• Dry Tortugas

    Dry Tortugas

    National Park Florida

Nature & Science

Dry Tortugas National Park lies at the farthest end of the Florida Keys, closer to Cuba than to the American mainland. To reach this remote ocean wilderness one must travel by boat or plane over 68 nautical miles of open sea. The park is home to historical and natural wonders above and below the water's surface and has long been an inspiration to visitors.

The park's coral and sea grass communities are among the most vibrant in the Florida Keys. The Sooty Tern finds its only regular nesting site in the United States on Bush Key, adjacent to Fort Jefferson. Large sea turtles lumber onto the park's protected beaches each summer to bury their clutches of eggs. These and other wonders make this park a truly one-of-a-kind place.

 
 
Dry Tortugas RNA 5-year Report Cover

Research Natural Area 5-Year Report
This newly released report summarizes the implementation of the science plan developed five years ago to assess the efficacy of the Research Natural Area of Dry Tortugas National Park. The report is now available for download (PDF, 8.6 MB)

  • Science in the Park Science in the Park

    Click here to learn more about research efforts in the park Read More

  • Protect yourself, protect the reef! Protect yourself, protect the reef!

    As a visitor to the park and the reefs, you can reduce the risk of harming coral by taking a more “reef friendly” approach to sun protection. Read More

Did You Know?

Sooty Tern in Flight

Between the months of March and September, some 100,000 sooty terns will come to nest on the islands of the Dry Tortugas.  They are joined by brown noddies, roseate terns, double-crested cormorants and brown pelicans.