Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park. Key West Seaplane Adventures provides snorkel gear and coolers with ice and water or soft drinks. http://www.travelthruhistory.tv/explore-dry-tortugas-fort-jefferson-key-west-fl/ - Things to do in Key West, FL. At the heart of the Dry Tortugas sits Fort Jefferson, a . Saint Augustine is pretty cool too- a national park/iconic . 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. Because of these special requirements, you will need to speak with a reservation agent to determine availability of kayak transport for your dates of interest. The weather had been really rainy and windy so the ocean was NOT calm. Below we shared tips on visiting the Dry Tortugas, Florida and what to expect when you visit. Go to https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/ and click on the Book Now button. 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. Yankee Freedom III - Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry. Thankfully the National Park limits visitors to 175 people, so there is only one ferry. Get on the Yankee Freedom III ferry waiting list now. Camping at Fort Jefferson is PRIMITIVE CAMPING! Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! Its crown jewel, the historic Fort Jefferson, was once used as a prison during the Civil War. Camping at the Dry Tortugas is very popular. A: You can check day trip and camping availability online. Unfortunately, I was an idiot and didn't book reservations for the ferry to Dry Tortugas early enough. Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the NPS and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Midday, the ferry deposits a lot of people on the island, so it is more crowded during this time. Best Things to Do in Dry Tortugas National Park, Best Things to do at Dry Tortugas National Park. Totally worth it. Then the second floor had these amazing arched openings with these views that seemed to be a canvas that an artist had painted. Yankee Freedom Ferry (includes the National Park Fee): More Information for Your Trip to Florida, Read all of our articles about Florida in our. Some of the activities include exploring Fort Jefferson, snorkeling, birdwatching, camping, scuba diving, fishing, and kayaking. Before we left we walked over to check out the tent camping area and the other beach area where people were snorkeling. 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. It was enough time to walk around and explore the island. The Yankee Freedom 3 is a large catamaran so this was not smooth sailing. If you just look at cost, the private charter is the most expensive option. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112876696', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane. Dry Tortugas Snorkeling Adventure | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park includes use of Snorkeling Gear. Cost. Shipwrecks and Treasure It was worth every dollar! Are there any other options? At 3 pm, the ferry departs Dry Tortugas National Park, and you will arrive in Key West at 5:30 pm. I just checked the seaplane's web page and ithe entrance fee is now $15.00 pp payable only in cash. Q: Can I cancel my reservations and get a refund? You can click here to learn more about the prices and availability for camping on the island. 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 Then all of a sudden this island pops up out of nowhere. You can also go on a 45 minute narrated tour of the fort. Hopefully next year my dream will come true! When you take the ferry to the Dry Tortugas, you get to the island at about 10:30am. Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. Breakfast Lunch. I was iffy upon seeing the initial cost but it looks phenomenal and highly likely Ill do it. Dry Tortugas Ferry | Key West Ferry Boat to Dry Tortugas National Park. Next we headed to the top and walked around the edge of the fort and the views just kept getting better and better. All rights reserved. The snorkeling is actually better at the reef. There are two ways to get here: by boat or by seaplane. There are two options for most people getting to Dry Tortugas which is located 70 miles from the coast of Key West, Florida. Be the first to review this product! News Release Date: October 9, 2022 Contact: Allyson Gantt, 786-610-8023 Contact: Mike Litterst, 202-306-4166 Key West, Fla. - Concession-operated ferry service to Dry Tortugas National Park will resume on Monday, October 10 after engineers inspected the storm-damaged dock on Garden Key and determined it is safe to partially reopen. But we had to get on the boat to head back. . The minute we hit the open water it was rocky. LEARN MORE. Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park Experience a journey like no other aboard the Yankee Freedom. KEY WEST: For a list of top experiences in Key West, read our article Best Things to Do in Key West. The ferry from Key West to Dry Tortugas is the Yankee Freedom III. 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. The seaplane to Dry Tortugas will charge entrance fees to park upon arrival. They warn you to be very careful since the closest hospital is over 2 1/2 hours away! They are not going to wait for you. Does anyone know if it's worth it to show up REALLY early and wait in case you can get a spot from a no-show or cancellation? All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. As you pull in it is absolutely gorgeous. Public ferries and seaplanes depart regularly to the park, and fishing and dive charters can be booked from the Florida Keys and Naples. I spent several years working as a tour guide in Western-Canada, including the Rocky Mountains. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. capacity 175 passangers Report inappropriate content jordansbulls Houston, Texas Level Contributor 54,064 posts 840 reviews 257 helpful votes 5. 3.2 Hiking around Fort Jefferson. LEARN MORE Secluded Beaches Secluded Beaches Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. 4-12 hour fishing trips for family and friends. Terms and conditions subject to change without notice. We rounded the corner and their were hundreds of them all over the beach. For more information on Dry Tortugas camping, visit the park's website. As a place filled with great beauty, solitude, and history, Dry Tortugas is one of the greatest weekend getaways in Florida. Duration to : 2.5 hours each way. 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. 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 You will fly over the keys and the Marquesas Islands and get to see both Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park from the sky. Showing up at 7:30 is not likely to work. We will be back and when we do go back we will definitely plan on camping for 3 nights! It is the largest island in the Dry Tortugas and is supposed to have a lot of loggerhead sea turtles and also a Lighthouse. drinks on board. For even more information, check out our Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Guide. 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. Breakfast Lunch,use of snorkeling gear,guided tour of the fort. Campers should confirm their return dates at the time of ticket purchase and with the captain on the outbound trip. At that point, we only had 30 minutes left on Dry Tortugas before flying back to Key West. The ferry is sold out for our dates that we are in town and the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? View our ADA Accessibility Policy. Next time we go back we also want to check out Loggerhead Key. Yankee Freedom III, LLC is authorized by the NPS and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view. So, it costs an additional $186 for an adult to fly to Dry Tortugas National Park than to take the ferry. Must reschedule by 6:00pm Eastern TWO (2) DAYS prior to trip date by calling (305) 294-7009. Breath-taking. 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. Every time we turned a corner or looked a different direction it was another amazing view. When you travel by seaplane, you land in the waters just offshore from Garden Key. Rescheduling: Unfortunately, I struck out with both the seaplane and ferry when I tried to make it to Dry Tortugas on a recent Key West trip. How To Get Around Dry Tortugas National Park. A: Camping reservations must be made over the phone by calling 305-294-7009. 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. The ferry serves a continental breakfast that consists of coffee, cereal, and doughnuts. The 2.5-hour ferry ride is a magical trip over turquoise waters, and leaves you about . You do need to book your trip in advance, providing names of the passengers, so planning a trip out to the islands is required. Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission! Key West. Best price guaranteed, verified reviews, and secure online booking. Ferry To Dry Tortugas. Learn more on the National Park Service website. ), underwater sand dunes, reefs, shipwrecks, and the keys. 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. . Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Dry Tortugas National Park is a must-see if you're visiting Key West. Before your visit, you will need to get a permit. Get on the ferry wait list, you might get lucky. ed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior to serve the public at Dry Tortugas National Park. We use cookies to give you the best experience. We got amazing pictures when we were there and we kept telling ourselves to put the camera away. Check out my recent review of the ferry ride titled "A must do for local history & day trip seekers". If you return you'll know to book early. The huge majority of the 65,000 people who visit each year come on the 150-passenger Yankee Freedom Ferry, and despite the $190/person cost, this is the most affordable method of travel. 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. Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. Are there any other options? The Yankee Freedom ferry (The Yankee Freedom III) leaves Key West at 8 am. The (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Where should we stop to eat and what should we see on the drive to Key West? Since we just did a day visit, we thought it made more sense for Craig and I to go. [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. Private charter boat is your other option. We had to capture it to share with you guys! Its worth it, if you have that kind of money to spend, and if you want to take your time here. 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. We also found some older shells that were seriously gigantic. When you take the ferry to the Dry Tortugas, you get there at about 10:30am. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Yankee Freedom Dry Tortugas Ferry 4.7. . 365 Days a Year. 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 About Port Jefferson Ferry: Port Jefferson Ferry. Please note that the National Park Service does not keep a . The Dry Tortugas has kind of been loved to death these days. 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. There was a snorkeling spot that we wanted to try, and we never got to it because we ran out of time. If you are coming just to go to the Dry Tortugas, then you should stay in Key West. Perfect picture opportunity! Lea AFTER BOOKING PLEASE CALL TO CONFIRM RESERVATION (305) 222-1199. 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. The second-best option is to take the last flight of the day. Yankee Freedom Ferry Details Phone Number: 800-634-0939 Cost: Day trips to Dry Tortugas are $180 per adult. 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. A: If you are planning to take the day trip you can book immediately online at https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. NATIONAL PARKS IN FLORIDA: Learn more about the national parks in Florida in our guides to the Evergladesand Biscayne National Park. It was quite the experience and the ride. 16 Tips For A Magical Visit To Universal Orlando Resort! 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. If you are looking for activities to do in the Florida Keys that are north of Key West check out: Turtle Hospital and Dolphins Plus. Your email address will not be published. dry tortugas ferry wait list Register for <strong>Dry Tortugas Seaplane Excursion</strong> at <strong>Dry Tortugas</strong> National Park spiritual realm storiessql slammer downloadskyrim freezing xbox one dyshidrotic eczema treatment cream nvidia tesla m40 24gb mining Menu formarrayname stackblitz catholic prayer for ukraine and russia Here are some of the highlights of my countless trips to the three National Parks (Banff, Jasper and Yoho) in the Canadian Rockies. We (2 couples) will be in Key West in March. Getting to the Dry Tortugas by Ferry The Yankee Freedom is the ferry that connects Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park. Experience today the simplicity and comfort of travel. If you have any questions about how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, let us know in the comment section below. Dry Tortugas National Park is a must-see if you're visiting Key West. Save. So, if you want to visit the highlights of Dry Tortugas National Park and still have plenty of time in Key West, the half day tour, particularly the first time slot of the day, is a great option. We also have a detailed guide to the best things to do in the Dry Tortugas. Key West Seaplane Adventures is the only company that flies to Dry Tortugas National Park. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know on how to get to Dry Tortugas National Park. The island is absolutely beautiful and so peaceful. They are located 70 miles west of Key West. *Prices from January 2021. Take the Ferry to Dry Tortugas The best way for most park visitors to get to Dry Tortugas is by charter boat on the Yankee Freedom iii. Address. The only ferry authorized to enter the water in Dry Tortugas National Park is the Yankee Freedom. General availability can be checked by going to https://www.drytortugas.com/rates-reservations/ and clicking on the Book Now button. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. Options for Dry Tortugas National Park if ferry sold out, Re: Options for Dry Tortugas National Park if ferry sold out, Get answers to your questions about Key West, What are some good books to read during a trip to Key West. However, that will be more $ than buying every seat on the seaplane. 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. On average, the warmest months are May, June, July, August, and September. guides and enjoy an array of activities. Check-in cutoff is at 7:50am and if there are spaces available you will be accommodated in the order you lined up. Made up of seven small islands, it is one of the worlds most unique eco-attractions. Please read my disclosure for more info. Thsnk you! 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. Copyright 2023 Yankee Freedom III, LLC. Yankee Freedom: Wow! Yes No An official form of the United States government. 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). The snorkeling is actually better at the reef. The plane flies low, so you can also see nurse sharks and sea turtles in the water (yes, the water is that clear! Tip 1: Plan to get to the boat terminal well before 7am just to be sure you arent late!! ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. We took the ferry over. While you are visiting the Dry Tortugas you can walk within the Fort and around it. The Yankee Freedom has resumed normal capacity daily scheduled service to the Dry Tortugas. The Yankee Freedom III. DRY TORTUGAS: If Dry Tortugas National Park is on your to-do list, dont miss our guide to the Best Things to do at Dry Tortugas National Park. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Then you may have to arrive very early the morning of to grab any possible seats that are canceled at the last minute. 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). Dry Tortugas National Park is located roughly 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Key West, Florida. Your email address will not be published. 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. Join. 100 Grinnell Street Key West Florida 33040. If you love civil war and military history this is a must. This site uses cookies. What was your favorite view from the pictures we shared? And I know our dogs would love to live there and swim in the ocean every night! Dry Tortugas Charter Trips - Book Today! 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. No Hidden Fees. Below are four snorkeling sites at Garden Key. Re: Dry Tortugas 1 year ago Save Entry to the national park costs $15 and this is included in the price of the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry. Not sure what your budget is but you could always try the sea (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. 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. We walked back towards the fort and found a conch tree. //