Dry Tortugas National Park guide · 1 min read
Ferry or Seaplane: Reaching Garden Key
Both the ferry and the seaplane leave from Key West, which lies 70 miles east of the Dry Tortugas.
Vehicles can't make the trip, so every visitor arrives by boat or by air. The park sits out in the Gulf, far enough from the mainland that the crossing becomes part of the day.
The Yankee Freedom Ferry, a fast catamaran, makes daily day trips from Key West. The boat covers about 70 miles, and day visitors get roughly four and a half hours at the park. Breakfast, lunch, and snorkeling gear are included, and booking ahead is strongly advised. Much of the outing happens on the water, so set aside the whole day. The same ferry also runs camping trips for those who plan to stay on the island.
Key West Seaplane Charters is the only company flying to the park, offering morning, afternoon, and full day tours. The seaplane is quicker than the boat but costs more, and it makes a half day ashore possible. The flight itself is scenic, and the plane lands in the harbor at Garden Key.
Garden Key is the island where both routes end, and Fort Jefferson stands on it. After landing, visitors can take a narrated tour of the fort, follow its old walls on foot, and spend time snorkeling or swimming. Those staying longer can camp on the island or paddle a kayak out to Loggerhead Key.
Boaters with their own vessels can make the trip too, but a permit is required before the visit. Visitors who would rather have a guide can book charter boats or permitted tour guides for wildlife watching, snorkeling, diving, or fishing. Whatever route you pick, make reservations early, since camping space on the ferry is limited.
