Boating

Bring Your Boat to Dry Tortugas

Bringing your own boat to Dry Tortugas National Park will provide you with the most opportunities to explore this remarkable national treasure. Situated approximately 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, with no food, water, or fuel available in the park, proper planning is a must.

Dry Tortugas National Park is filled with cultural artifacts that tell a rich and fascinating story of human exploration. Situated at the westernmost edge of the third largest coral reef system in the world, you are sure to discover some of the most pristine living coral and marine life found anywhere in the Florida Keys.

 

Entrance Fees

• Dry Tortugas is cashless.
• Purchase your pass in advance through Recreation.gov or using a mobile device.
• Payment must be completed within one hour of arrival.
• Entrance fees apply to time spent on land or water within the park.
• Entrance fees apply to individuals ages 16 or older.

For more information on Entrance Fees

Locations

• Garden Key and Loggerhead Key - Open to the public.
• Bush Key - Seasonal closures apply.
• East, Middle, Hospital and Long Keys - Closed year-round.
• Special Protection Zones - Closed to visitors.

View the park map

Weather

• Be prepared for changing conditions.
• Tropical storms can develop in the Gulf of America at any time of year.
• Generally, summer brings calmer, wetter weather, while winter brings stronger winds and drier conditions.

View current weather conditions

Tides

• Tides can significantly affect the shallow waters around Dry Tortugas.

View tide charts

Provisions

• No food, water or fuel is available in the park.
• Plan for your entire trip, including travel to and from the park.
• Fresh-caught seafood may supplement your food supply but should not be your primary source of food.
• Bring at least one additional day of food and water in case you are delayed by weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Plan for two gallons of water per person per day.
• Ensure your boat’s safety equipment is up to date.
• Planning to camp? Visit the camping page.
• This list is not exhaustive. Plan accordingly.

For more information about provisions: Superintendent's Compendium — Food and Drink

Trash

• Dry Tortugas has no public trash or recycling facilities. Pack it in, pack it out.

For more information: Superintendent's Compendium — Sanitation

Navigation

• Reaching Dry Tortugas requires crossing open water with no land in sight.
• Use NOAA nautical charts 11438 and 11434 to safely navigate to and from the park.

View navigation charts

Anchoring, Landing, and Mooring Buoys

Anchoring

• Overnight anchoring is permitted only in sandy-bottom areas within 1 nautical mile of the Garden Key lighthouse, except within closed areas such as Special Protection Zones, marked channels, and the Garden Key Harbor Channel.
• Anchoring is prohibited throughout the Research Natural Area.
• Garden Key Harbor: Vessels must anchor south or southeast of the line extending from southwest channel red marker No. 12 to the westernmost “Off Limits” narrow white cylindrical buoy off Bush Key to keep the channel clear.
• Bird Key Harbor: Anchoring is prohibited within 100 feet of the hazard buoy near N 24°37.34’ x W 082°52.94’.
• Anchored vessels may not be left unattended for more than four hours.

Landing

All powered or unpowered vessels must remain a minimum of 100' from all shore (defined by the mean high tide line) within the park.

Landing is permitted at:

• The developed area of Garden Key Harbor - including the dinghy beach, finger piers, and main dock (separate regulations apply).
• The designated dinghy beach on Loggerhead Key, located just south of the dock, which is for authorized government use only.

Mooring Buoys

• Within the Research Natural Area, mooring buoys are available for daytime use only, for a maximum of two hours.

View the park map

Superintendent's Compendium — Public Use Limits

Superintendent's Compendium — Mooring Buoys

Mooring Buoys page

Prohibited Activities

Bright Exterior Lights

• Bright exterior lights, including deck lights.
• Vessel lighting as required by USCG regulation such as anchor lights are excluded from this park specific regulation.

Underwater Lights

• Including the use of any underwater vessel lights.
• Personal handheld lights for night diving/snorkeling are permitted.

Spearfishing and Lobster Collection

• Spears must be dismantled and stowed.
• If you speared fish or collected lobsters outside the park, you must report your catch to the park on Channel 16 before entering park waters.

Firearms

• Firearms inside all government buildings.

View the Superintendent's Compendium

Docking

Garden Key

• The eastern half of the dock is reserved for the concession ferry from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Priority use is given to emergency and government vessels and vessels under contract. If the dock is not being used for priority purposes or for the concession ferry, commercial and recreational vessels may use it.
• Maximum cumulative use is two hours per vessel per day.
• Docking is prohibited from sunset to sunrise.
• Finger piers: Maximum cumulative use is two hours per vessel per day.

Loggerhead Key

• Loggerhead dock is closed to private vessels.

Beaches

Garden Key

Dinghy Beach: No time limit.

Seaplane Beach: Closed to all vessels from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

North and South Beaches: Watercraft and vessels are prohibited from entering designated swimming areas.

Loggerhead Key

Landing or beaching vessels is permitted only at the designated dingy beach.

Swimming

Garden Key Harbor

• Swimming is prohibited. Use the designated swimming areas.

 

Recommendations and Suggestions

Garden Key

Garden Key is the second largest island of the Dry Tortugas, and home to historic Fort Jefferson.

Loggerhead Key

The largest of the 7 islands in Dry Tortugas National Park is Loggerhead Key, and should not be missed.

Camping at the Dry Tortugas

Camping at Garden Key is an incredible experience. Amazing star gazing, snorkeling, sunsets and more!

Fishing

Enjoy fishing for sport or food and be sure to bring your saltwater fishing license and follow Gulf fishing regulations.

Snorkeling and Diving

Dry Tortugas National Park is home to history and natural wonders above and below the water's’ surface.

Wildlife Viewing

From birds, to sea turtles and coral reefs, the park is paradise for wildlife viewing.

 

Helpful Boating Tips

Weather