If time doesnt allow you will head back to Key West stopping one more time for your last anchorage at the Marquises, fishing, sailing, relaxing along the way. I wrote more about what to expect in this post. On this day you will get familiar with Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas National Park rules and regulations. Sailors have been visiting the Dry Tortugas for centuries, yet they are largely unaffected by mans passage. We could live with the inverter, but a replacement would be needed for the pump. Spectacularsunrises and sunsets, clear waters with tropical fish and birds, and this National Parkremind those out at sea why this quick trip to the most remote Key continues to bedelightful. Be sure you can make it to Key West with day light to spare. Plot your course past the Yellow "O" marker and leave the Red "2" (south and east of Garden Key) to starboard. In addition, Marathon offers great fishing and beautiful back water areas to explore on the yachts tender. A round trip bareboat charter from Key West to The Dry Tortugas National Park and Ft Jefferson is an unforgettable vacation experience. Depending on the weather, the anchorage can be extremelycrowded or nearly vacant. The 24 hour charter is pure tranquility and peace. Nothing is better than having your fresh catch on the grill or fry pan for dinner. You may also findNavtours in a search, but they are a DYC partner, so you can choose to book through either (as of July 2022, its not clear if DYC and Navtours are still running their Key West operation). Our company specializes in making your private yacht charter a forever memory. Please make sure to bundle your linens, remove trash (trash containers are located at the beginning of the dock), top off the fuel tank and pump out, if you haven'. Everyone speaks of the Florida Keys and its beaches and coral reefs, which are easy to access. Reservations may be required so call ahead. There are water sport rentals here and a gift shop. 50 mile journey over. You most likely will have your anchorage all to yourselves. Day 8: Key West. There are many different reefs to choose from. Similar to Bahia Honda State Park, Long Key Bight offers amazing water clarity and contrasts in the ocean. Some other reasons: Being a guys trip and all, we took the fishing seriously!! Bright blue, crystal clear water under you with visibility of tropical fish swimming around you in Garden Key. Spend another day relaxing and enjoying the Dry Tortugas. You can exit the anchorage at Garden Key either the same way you came in or go out through the channel which is southwest of Garden Key. In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the Islands, as he did much of Florida. If you enjoyed reading this story, We can add a 5th and 6th passenger if you call our office. With ideal conditions, this will take just over half a day. The Windjammer is over 150 years old and is the only ship wreck that protrudes out of the water. They are coral islands designated as a National Park and maintained by the National Park Service. The best resource for that info is Garmin ActiveCaptain. If you do fish, be aware of the thefishing regulationsfor theDry Tortugas National Park certain areas are restricted and you should stow your gear before arriving. , on Garden Key or staying aboard your boat. Please note: After your purchase is confirmed you will receive a complete tour itinerary with check-in time, location and what to bring. Hang out on the yachts spacious deck watching the stars light up the sky light and sea life light up the ocean beneath you. 2022 Boatsetter, Inc. All rights reserved. Thanks for reading my post about a Key West bareboat charter to the Dry Tortugas and making it all the way to the end! The dinghy makes a great vessel for exploring remote areas and encountering dolphins if you see them on your anchorage. So join us and take in the sights in a private, So Many Reasons To Teach Your Child To Fish This Summer, Luxurious Boat Voyages in Los Angeles, CA, Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants on the Water. If you make an early start and are making excellent time, you may be able to make it back to Key West.
Just a short distance north east of Marathon is Duck Key were you will find one of the finest resorts in all the Florida Keys, called Hawks Cay Luxury Resort. Enjoy an evening at the Fort as you have it all to yourself, walk to moat or relax on the yacht with breath taking views. On the other hand, a powerboat rental traveling at 35 mph from Key West will have you there in about two hours, and you will need about the same amount of time for the return trip. Experience everything that you can in a half day with double the time to take in more activities. Day 4 - During3 night trips, this is the day we make the sail back to Key West. Touring the moat, snorkeling around the fort, and climbing to the top of thefort to get a close-up view of the lighthouse are obligatory expeditions once you enter thisterritory. You can rent a bareboat, or a captained boat, for a few hours or a few days. Learn about the millions of bricks needed to build this military base. The newest keepers structure was built in the 1920s and remains today. You will find crystal clear water and breathtaking coral reefs. Take in the famous Little Palm Island Resort for adults only. This information is NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION. We chose thePerry Hotel, a welcome respite from the heat at neighboringStock IslandMarina. If you stopped in the Marquesas yesterday, continue on to Key West today. Day charters aboard catamarans are available for reef snorkeling and sunset cruises. End your night on top of the beautiful wall that surrounds Ft Jefferson taking in a magical sunset over Loggerhead Key and Lighthouse. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Required fields are marked *. Part of one of the former lighthouse keepers homes is still standing after it burned. The Florida Keys is a natural destination for sun worshippers, divers, snorkelers, boaters, and anglers. Ask your charter company and they can help pair you with a skipper for theFlorida Keys. We were jealous of their fresh catches! Your email address will not be published. Unfortunately, the very next day we had to begin the return trip toKey Westsince we lost a day with the boat issues. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. On our way back to the marina, we enjoyed some more fishing andsnorkelingat Western Dry Rocks. In fact, our prices are up to 56% Cheaper*, Best On Key West is the #1 Tour and Activity Concierge in Key West. Swim and snorkel through the remains of this historic wonder. Here you will find limited marinas when chartering a wide catamaran with a beam over a 20. While on Garden Key, you can take time to see Fort Jefferson and learn a bit about the islands history. Such is the reality of acatamaranchartertrip with firm travel dates. Little Palm Island offers some of the most amazing views of the ocean with breathtaking aqua blue water clarity. Make sure to visit Indian Key on the way to Islamorada or take a quick sail over from your anchorage in Islamorada. Eastward, another ten miles is Boca Grande, which, like the Marquesas, is inside the Key West National Wildlife refuge. Sailing from Key West to Dry Tortugas: What to Expect? Most of all, the Marquises is pure tranquility, rarely do you see another boat on this anchorage. You can also look into apowercatamaranoption if you have some boat know-how. Stop and moor along the way on some of the most beautiful coral reefs. Most people will head back to Key West from here. The beautiful beaches and diving spots draw visitors worldwide to aquamarine waters, beautiful sunsets, and the laid-back atmosphere. You should be able to leave Key West around sunrise and be back in time before the sunsets. This is one of the reasons theFlorida KeysorKey Westrequires moresailing experienceand isnt considered a beginner cruising ground. The Dry Tortugas and Ft Jefferson is located 70 miles west of Key West. The closest group of keys, 45 miles to the east, is the Marquesas, which are also unoccupied and offer excellent snorkeling locations. How long is a boat ride to the Dry Tortugas? Yes, they can, and it is the best way to experience the Dry Tortugas. After checking the long-range weather models routinely onTropical Tidbits, it looked like we had a clear weather window so we went for it. Pull into the fuel dock at Oceanside Marina, fuel up and pump out before docking. Charter customers find that it is nearly impossible to take in all these activities in a half day yacht charter. On this charter we recommend you take in a snorkel on the beautiful Looe Key Reef located close to Little Palm Island. We jammed some sailing tunes and got underway. Carefully follow the day markers out through the channel. About 17 nm north east of Duck Key is Islamorada not far from Long Key Bight. Found a better price online ? OK, could be worse (I usually try and book the newestcatamaranpossible to avoid maintenance issues). All of our yacht charters check in after 3 PM and check out prior to 11 AM. , you can rent a boat large enough to ply the waters of the Florida Straits and Gulf of Mexico and keep it for a day, two, or a few. When the pump didnt arrive on time, we decided to salvage the day and sailed down to thecoral reefin Western Sambos for a swim andsnorkel. This is a useful guide to help plan your trip to the Dry Tortugas or elsewhere in the Florida Keys.
We thought it was coming closer at times, but thankfully it stayed away. Our goal for today is to reach the Marquesas Keys, which will also be where our first night is spent. For time limited guests, we have a3 night trip with a day of sailing back to Key West on day 4. Approaching the southern tip of the Marquesas Keys, the best anchorage is west of the islands if the prevailing southeast winds are blowing. You will need at least five hours to make the trip there and back, in the light of day, which will give you three to four hours to explore the Dry Tortugas. You can anchor anywhere around the island depending on the wind. Day 7: Key West
On your second night find a protected anchorage in New Found Harbor. Visual bottom navigation is crucial for thisjourney! Heading tothe Tortugas is a great day trip, but night time trips are not recommended as there arelobster pots. The site was renamed the Dry Tortugas National Park in 1992. After swinging by the fuel dock in the afternoon at theStock IslandYacht Club and Marina, we decided to debark and find a hotel. If you stay on your boat, you must anchor a nautical mile from the Fort Jefferson harbor light. Take the dinghy into the park and spend the day there kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, or relaxing. Exuma Fishing Tips: How to Catch More Fish in the Bahamas, Mostly anchoring, limited moorings available, Trickier navigation with shallow areas and hazards to avoid (such as lobster buoys! The Marquises, also known as Quick Sands, a beautiful uninhabited island chain centrally located half way between Key West and The Dry Tortugas. We spent another night at Boca Grande with a mesmerizing sunset, one of the most magical Ive seen. Side note: I hadnt been on aboat typequite like the Nautitech 40 it has two helm stations at deck level. Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys can be found at: Latitude 2436.78 and Longitude 8123 .63. If you enjoyed it, please subscribe or check out some of my other articles, like this one about sailing to St Croix and visiting the Spanish Virgin Islands. For more information please read our cancellation policy and terms and conditions page or call our staff with any questions regarding your ability to participate. If time allows, there are many other beautiful keys and islands in the Dry Tortugas. Your boat is due back today at 10 a.m. Please make sure to bundle your linens, remove trash (trash containers are located at the beginning of the dock), top off the fuel tank and pump out, if you haven'. Keep in mind you will pay a transient slip fee at the marinas. Crewed chartersare available. Aside from navigational info, there is good discussion about activities to enjoy in each area. Take a private boat to the Dry Tortugas for the trip of a lifetime, Private boat owners in Key West rent their boats to people who want a boat to, . Check thestate parkand fishing regulations, but fishing and lobstering was permitted at this location during our visit. Just call our Activity concierge and ask for our price matching special. The office also posts daily weather reports for theboatingcommunity. You can rent a bareboat, or a captained boat, for a few hours or a few days. For those who prefer to stay on board and not get wet in the ocean, touring Key West oceanside is a must. Here you must pay an entrance fee and acquire any necessary permits for your visit. The anchorage at Loggerhead is east of the island just off the light in the center. Enjoy the clear and bright blue waters that the Gulf of Mexico provides. Plan on making a stop again at the Marquesas on the way back especially during the winter time when there are limited day light hours. The barrier reefs of Key West have been compared to the quality of that of the Bahamas. Unfortunately, I came up empty handed on the spiny lobster this time. Snorkel, fish, or relax on top of this endless aquarium. Pull into the fuel dock at Oceanside Marina, fuel up and pump out before docking. If youre fortunate to spend another night at the Dry Tortugas, you will check out on the eighth day. Be sure not to leave your dinghy on the beach where the daily sea planes take off and land. Anchor next to some of the most beautiful private, uninhabited islands in the world with complete privacy. A lighthouse keeper, who would turn the light on at dusk and off at dawn, occupied Loggerhead Key until that time. Head to Islamorada for a north east wind. It had been awhile since I had seen a few friends from growing up in California. Youre also free to bring along your choice of adult beverages. We arrived at the Garden Key anchorage and found that we had the it all to ourselves (one boat later arrived)! Many overnight anchorages are surrounded by crystal clear bright blue water and beautiful wildlife. It was a decent haul, but we didnt do as well as expected. Furthermore it is a magical island that you can swim from its beaches and even snorkel the famous Windjammer Wreck. This is a minimum of five nights round trip with six nights or more recommended. However, the islands are actually in international waters, as the Continental United States ends at South Beach, Key West. ), Dodging the lobster trap buoys was very frustrating heres my advice: charter a boat with good visibility from the helm station and go farther south on your route to the park (time and weather permitting), I asked the operator of the Yankee Freedom (high speed catamaran that takes tourists to the park daily) if there was a better route to avoid the buoys they confirmed there is no better route than the one we took, Less predictable weather shiftier trade winds, hurricane season, and cold fronts in the winter, 3 barracuda (one of which was the biggest Ive ever caughtand I seem to catch a lot of them). Motor carefully through the channel between Garden and Bush Keys and your anchorage is just south and east of Garden Key. Check out the Umamiburger or Mahi Tacos and pair with a cold beer from the attached Hanks Saloon. Your boat is due back today at 10 a.m. Yacht Charter Services in Key West, Florida. This PrivateYacht to Dry Tortugas provides the opportunity for you to spend 3to 5 nights under the stars and to experience a truly unique visit to the most popular of Key West destinations! Take the tender to and from the dinghy beach to check in with a park ranger, get latest updates and weather reports. Your course will take you through West channel staying south of Man Key, Woman Key, and Boca Grande. Whether you come for a few hours or a few days, you need to experience the peaceful beauty of the Dry Tortugas at least once. We werent able to go too far offshore because of the ground we had to cover, so we had to settle for fish caught in the shallower depths. It is three miles west of Garden Key and is open for day use only. Today, Fort Jefferson, located on Garden Key, can be explored, along with Loggerhead Key and the adjacent Islands. Stop in and see the museum and gift store. Here you can visit and observe a wide array of marine wildlife including Dolphins. Head back to Key West or continue your yacht charter north easterly. Im sure he makes the anchorage his home he hung around under the boat during our entire visit. After stowing away our provisions and gear, we moved thecatamaranover to the pool dock where we could better take advantage of the prevailing breeze (no shore power AC either since the boat was 220v). Distance: 20 miles. You will have plenty of white sandy beaches to walk, explore, and swim here. Excellent. Before dark, head back over to Garden Key to anchor for the evening. Dolphins also enjoy this anchorage as well as you and your boat. Bush Key is protected bird Sanctuary and during nesting season it is interesting to dinghy slowly around the island Observing the bird life ashore and all the sea life in the shallow water. Take in the beautiful landscapes of Key West. As you depart the marina you will be turning to starboard. To prove it we are matching all online pricing on the tours we offer. The area was proclaimed a National Park in 1935 as the Fort Jefferson National Monument, after the fort on Garden Key. We may be compensated if visitors choose to click on some of the links located throughout the content on this site. Key Largo offers many retail, restaurants, and night life similar to that of Marathon. Discover shipwrecks hundreds of years old as you sail along. The 5night excursion allows for even more time to explore other islands during the sail back to Key West and breaks up the long distances that are covered. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are medically qualified and within any limits listed below in order to participate in this activity. The Dry Tortugas is a collection of reefs, shoals, andislands founded by conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon, including Loggerhead Key, BushKey, Garden Key, Middle Key, Hospital Key, Long Key, and East Key. The crowds from the daily Yankee Freedom ferry were also gone so the fort was empty. Boot Key Harbor in Marathon offers plenty of anchorages and marinas. An electric lamp was installed in 1931, but it did not become automated until 1988. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Bareboat Charter Key West | Sailing Trip Adventure to the Dry Tortugas, Sailing to Dry Tortugas - our catamaran finally gets underway. There is no chance to forget anything as you will go out on the same yacht for the ocean excursion as you stay on at the marina. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. They also have a small store a short distance walk from the main building. We were careful to avoid the fate ofErnest Hemingwaywho was marooned at Fort Jefferson for 17 days when a tropical storm moved through! We received a call from DYC the next morning with a new plan they just had a Nautitech 40 check back in that was available during out trip. Day 1 - 9am or earlier is ideal for this departure. Wake up and draw your anchor and embark for the Dry Tortugas. , where the Loggerhead Lighthouse warns mariners of the shallow shores. Here you can find anchorage but make sure to go in and out on high tide. Next time we return, well make sure we have more time for adventuring and exploration in the park, including Loggerhead Key. This famous Key holds the only lighthouse in the Dry Tortugas National Park. Dolphin and other wildlife shows happen here seven days a week. On this day, learn about this historic landmark and the influences it has had in the past. The Lighthouse was built in 1858 and suffered hurricane damage in 1873 that required replacing the top nine feet of the structure. There are no stores or marinas along the way, so take your time provisioning appropriately. We spent the night at anchor outside ofStock Islandto soak in as much breeze as possible. Garbos, made famous by the Diners Drive in and Dives, was a welcome respite from the heat. There is so much to see and do on a yacht charter. It is common to have dolphin encounters as well as sea turtle sightings. Depart the Marquesas in the morning and continue your westerly course, staying south of the Quicksands, Halfmoon and Rebecca Shoals. It had everything we were looking for in a short guys trip: close to home, excellent fishing prospects, long days on the water, pre-Civil War era fort exploration, and a bit of nightlife on Duval St inKey West. While on anchor at Duck Key, take a taxi to Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key. Head back to Key West the following day to spend your last night at the marina or continue up the Florida Keys. So, plan on eight to ten hours to Garden Key and back, which will give you time to look around while you are there. This is a great place to explore and go snorkeling but it does NOT make a good overnight anchorage. Awake, with nothing but wildlife under and around you. We trolled with two rods one with the ballyhoo towards the surface, and the second with a diving artificial lure (Rapala X-rap Magnum for example). 2022 YACHT WARRIORS.
DISCLAIMER: Yacht Warriors provides this information for planning, information, and entertainment purposes. Prices were high, but its much cheaper than youd pay on a bareboat trip in theCaribbean. After an inspection, cleaning, and swapping out of our gear, we were ready to get west towards the Dry Tortugas at last! Take in everything of a full day excursion but stay out on the ocean even longer. This charter takes about ten hours, one way by sail and eight hours in a motor yacht. Here are the totals for the trip. There is so much to see and do on this yacht charter. A special visit over to Loggerhead Key is also possible and we are one of the few that are licensed to visit, even Ferry and Seaplane guests are limited to Garden Key and the fort. There will be plenty of time for fishing, snorkeling, and enjoying beaches before dinner, watching the stars come out, and then spending night one under the stars there.Day 2 - Garden Key is todays destination, we start out bright and early on this leg of the sail. We will price match it. Hang out on the yachts spacious deck watching the stars light up the sky light and sea life light up the ocean beneath you. I was also hoping to see some of the goliath groupers during the day, but they only showed up after dark. Our most popular bareboat charter is to the Dry Tortugas, however there are so many places to go in Key West; the possibilities are endless. Islamorada offers services similar to that of Marathon with more of a small town feel without franchises. We arrived early on Wednesday and had a few hours to kill before boarding at 5pm. The Florida Keys are the only place you can cruise within the continental United Stateswith Caribbean-like climate and conditions- and around this area, the farthest pointof all the keys is the Dry Tortugas, best accessed from Key West at a distance of 70nautical miles/80 land miles. Theres also a quick sightseeing sail around the harbor before heading in to the dock. Blue Ocean Yacht Charters in Key West will set you off in a sail boat or power boat tailored to your expectations. After the challenge of dodging lobster trap buoys throughout the trip, lets just say I wont charter a boat like this in the future (unless of course its my only option). Found a better price online? Our flights didnt leave until the next evening, so it allowed us a refuge to hang out for the next 24 hours. Track your position carefully as there is a strong north/south current running through the area. If you stay on your boat, you must anchor a nautical mile from the Fort Jefferson harbor light. This made the perfect backdrop for a showing of Master and Commander, which we enjoyed with our projector after sunset cocktails. The commercial ferry trip from Key West takes two to three hours, and you will share the boat with many other people and be on the same itinerary. The Dry Tortugas is about seventy miles west of Key West at the farthest end of the Florida Keys. Just a short distance north east of Little Palm Island is the most beautiful state park of all of Florida called Bahia Honda State Park. The high-speed ferry Yankee Freedom also leaves Key West daily at 8:00am to bring you to the Dry Tortugas. The days are delightfully warm in Key West and the Florida Keys. Here you will find some of the most pristine waters in the United States. The dinghy makes a great vessel for exploring the island chain and encountering dolphins. Most charter customers take in a sunset sail or motor cruise back to the marina to close out their day. We enjoyed the pool, showers, and restaurant available to charterers at theStock IslandYacht Club and Marina. Day 3: Fort Jefferson
One of the most popular attractions here is to interact and swim with the Dolphins. You can also find anchorages southwest and west of Garden Key. East of the fort, on the sandy Bush and Long Keys, is a bird sanctuary closedto visitors during the terns nesting season, February through September. You should be able to get in early if you want to have some time to explore Key West.