled with great beauty, solitude, and history, Dry Tortugas is one of the greatest weekend getaways in Florida. - Key West Charter Boat Visit the Dry Tortugas on one of our amazing Key West to Dry Tortugas charters. While you are visiting the Dry Tortugas you can walk within the Fort and around it. Yankee Freedom, LLC is authori Plus they were huge! You can check out their blog post about it here. | Sit back, relax and enjoy the view. After pulling in we grabbed a quick lunch on the boat and then headed out to start exploring! I was iffy upon seeing the initial cost but it looks phenomenal and highly likely Ill do it. Explore and learn of its history with one of our KEY WEST: For a list of top experiences in Key West, read our article Best Things to Do in Key West. 4 Where to Stay when Visiting the Dry Tortugas. To reserve, call Yankee Freedom's phone at 1-800-634-0939. About Port Jefferson Ferry: Port Jefferson Ferry. Since we just did a day visit, we thought it made more sense for Craig and I to go. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Has anyone ever had luck getting there at 6:00 and going standby? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My wife and I are from Northwest FL and are finally making it down to the keys for our anniversary. The Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry is called theYankee Freedomiii. Next time we go back we also want to check out Loggerhead Key. Q: Do you have a waiting list I can put my name on? There was no question that this beach was #1 on our list of the Top 10 Beaches In The Florida Keys. 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. Due to the no refunds cancellation policy of the ferry, it's pretty unusual for people to not show up for reservations. The trip was about 2.5 hours each way. Dry Tortugas Charter Trips - Book Today! Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the NPS and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. This high speed, state of the art catamaran is the perfect way to sail across the 70-mile run to the Dry Tortugas. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Before your visit, you will need to get a permit. Check out my recent review of the ferry ride titled "A must do for local history & day trip seekers". Next we headed to the top and walked around the edge of the fort and the views just kept getting better and better. The water color starts to change, the fort has old-fashion charm, and all the sooty terns birds are amazing. Totally worth it. It was used as a prison during the Civil War. For even more information, check out our Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Guide. A: If you are planning to take the day trip you can book immediately online at https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/. UNESCO Listed: Park Of The 1976 UNESCO Everglades & Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve Today it is a stunning paradise to explore. 5 What to pack when taking the ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park. A ferry ride to Dry Tortugas National Park An optional guided tour of historic Fort Jefferson Complimentary breakfast and picnic lunch Sanitized snorkeling gear Plenty of free time for swimming, snorkeling, bird spotting, photography, and exploring the island . I was not disappointed. It is usually booked months ahead of time!! After you factor in lunch time and fully exploring Ft. Jefferson I found even that was too little time with the ferry option. It is the largest island in the Dry Tortugas and is supposed to have a lot of loggerhead sea turtles and also a Lighthouse. I just checked the seaplane's web page and ithe entrance fee is now $15.00 pp payable only in cash. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the NPS and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. use of snorkeling gear. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Key West Seaplane Charters Morning, Afternoon or Full Day Tours to the park on a seaplane The Yankee Freedom Ferry Take a high-speed catamaran for day and camping trips. There are 3 of us who would need tickets. We do not keep a waiting list and will not call you in case of cancellations. 3.4 Camping on Garden Key. 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. 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. Dry Tortugas Snorkeling Adventure | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park includes use of Snorkeling Gear. 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. If you have your own boat, you can visit Dry Tortugas National Park without taking the ferry or seaplane. If my only option was a daytrip by ferry .. The seven tiny islands of Dry Tortugas are a vital layover for migrating birds traveling between South America and the United States making a staple in the Great Florida Birding Trail. 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. A maximum of 68 campers can stay here and space is on a first-come, first-served basis. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. No Hidden Fees. They are not going to wait for you. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Fort Jefferson is the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere consisting of more than 16 million bricks. Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas Ferry Tickets route/stop changes on the day of your tour. 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. from my point of view don't hesitate to send me a pm. August: High of 92 F and a low of 79 F. September: High of 90 F and a low of 77 F. October: High of 85 F and a low of 75 F. November: High of 79 F and a low of 70 F. October and November have comfortable temperatures, but peak hurricane season tends to last through November, so it's still not a great time to visit. Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. If you have any questions about how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, let us know in the comment section below. Dry Tortugas campground is one of the most beautiful settings you can imagine. ; 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. It was enough time to walk around and explore the island. 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 . Please see our website for full policy. We will be back and when we do go back we will definitely plan on camping for 3 nights! 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. A high-speed catamaran, our vessel transports guests 70 miles from Key West to the Park. Yankee Freedom: Wow! It then makes the two-and-a-half-hour ride to the dock at Garden Key. This secluded park is located about 70 miles from Key West, and it definitely deserves a spot as one of the best places to . A: We do not have a waiting list. You should dress warmly if you're doing a Hells Canyon jet boat anytime but summer, but dress in layers. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Then all of a sudden this island pops up out of nowhere. Catch a ride on the Dry Tortugas ferry or book a ticket on a seaplane to Dry Tortugas to truly explore what this Florida . 800-634-0939. info@yankeefreedom.com. 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. Book the first flight of the day. The half-day excursion for four hours from Seaplane Adventures costs between $250 and $400 per person, while the full-day excursion for eight hours costs between $515 and $650 per person. We did the half day tour by seaplane and loved it, even though it went by extremely fast. Not sure what your budget is but you could always try the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Youll hear captivating stories about the fort, its remarkable history and its surroundings. capacity 175 passangers . Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. Plan a full day for your visit, and be prepared to spend the day in awe of the natural beauty of the park. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the 100-square mile Dry Tortugas National Park is sited 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West. Cannot wait to do it again!!! Click here to buy your tickets for the Dry Tortugas. During your voyage, youll enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Marquesa Islands, Boca Grande. Before departure each day we spray all mouthpieces and vest with the same solution and let them sit overnight. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. 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. Required fields are marked *. Half Day Seaplane + National Park Fee: $386 Yankee Freedom Ferry (includes the National Park Fee): $200 Price Difference: $186. There is no other way to do it. We especially liked the view of the beach where we had found the conch shells. RESERVE EARLY! Save. Undoubtedly the most exciting way to get out to The Dry Tortugas, traveling by seaplane is also the fastest way to get there and gives you the most time on the island. This is a very popular trip that will sell out weeks in advance. It was the right decision. Wonderful Transportation To Dry Tortugas NP Jul 2021 Solo I took the Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park for the day from Key West. Before we left we walked over to check out the tent camping area and the other beach area where people were snorkeling. If you just look at cost, the private charter is the most expensive option. 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. Here are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. The seaplane to Dry Tortugas will charge entrance fees to park upon arrival. We use cookies to give you the best experience. It was worth every dollar! Made up of seven small islands, it is one of the worlds most unique eco-attractions. This secluded park is located about 70 miles from Key West, and it definitely deserves a spot as one of the best places to . The ferry is your only "cheap" option. Upon departure from Key West, you will enjoy a continental breakfast of fresh fruit, freshly baked bagels, doughnuts, cereal, orange juice, and coffee. This product hasn't received any reviews yet. NOTE: we do not provide the kayaks, only transportation. Breath-taking. There will be a signup sheet on a clipboard at the electric car rental desk under the Ferry Terminal. These beautiful, pristine beaches are a Key West attraction not to be missed. 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. But if you are visiting the Florida Keys for longer, we recommend Fiesta RV Resort, Sunshine Key RV Resort, Pelican RV Resort & Marina, and Hawks Cay Hotel and Resort. You have to add the sales tax, the $10.00 pp entrance fee to the park, and will very likely need a cab both to and from the airport. Per CDC guidelines all our snorkels, masks, fins, and vests are dipped into a solution of water and Buckeye International SaniQ, washed with fresh water, and then hung on the rail to dry. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. The word "dry" was later added to the name to indicate to other sailors the lack of fresh water on the islands. There are two ways to get here: by boat or by seaplane. Going by ferry turns your visit into a full day experience and most of that will be spent on board the ferry. Private charter boat is your other option. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-96966450', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight is AMAZING itself. Its worth it, if you have that kind of money to spend, and if you want to take your time here. Address. If not do the walking tour at Fort Zach to get a sample of that type of history. With 4 young kids maybe not, since we are sure it gets really quiet on the island after the ferry leaves. Book Now and Explore Uncharted Territory at the Dry Tortugas National Park! We had to capture it to share with you guys! Dry Tortugas is made up of seven islands: Garden Key, Loggerhead Key, Bush Key, Long Key, Hospital Key, Middle Key, and East Key The word tortugas is Spanish for turtles, due to the large amount that inhabit the surrounding waters. 2. //