Is the Dry Tortugas National Park worth visiting?

The Dry Tortugas Fort Jefferson National Park is definitely a bucket list experience, but is it worth the money and a 3-hour boat ride? Everything I’m going to say is based on my experience and opinions.

First, you can get to Dry Tortugas by seaplane, ferry, or private boat. Although I have yet to take the seaplane, it seems like a beautiful experience. Everyone gets a window seat and a headset narrated by your own personal pilot/ tour guide. Unfortunately, this lovely bird’ s-eye view does come at a price, with a half-day excursion for an adult being $466 and for children 12 and under $372.80. An adult costs $819 for a full-day excursion, and children under 12 $ 655.20. Any children under 2 are free. If you have taken the seaplane, let me know if the price was worth it! It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but for me personally, I’ll stick to the Dry Tortugas Yankee Freedom Ferry.

My two best friends and I went on the Yankee Freedom, and here’s how that went for $220 each. We parked at the Key West City Parking Garage and walked across the street to the Yankee Freedom Building at 7 am. We showed our ID to the lovely receptionist, who gave us a small ID with a number.
Unfortunately, my friends and I showed up a tad late and were some of the last people there. In this vast waiting area, it looked almost like an airport. We waited a few minutes before someone started explaining what would happen. They gave us historical facts, what we must do if injured, when activities will be, etc. He also explained that you should sign your name on a form when heading to the boat if you are using any snorkel gear, which they will punch a hole in your wristband so you can show the people there. Next, the beginning numbers were called to board the boat, meaning we were one of the last people to board the boat. So, to pick a seat first, try to be early.
However, my friends and I got very lucky as people were still looking around the boat, and we got three seats in a fully AC cabin. They gave us breakfast, which you had to grab, and were small cups of OJ or some coffee. We grabbed some plain bagels with cream cheese, but they offered different bagels.
Now, the ride there is about 2 hours and 15 minutes, although you will lose ALL service on your phone rather quickly, and the ride will feel a lot longer, so bring a book or something for entertainment. Or take a nap on your best friend’s shoulder, which is what I did, which left me with a cramp in my neck, but it was worth some sleep.
When you get there, they will explain where you get your gear and when lunch will be. You will be on the dock as they slowly start letting everyone off, and you can grab your snorkel gear or do some exploring first. We went exploring first, and it was worth it.
There is an option to take a tour, but we wanted to explore independently and at our own pace. We went in the middle of August, and yes, it was HOT! But there is enough shade in the actual Fort. You can walk the whole bottom, middle, and roof levels! There is no guardrail, so walk at your own risk, but it does make for a beautiful view. You learn all sorts of facts throughout the Fort, and there are many Instagram-worthy picture spots.
There was also an adorable gift shop and mini-museum with some artifacts. Walking all around the Fort took us an hour and a half. At this point, it was around 12, and it was lunchtime on the boat. We decided that it was time for a break because we were hot from exploring. We went to the ship once more to a fully air-conditioned cabin. Oh my goodness, it felt so amazing. There was plenty of seating as lunch was between 11 and 1, so everyone could eat at their own pace. We had Jimmy Johns’s subs with a choice of Turkey, Roast Beef, or Ham. I got the turkey, and my friends got the roast beef and ham with some chips. You could choose water, soda, or some fruity drinks. While eating, they also had some veggies you could grab and some cookies. If you have any allergies or need substitutions, they will accommodate you. The meal was filling, and we felt completely refreshed and ready to take on the water!
We walked back to the dock and showed our wristbands, which gave us access to snorkeling gear. They ensured our flippers fit right and gave us our masks and snorkel. You can choose a beach on the island’s left or right side, and we choose the left. We found a nice shaded spot to put all our bags and snorkeled near the Fort’s wall. There are some lovely beaches where I live in South Florida, but I was genuinely amazed when I saw how clear the water was.

We spent the rest of the time in the water from that point on. We saw fantastic sea life, including a HUGE lobster close to my foot. There was a variety of coral around and many sea urchins, but they were mainly tucked in little breaks in the wall.
But remember, you are still in the sun; I recommend applying every chance you get, even while walking the Fort because it can get very hot. We snorkeled for the rest of the time before walking back at 2:30. We got distracted by the water and the crazy amount of hermit crabs in the mangroves.
If you don’t like Hermit Crabs, keep your bags closed; there will be a minimum of 50 in one little spot. Unfortunately, being some of the last people to board the boat, we didn’t get into the air-conditioned cabin. We had to sit on the back deck with no tarp or anything to cover ourselves. I can confidently say this was the worst part of the trip. I spent an hour resting my elbows on my knees while my hands held my face and a towel draped over me. Afterward, I was getting stiff, but the bar was open, and you could order drinks, which was refreshing.
They had a WONDERFUL person working on the boat named Hollywood. He was enthusiastic and passionate about his job and ensured everyone was still having a good time. They did a drawing for a free trip, and we got to complete a survey. After the first hour, with the sun just blaring on our backs, we stood on the side of the boat. At least the wind cooled us off, and the waves occasionally splashed us. Once you are about 30 minutes from Key West, your phone will get service again, and you will arrive at roughly 5:30.
So, spending $220 each to the Dry Tortugas Fort Jefferson National Park by taking the ferry was worth it, and I would do it again.
It was a fantastic experience. Just be SURE to get to the boat early so you can get an air-conditioned seat. But everyone working there was super sweet and super helpful. It is an all-day adventure, so just be sure not to plan anything right after because you WILL be tired and ready to shower and nap. But besides that, if you were thinking of going with your friends or family or even by yourself, it was a wonderful time, and the next time I know I’ll be in the keys, I plan to go again! While you’re there, get the national park sticker they offer in the gift shop!

Here are some more photos of our time on the island!