Dry Tortugas National Park
National park · Monroe
Florida
"Head about 70 miles west to the remote beaches of Dry Tortugas National Park. The 100-square-mile park is reachable by boat or seaplane, and it's the least-visited national park in Florida, composed mostly of open seas and seven small islands. Garden Key is home to 19th century Fort Jefferson, its brick walls starkly contrasting the dazzling blue waters around it. You'll also find beautiful beaches on this island, and you can wade right into the water to snorkel above protected coral reefs. Basic campsites are available here on a first-come, first-serve basis, should you want to spend the night on the island." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"You’ve never been to a national park like Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles from the mainland and 99 percent underwater. Its isolated and hard-to-reach location (you can only get here by seaplane or boat) is part of the appeal, as are its incredible blue waters and historic fort." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Set 110 kilometers (70 miles) south of Key West is a group of seven uninhabited islands known as the Dry Tortugas, which makes for one of the area’s top day trips. It is one of 11 national parks in Florida . Once there you can explore the historic Fort Jefferson, an enormous military facility that was under construction for 30 years (1846–1875) but never completed. The isles are surrounded by coral reefs with great snorkeling in the crystal clear blue waters, and you can also see birdlife galore. Most visitors arrive by ferry, which takes about three hours each way and includes a four-hour stay on the islands, but you can also charter a seaplane for a hefty price."
"Dry Tortugas National Park off of Key West offers snorkeling and camping opportunities. It's a unique destination for those looking to explore marine life and enjoy a peaceful picnic by the sea."
"Dry Tortugas, a national park that exists primarily over open water, is home to incredible marine life and birds, and visitors can camp, dive, snorkel, and swim. This is one of the least-visited national parks in the country, meaning that everything you can see and do is pretty special—no dodging selfie sticks. Standouts, however, include Port Jefferson, built as a line of defense following the War of 1812, and the Windjammer wreck site, where experienced divers can get close to the wreckage of an early 20th-century iron-hulled ship." - Nancy DePalma , Laura Ratliff
