As travel trends come and go, the appeal of natural parks remains constant. This national park is 99% submerged underwater, is 70 miles away from civilization, and is accessible only by seaplane or boat. It’s truly a next-level adventure. Enter Dry Tortugas National Park.
About Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National park is one of only three national parks in Florida. It’s one of the most isolated in the whole national Park System of the United States. It’s well-known for its awe-inspiringly blue seas, 200-year history, pristine ecology, and remote tropical location. Do you want to find out how to get there and what to know before the trip? Keep on reading.
A National Park That’s 99% Underwater?
Seven small islands make up this national park. However, the majority of the 100-square-mile park is underwater. It’s mesmerizingly blue and crystal-clear water worthy of your wildest tropical adventures. It’s also perfect for sightseeing and swimming, which are, in fact, the two primary attractions of Dry Tortugas. Beyond the breathtaking water, this park’s beauty lies in its distinct natural features like coral reefs, sandy shoals, lots of birds, and sea life. These wonders are one of the main reasons why the park exists. It’s the perfect outdoor laboratory for studying how and why natural systems change over time.
How to Get There?
You can visit Dry Tortugas National park by seaplane, private boat, ferry, or charter boat. Both the Florida Keys and Naples offer fishing and scuba diving charters bound for the Dry Tortugas. To reach the underwater national park, seaplane travel is likely the most scenic and memorable option.
Things to Do at the Park
Plan to camp on the island if you want more than a few hours to explore the Dry Tortugas National Park. Most visitors, however, choose to spend only one day, filling their time with numerous activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, ranger-guided tours, and wildlife spotting, not to mention tours of historic Fort Jefferson. Also, you can go fishing, geocaching, and paddling. You need to bring your kayak or paddleboard.
When Is the Best Time to Visit
Because the underwater national park has a subtropical climate, Dry Tortugas is open throughout the year. The weather remains generally warm and sunny. Winter is typically windier, creating the potential for rough seas. However, the climate is milder and drier. In contrast, summers are warm and humid. June through November is the Atlantic hurricane season, so storms are possible. Still, you can enjoy a picture-perfect day in Dry Tortugas National park any month of the year.