At the visitors center on Garden Key, grab a laminated underwater map of the dive site for a self-guided tour of the wreck. Space is limited and slots sell out 9-12 months in advance. We can visit Loggerhead Key and its lighthouse and have lunch on the beach, head out to Texas Rock for a scuba dive, or go back in time and explore a ship wreck from the early 1900s. There are many shipwrecks that beg for a dive tank and a few hours of your time. This is a terrific trip for underwater videos, underwater photography, sea-kayaking, bottom fishing or bird watching. Seaport 201 William St - Hurricane Hole, DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK AND FORT JEFFERSON FERRY. Small-Town Charm with a City Feel Described as Mayberry by day, Manhattan by night (but. Birding enthusiasts will definitely want to bring binoculars for spotting sooty terns, masked booby, and the magnificent frigate bird, to name a few. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. This charter typically lasts 10-12 hours and is an all day adventure. Setting foot on the soft, powdery beaches, Ponce de Leon claimed the islands in the name of Spain. Finz has one of the few permits to be able to legally dive inside the National Park, and will safely take you and your dive buddies to dive sites you could never forget. Snorkel the reefs off of Key West as well as Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas. Key West Charter Boat can make camping arrangements for you but you must plan ahead. Fish life is everywhere and there are species you will only find inside the park. Its real name was Avanti. Just mention Dry Tortugas National Park / Dry Tortugas ferry prices. With our Dry Tortugas charters, your options are vast. The Florida Keys travel guide offering information on things to do, accommodations and attractions in the Florida Keys. Little Africa off Loggerhead Key and Texas Rock to the north of Garden Key are prime snorkeling areas that can be accessed by chartered boat. With Finz you can explore more! The trip was comfortable and the food delicious. As you slide over the side of your boat, you may be immersed in a cloud of fish that are stacked up from the top of the reef almost to the surface. With the wind as your engine, the big cats are a surprising combination of speed, space, and comfort. For more adventuresome diving, go just beyond the boundary buoys in about 75 to 80 feet of water and follow this depth curve looking for changes in reef elevation. Fishing charters to the Dry Tortugas frequently combine the sport of angling with the luxury of yachting. Public transportation, both ferry and seaplane, constantly transport people from Key West to the national park. This area is almost due north of Garden Key in about 55 feet of water. Dry Tortugas National Park is situated at the southwest corner of the Florida Keys reef system, the third largest in the world. A day trip to the Dry Tortugass remote and pristine wilderness that teems with marine life offers all of the adventure of Caribbean islandhopping snorkeling, diving, even a formidable fort to explore minus the passport. All photos courtesy of HBO If youre a fan of HBOs Emmy and Golden Globe Award, Golf activities arent just reserved for trips with your buddies. There are no other boats running out there because we all had other things to do with our boats. There are two ways to visit the park, so let us look at transportation to Dry Tortugas. The fish are much more docile at night and can be approached much closer than during the day. Floridas best places to get your birding. Once you reach the Dry Tortugas, drop anchor and everyone jumps in. It consists of a huge mound of coral that emerges from the sand at about 55-60 feet of water and rises toward the surface to a depth of about 35 feet. Besides scuba dive Dry Tortugas, there are other fun activities you can enjoy in this tropical paradise. The structure serves as an artificial reef attracting a host of fish ranging from 200-pound jewfish to small tropical. Holding 30 people or more, catamarans are perfect for big private groups and corporate outings. The best place to enter the water is the beach on the west side of the fort. IMPORTANT: The ferry and seaplane are unable to carry compressed canisters aboard. However, not many individuals are aware of the health benefits of diving: Many professional divers do this as part of their daily routine so, yes, it is possible to dive daily. If youre lucky enough to see any of the remarkable marine life weve mentioned, it goes without saying: Savor the moment, but keep your distance. Log in or Register now! Key West Florida 33040, Stock Island Marine Village, Overnight Diving Charters To Dry Tortugas, Overnight Fishing Charters To Dry Tortugas. Have questions? Enjoy a custom private charter & explore the beautiful water. No visit to the Dry Tortugas would be complete without exploring, snorkeling or scuba diving Fort Jefferson. With advance reservations, you also have the opportunity to spend the night camping on the islands. Fortunately for the visitor today, the pilings these piers were built upon did survive and offer an excellent opportunity to see some of the parks larger marine animals. That includes food and plenty of water, sunscreen, clothing, towels, and any equipment you might need for activities in the park. . Could an Aggressor level boat{$2.5k} to the Dry Tortugas be profitable? Be sure to visit an information center and obtain a Dry Tortugas national park map. Private vessels are required to check-in and file a boat permit on Garden Key before visiting Loggerhead Key. Did I mention that Fort Jefferson was stunning. A trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park with Finz starts early at the shop. To scuba dive Dry Tortugas and/or do some snorkeling is a one-of-a-kind experience that should not be missed. I'm trying to get a sense of where the Dry Tortugas 'fit' compared to other destination options for the recreational diver. Outside the moat wall of Fort Jefferson an eerie sense of history meshes with the natural wonders of the underwater world. Marathon | Other things you are apt to see include lobsters, decorator crabs, arrowhead crabs, coral shrimp, and squid. Our expert staff is standing by 24hrs a day 7 days a week to answer all your Key West charter questions. Also, dont expect to be checking your email here; this is as off-the-grid as it comes. When diving these sites, please remember to leave all the artifacts where you find them. Charter Type Charter TypeDeep Sea Fishing CharterFlats Fishing CharterPrivate Custom CharterSailing CharterLarge Group CharterOvernight CharterSunset CharterBoat RentalDry Tortugas CharterCuba CharterJet Ski CharterSpear Fishing CharterSnorkelingScuba DivingGlass Bottom BoatDolphin WatchingCorporate Boat PartyWedding CharterOther. Required fields are marked *. The park is open all year round, tourist numbers reach their peak in April and May when the weather is at its best. Five stars all the way! Choose the #1 rated adventure company in & on the waters of Key West with the most 5-Star Reviews. At YKnot Charters, we aim to create enjoyable memories while you explore the marvels of marine life. Private charter a cat and a trip to the Dry Tortugas becomes an ocean-going party. Visitors from the world over journey here to explore the amazing ecosystem of coral reefs, mangrove islands, and calcified outcroppings. Snorkel or dive the area first in the daylight, so it won't be totally foreign to you when the lights are out. So what are some of the things to do at Dry Tortugas national park? #1 Rated Key West Day Trip. 11438) is required in order to navigate to Dry Tortugas. Situated 70 miles from Key West, it is secluded from most of the pressures of human development. All coral, reef fish, and cultural artifacts are protected. Find services that allow you to snorkel the only living coral reef in the continental United States! It is a perfect place for snorkelers and scuba buffs to dive together. It takes a full dive to swim around the mound. This area marks the eastern boundary of the park. It is possible for us to match you up with a dive shop or private group, If your unable to charter the whole boat for your own group, with advanced notice. The best visibility on the site is during flood tide. We recommend that you bring lots of fresh water and remember that it rains quite frequently during summer. Tourists from all over the world visit Dry Tortugas to enjoy a variety of experiences. Several days in April. A special permit is required by the department of the interior and available through the National Park Service. The national park is the ideal place to totally relax and unwind, the perfect destination really. So theyre well suited for the non-anglers in your party. The coral reefs arent the only underwater draw in the Dry Tortugas. The reef is rather isolated and is surrounded by sand. Looking For Something Florida Keys Related? Call now! A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. The fishermen among you will find the 70-mile trip an excellent trolling opportunity. And don't forget to bring a strong dive light. Outfitted with Snorkel or Dive equipment we depart on our 2 hour boat ride. Our Dry Tortugas National Park trip equally lends itself to both scuba diving and snorkeling. Shipwrecks and all historic artifacts are also protected by law. A navigational light tower marks the shoals themselves. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ranger-led tours are regularly available, however you may have to book ahead. Finz Dry Tortugas charters are always private and can accommodate up to 6 guests on our boats. When approaching the Dry Tortugas, the lighthouse can be spotted jutting into the sky like a giant pencil, providing a clear navigation point for captains to follow. Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. And as we all know, where people dont go, animals come in droves. Remember we are only visitors here and should respect those that make this place their home. Multiple boats to choose from, that come with or without a captain. It also makes them a snorkelers paradise. Once the most powerful lighthouse in the United States, Dry Tortugas light has been said to be a greater distance from the mainland than any other light in the world.. The combination of turquoise water, pure white sand, extraordinary wildlife, and no high-rise hotels is unique and special. In order to maintain natures fragile balance, snorkelers are not allowed to touch the living coral. The Dry Tortugas National Park is carefully managed to ensure that resources are protected. Daytime diving is for the underwater vistas; night diving is a more intimate experience. For the underwater shutterbug, this is a great place to photograph corals. MAILING ADDRESS:24863 Overseas hwy Unit 7, Summerland Key, Fl 33042, BOAT LOCATION:7013 Shrimp Rd. The Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most amazing places on earth. Spring and fall migration periods are an ideal time for birdwatchers, as the Dry Tortugas is the perfect layover spot for birds making the trip north or south. On the north side of the reef is a forest of deep water sea fans that will rival anything to be found in the Caribbean. Named for Greatness Best known for, From the best vintage shopping to dining with the top area chefs, we share the top reasons travelers flock to Delray Beach this winter. I'm headed to the Keys next month and the Tortugas has been a bucket list item for quite some time however recent searches don't find much to say about it other than what is written on websites by companies that profit from divers (and snorkelers) going there so I take that with a healthy dose of skepticism. You can also expect to see a variety of smaller fish and colorful coral living on and around these pilings. Gay Key West FL | Lunch is provided as well as snacks. That designation has ensured the islands remain the way Mother Nature intended. Call us or fill out a quote form for information on Dry Tortugas charters. The park offers shallow, crystal clear waters that are ideal for novice divers. Here the reef consists of scattered very shallow coral heads. There will be plenty of time for more world-class fishing on the ride back to Key West. Scuba diving is an enjoyable physical activity known for the adrenaline boost given to your system. If you dive outside of the designated area you must use an approved dive flag. It will be unlikely to find any diving center that will not give you training on the safety rules before allowing you to jump into the water. Learn more about the 30+ species of coral living at Dry Tortugas, Learn more about the fishes at Dry Tortugas, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Due to the remote location, and easterly flowing gulf current just south of the park, you are sure to discover a much greater abundance of marine life and often much larger versions than anywhere else in the Florida Keys. The best liveaboard to charter is the M/V Playmate with a professional crew with over15 years experience in diving the Dry Tortugas. What's keeping the Dry Tortugas out of the lime light? Joining is quick and easy. Boat rentals for fishing and/or diving can be chartered in the Florida Keys and Naples. Since the trip is private we customize the itinerary and sites to match your groups preferences. You will quickly realize how magical this place actually is. The best way to experience everything the park has to offer is to get in the water. Because the foundation of the Dry Tortugas islands and park is ancient coral reefs topped by a shallow basin stacked with another layer of living coral reefs, the area is positively teeming with marine animals just below the waters surface. If you are new to night diving, we offer two bits of advice. Lunch is provided as well as snacks and water. Florida Keys Webcams. Garden Key is the second largest island in the Dry Tortugas, about 14 acres in size, and has had the most human impact.