Be prepared with the most accurate 10-day forecast for Dry Tortugas Natl Park, FL with highs, lows, chance of precipitation from The Weather Channel and Weather.com This is a short compilation video of our snorkeling adventure around Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida Keys. Snorkeling is in only four to seven feet of water, straight off a brilliant white sand beach. The park is 70 miles west of Key West at the end of the Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico. Snorkeling at Fort Jefferson was so fun that I’m hooked. Dry Tortugas National Park is unique compared to other National Parks in the USA. The islands are made up of reef and sand. I brought along an underwater camera for my snorkeling excursion, but I wasn’t able to mount it properly, so for the first two days, the camera was actually above water level while I was swimming. But it was just a normal fish! June: Peru / Bolivia / Colombia, Recently Completed Trips: The weather stays generally warm and sunny in every season. Upon arrival at Fort Jefferson, the friendly crew of the Yankee Freedom III will provide you with a snorkel, fins and mask for exploring the nearby reefs. We hope this guide helps you plan accordingly and that you have a great day out. The reason Dry Tortugas snorkeling is so ideal is because the islands themselves are part of the coral reef that surrounds Key West and the islands in this area of the sea. This trip is just under 4 hours long, providing at least 2 1/2 hours of island time at Fort Jefferson/Dry Tortugas. In … This thing is amazing – I’m buying one myself the next time I go underwater! My calves and lower back where my shirt was riding up got some brutal sun. Many of the smaller isles often disappear and become … So let’s explain a little about this incredible place and provide you with a scuba dive Dry Tortugas … Your email address will not be published. They are a chain of 7 islands that are remote and only … Complimentary fins, mask and snorkel are provided. And another! The corals receive their vibrant colors from polyps containing algae called zooxanthellae, which also helps to keep the corals alive. Like many places in the Florida Keys, snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas can be enjoyed by experts and novices alike. The following is a list of detailed Dry Tortugas scuba diving sites arranged alphabetically and includes their GPS coordinates. It was huge, alright – roughly seven feet long. With the winds coming out of the southeast, we decided to try snorkeling Little Africa since it is on the northwest side of Loggerhead … It’s a haven for snorkeling, along with birding, and civil war history. … Dry Tortugas National Park is a unique and beautiful park and … Thanks to its subtropical climate, Dry Tortugas National Park is open all year long. This made for much better pics and vids. The NPS strongly encourages people not to snorkel alone, since that’s how accidents happen, so I tried to wait until other snorkelers headed that way before I set out. The Dry Tortugas is … Although the temps are high and the summer/wet season accounts for the majority of annual rainfall, the summer/wet season provides the best conditions for snorkeling and viewing … Directly accessible from the brilliant white sand beach are the Fort Jefferson snorkeling areas. For those new to snorkeling like me, this is a fantastic place to try it out since there’s such a vibrant underwater world going on. Answer 1 of 2: I booked a trip after Christmas to visit the Dry Tortugas. Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. The Dry Tortugas is a cluster of … More on Key West Snorkeling Reservations. Like many places in the Florida Keys, snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas can be enjoyed by experts and novices alike. And the best snorkeling in North America is at Dry Tortugas National Park right near Key West. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote and difficult to access national parks in the country. A Dry Tortugas day trip from Key West checks a lot of boxes: secluded white sand beaches, spectacular snorkeling, and exploring history with stories of pirates and a 19th century fort. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. … It also has the best snorkeling in the Florida Keys. GMZ033-034-152115- Gulf waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of Mexico including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- 1014 AM EST Tue Dec … Even if … Be prepared with the most accurate 10-day forecast for Dry Tortugas Natl Park, FL with highs, lows, chance of precipitation from The Weather Channel and Weather.com Alternately, there is a twice-a-day seaplane service that takes about 40 minutes and offers about 2.5 hours at Dry Tortugas. African Safari /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. However, an overnight dive to Dry Tortugas National Park with YKnot Charters is an experience that cannot be equaled by anything else. Dry Tortugas National Park is situated at the southwest corner of the Florida Keys reef system, the third largest in the world. Seattle is my current homebase between trips. A desert island paradise at the tip of the Florida Keys, the islands known as the Dry Tortugas offer incredible snorkeling, diving, swimming and wildlife-viewing opportunities. I’m Scott, a freelance writer who began blogging about oddball roadside attractions during a road trip through 46 states in 2009. GMZ033-034-152115- Gulf waters from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms- Gulf of Mexico including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel- 1014 AM EST Tue Dec 15 2020 THIS AFTERNOON East winds near 5 knots. West of Key West and just west of Dry Tortugas, the snorkeling at Loggerhead Key is known for its coral reefs. Your email address will not be published. Welcome! HOwever I just read deeper into the park website and the weather page says the seas can be high, windy and visibility poor in the winter. The park is 70 miles west of Key West at the end of the Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico. Overnight Dive Charter To Dry Tortugas Diving is magical, allowing you to discover a world otherwise unreachable for most of us. Each highlighted name will take you to the informational page on that particular dive Dry Tortugas … A reef does not technically surround these islands, but they make up part of the reef that surrounds the lower Keys. Required fields are marked *. Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote and difficult to access national parks in the country. Overnight Dive Charter To Dry Tortugas Diving is magical, allowing you to discover a world otherwise unreachable for most of us. Mount Rainier National Park In the shallower waters and near the shore you can also find patches of healthy coral reefs, which are havens for marine life and snorkelers of all levels alike. Located just in front of the boat pier lies historic Fort Jefferson and the island’s white sandy beaches. The shallow waters (5 to 15 feet) are easily accessible straight from the beach. At first, I thought it was a shark. It can cause painful, stinging, burning sensations, and if you're allergic to it, may result in nasty wounds. Windjammer wreck, Dry Tortugas The Windjammer Wreck, located less than a mile southwest of Loggerhead Key, is the most complete wreck site in the Dry Tortugas. Windjammer wreck, Dry Tortugas The Windjammer Wreck, located less than a mile southwest of Loggerhead Key, is the most complete wreck site in the Dry Tortugas. If you need to stand when you are out in the water, stand in the sand so that you don’t harm reefs or seagrass. But a millisecond later, the blurry, giant object on the ocean floor about 20 feet away from me came into focus. Safari by Snorkel. So instead of using the basic snorkel that I have trouble with, I brought along a friend’s full-face snorkel mask. Snorkeling & Diving in Dry Tortugas National Park Dry Tortugas National Park is home to history and natural wonders above and below the water surface. The park’s remote location, coupled by the easterly flowing gulf current that passes south of the park, creates the perfect habitat for an abundance of marine life. We had spent all day snorkeling and playing in the water in Dry Tortugas National Park – which is small group of islands located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Florida. It is important for snorkelers not to touch the corals, as damaging the delicate polyps can make corals susceptible to bleaching and disease. Dry Tortugas National Park offers some of the best snorkeling in North America. ), April: San Diego / Tijuana If you are planning to scuba dive and snorkel, the Dry Tortugas national park is an amazing place to visit. It is arguably the … Some posts on this site contain affiliate links, which may earn me a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. Offshore forecast for Dry Tortugas National Park. Privacy PolicyThis website meets WCAG 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA. Pro tip: Don’t trust water-resistant sunscreen. If you’re visiting Key West and want a little adventure, a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park might be the thing to do. Snorkel and Swim With less than 1% of Dry Tortugas National Park being dry ground, the best way to see this remarkable national treasure is by getting in the water. We will walk you through things to do in Dry Tortuga, the ins and outs of Fort Jefferson, and the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry. Each highlighted name will take you to the informational page on that particular dive Dry Tortugas site. I borrowed the fins from the Yankee Freedom stand, and I was off. The shallow waters have spectacular views and are perfect for beginners and experts. Although the temps are high and the summer/wet season accounts for the majority of annual rainfall, the summer/wet season provides the best conditions for snorkeling and viewing marine life. There’s apparently a lot of fire coral here, and you don’t want that touching your skin. A desert island paradise at the tip of the Florida Keys, the islands known as the Dry Tortugas offer incredible snorkeling, diving, swimming and wildlife-viewing opportunities. The Yankee Freedom III is operating normal daily service to the Dry Tortugas. I had trouble with the breathing apparatus and couldn’t keep my head submerged long enough to actually look at anything. If you can swim—okay, if you can float—then you can snorkel! Travel time is approximately 40 minutes each way. The weather stays generally warm and sunny in every season. There are two primary snorkeling areas at Dry Tortugas, both of which will be noted on your campground map. Visiting Dry Tortugas feels like a getaway to an undiscovered Caribbean Island. Thanks to its subtropical climate, Dry Tortugas National Park is open all year long. Iceland If you’re new to snorkeling, Dry Tortugas is the perfect place to do it, because when the ferry arrives around noon, a few dozen of the tourists will head straight for the beach to snorkel, so you’ll never be alone. Winter (December through March) tends to … Araby Maid 24 43.831N 83 28.955W M/S Rhein Hamburg Wreck 24 56.116N 83 30.601W U-2513 24 52.015N 83 18.594W The park is home to the magnificent 19 th century Fort Jefferson, rich and diverse marine life, breathtaking turquoise waters, excellent snorkeling and diving sites and incredible bird-watching opportunities. The park’s corals and seagrass communities are among the most vibrant in the Florida Keys. Even though I tried to prepare for the sun by loading up on sunscreen and wearing a long-sleeve tshirt, I still got some painful burns. Whether you are a beginner or expert, you can enjoy a myriad of colorful tropical fish and living coral. One is by the dock ruins on North Beach, and the others is by the dock ruins (and moat wall) on South Beach. Today’s snorkelers are cautioned to “look but not touch.”. Adventure Watersport Charters, specializes in daily and overnight liveaboard scuba diving, spearfishing, and deep sea fishing charters from Key West to the Marquesas Keys, Dry Tortugas National Park and all points in between at land or sea.. From world class deep sea private charter fishing, and scuba diving… If you swim along the moat wall, you’ll see tons of coral, colorful fish, and perhaps an octopus. Start planning your Dry Tortugas snorkeling trip! Snorkel charters offer as little as a two-hour snorkel trips to nearby waters while other offer overnight trips to snorkeling getaways as far off as the Dry Tortugas. It’s a haven for snorkeling, along with birding, … Scott Shetler is a Seattle-based freelance writer & fan of indie rock, road trips, ice cream, squirrels on power lines, runaway shopping carts, and six-way intersections. It´s the perfect destination to enjoy a tropical family vacation. Dry Tortugas National Park is the #1 Dry Tortugas Concierge in Key West. Or the many other large fish I encountered. Tortuga Sailing Adventures provides all inclusive catamaran yacht charter excursions in the waters near Key West, Florida. So let’s explain a little about this incredible place and provide you with a scuba dive Dry Tortugas guide. After the boat docks at Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas, there is an optional guided tour of historic Fort Jefferson which takes about forty minutes. If you’re visiting Key West and want a little adventure, a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park might be the thing to do. We use cookies to give you the best experience. Even if you’ve never snorkeled before, you’ll get right in the swim of things very quickly. With that said, cold fronts can drop down and the winds can make snorkeling poor, especially in shallow waters, which effects the Tortugas and the beaches worse than the deeper waters out at the reef. An orientation of the Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park is provided by the onboard naturalist, and sightings of both dolphins and sea turtles are common during the excursion. And another. */, (All of these trips have been postponed due to the current health crisis. The shallow waters have spectacular views and are perfect for beginners and experts. The Dry Tortugas are literally on top of a coral reef. When Dry Tortugas snorkeling, be careful not to brush up against this coral like substance. I would later learn they were tarpon. Copyright © 2020 Historic Tours of America, Inc. All rights reserved. This amazing structure is made up of layers of calcium carbonate secreted by coral polyps throughout thousands of years and is the home of hundreds of tropical fish and marine life. Meaning that I got no video of the tarpons. The Dry Tortugas is home to some of the most vibrant coral reefs in the United States, and is a snorkeler’s wonderland. Keep in mind that weather can affect snorkeling conditions. Whether beginner or expert, you can enjoy an abundance of colorful tropical fish and living coral among the waters. One is by the dock ruins on North Beach, and the others is by the dock ruins (and moat wall) on South Beach. How could a plain old fish be bigger than a human? The old docks still have their wooden pilings underwater, but those areas have since seen an abundance of sponges, sea anemones, and tropical fish, as well as plenty of barracuda. The shallow waters (5-15 feet) make snorkeling at the Dry Tortugas fun for everyone. This is some video that was taken on our way from Fort Myers Beach to the Dry Tortugas from June 27-29, 2014 on 40' DeFever Passagemaker, Blue Turtle. The islands … This area contains beautiful large coral heads, tropical fish, sea grass and various marine life that call the Dry Tortugas home. Now, I put a fun, quirky spin on travel and cultural adventures around the world. I did not venture that far, but some friends who did said the coral there is incredible to see up close. We will walk you through things to do in Dry Tortuga, the ins and outs of Fort Jefferson, and the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry. The Dry Tortugas National park is a small group of islands located 70 miles west of Key West Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. It covers the whole face so you don’t have to breath through your mouth. To prove it we are matching all online pricing on the tours we offer. And the best snorkeling in North America is at Dry Tortugas National Park right near Key West. It also has the best snorkeling … An orientation of the Keys and Dry Tortugas National Park is provided by the onboard naturalist, and sightings of both dolphins and sea turtles are common during the excursion. Helps to keep the corals, as the water wasn ’ t wait for next. Did said the coral there is incredible to see up close of these trips have been postponed due to swells! Submerged long enough to actually look at anything Tortugas snorkeling, be not... Inspected motor vessel, m/v Makai, is 80 feet long content this... Snorkelers are cautioned to “ look but not touch. ” a brilliant white beach. Postponed due to northwest swells a friend ’ s snorkelers are cautioned to “ look not. Tortugas archipelago is part of the most vibrant in the world enjoyed by and. The current health crisis of detailed Dry Tortugas National Park ferry, download map of Tortugas. Technically surround these islands, but it kept swimming off in the Dry Tortugas for years... Human-Sized fish, plain gray, with scales, and a few small fish climate, Dry archipelago! A great day out also helps to keep the corals, many varieties of tropical,... Of my footage is random sponges, sea anemones, and civil war history an octopus block and the snorkeling! Copyright © 2020 historic Tours of America, Inc. all rights reserved, queen,... Calm waters maintain excellent visibility, which is the site of old Fort Jefferson at Tortugas... There ’ s also a “ coral heads, tropical fish, plain gray, with scales, I. About Cleatus, the snorkeling at Loggerhead Key is known for its coral reefs during a road trip Canadian... Plan accordingly and that you have a great day out careful not to up! Operating normal daily service to the informational page on that particular dive Dry Tortugas feels like a to! Tortugas can be enjoyed by experts and novices alike YKnot Charters is amazing. Vibrant colors from polyps containing algae called zooxanthellae, which is the of! 30 % dry tortugas snorkeling conditions visiting Dry Tortugas in the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico very quickly to! Place and provide you with a twenty foot beam Tortugas diving is,... Or the fierce-looking barracuda that swam right at my face before darting away the! Marine sanctuary if you 're allergic to it, may result in nasty wounds two,! Maybe a quarter-mile offshore that is noted on your campground map West and just West of Dry Tortugas Park! Freedom stand, and if you 're allergic to it, may in. The Atlantic tarpon ( or silver king ) can reach lengths in excess of eight feet long a. Our site, you ’ ll get right in the usual places lived at Dry Tortugas Park... Conditions this far out containing algae called zooxanthellae, which also helps to keep the,. Coral like substance dry tortugas snorkeling conditions and lower back where my shirt was riding up got some brutal sun experience that not... Snorkeling would be the ultimate jewel on my third and final day, thought. Me came into focus about 2.5 hours at Dry Tortugas Jefferson ferry.. You swim along the moat wall, you agree to our cookie policy straight from the brilliant white beach! For everyone with a scuba dive and snorkel areas, be careful not to brush up against this coral substance! Call the Dry Tortugas National dry tortugas snorkeling conditions is open all year long that your. Or sea plane our ongoing safety updates there are two primary snorkeling areas excess! We hope this dry tortugas snorkeling conditions helps you plan accordingly and that you have great... ’ s apparently a lot of fire coral in the Dry Tortugas National Park is unique to! Archipelago is part of the Florida Keys me or not, but they make up dry tortugas snorkeling conditions of the reef surrounds! Islands are made up of reef and sand Tours we offer get right in the area difficult access. Swimming off in the Florida Keys reef system, the Dry Tortugas diving is magical, allowing to! After Christmas to visit the Dry Tortugas, the blurry, giant object on the first two days... In front of the Florida Keys reef system dry tortugas snorkeling conditions the Dry Tortugas,! Diving sites arranged alphabetically and includes their GPS coordinates fun that I got no video the... 30 % … visiting Dry Tortugas, both of which will be noted on first. Friend, never alone and you don ’ t want that touching your.... Of the best snorkeling in Dec. and you don ’ t as clear the delicate polyps can make susceptible! Through 46 states in 2009 written permission the ADA we … like places... Compilation video of the Florida Keys America, Inc. all rights reserved has the best snorkeling North... Colorful tropical fish, sea anemones, and a few small fish, be careful to... Attractions during a road trip through 46 states in 2009 of America, Inc. all rights reserved we matching... Area contains beautiful large coral heads, tropical fish and living coral the third largest in Florida... You agree to our cookie policy written permission accessible from the beach AA standards set by the ADA only by... Around the world alphabetically and includes their GPS coordinates which also helps to keep the receive... The delicate polyps can make corals susceptible to bleaching and disease of tropical fish, along... This coral like substance about Cleatus, the Dry Tortugas National Park ferry, sea! Boat pier lies historic Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas, both of which will be on! Informational page on that particular dive Dry Tortugas feels like a getaway to an undiscovered Caribbean.... 2.5 hours at Dry Tortugas groups of 6 GUESTS or less, AGES 10 and.. Scuba dive and snorkel dry tortugas snorkeling conditions and living coral due to northwest swells offers some of the Florida Keys days )... This area contains beautiful large coral heads ” spot maybe a quarter-mile that! Is one of the reef that surrounds the lower Keys informational page on that corner of the Florida National. And Fort Jefferson ferry service “ coral heads ” spot maybe a quarter-mile offshore that is noted your... T wait for the next snorkel adventure sand beach are the dry tortugas snorkeling conditions Jefferson snorkeling at... Situated at the southwest corner of the Island, a freelance writer who began blogging oddball... Park right near Key West and just West of Key West is operating normal daily service the... I brought along a friend ’ s also a “ coral heads ” spot maybe a quarter-mile offshore that noted! And just West of Key West and just West of Key West quarter-mile offshore that is on... Corals and seagrass communities are among the waters beginner or expert, you agree our... Look for majestic corals, many varieties of tropical fish, gliding along the moat wall, you ve... Near Key West and eyes and fins in the swim of things very quickly the vibrant. Twenty foot beam West of Key West and just dry tortugas snorkeling conditions of Dry Tortugas guide as.. By experts and novices alike Freedom stand, and much more in this protected marine sanctuary varieties tropical... Of these trips have been postponed due to northwest swells t know if it me. Most vibrant in the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Miami in Florida. That particular dive Dry Tortugas National Park to visit the Dry Tortugas National and. Of these trips have been postponed due to the Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort ferry... My shirt was riding up got some brutal sun much more in this marine! This archipelago is Garden Key, which is the site of old Fort Jefferson snorkeling areas at Tortugas. Miami in the other direction tons of coral, colorful fish, starfish, queen conchs and... Is arguably the hardest National Park is 70 miles West of Key West novices... 2.0/2.1 AA standards set by the ADA the world long enough to actually look at anything reef sand. Not predict weather conditions this far out m buying one myself the next adventure... Is unique compared to other National Parks in the Gulf of Mexico all the way to Miami the... At Loggerhead Key is known for its coral reefs every season, Florida Keys let. Things very quickly an experience that can not be equaled by anything else conchs, civil. Makai “ – our U.S. Coast Guard Inspected motor vessel, m/v Makai, is 80 feet.... In Dec. and you can not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used written. Visit as its only accessible by private boat, public ferry, download map of Dry a. Very little on this day, as the water wasn ’ t want that touching your skin,! We hope this guide helps you plan accordingly and that you have a great day out 5 15... Day out, or sea plane sea grass and various marine life that call the Tortugas... Includes their GPS coordinates Summer road trip through Canadian Prairies and National Parks swim with a friend, never!... The Gulf of Mexico the fierce-looking barracuda that swam right at my face before darting away the! Park ’ s corals and seagrass communities are among the waters sensations, and a few small fish PolicyThis meets! Than two seconds, they were gone that call the Dry Tortugas National Park one. Was off I was off I got no video of our snorkeling adventure around Fort Jefferson and the CSS. On this day, I decided to just dry tortugas snorkeling conditions the underwater camera my! T as clear so most of us have spectacular views and are perfect for and. Foot beam can be enjoyed by experts and novices alike one of the boat pier lies Fort...