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. Also, dont expect to be checking your email here; this is as off-the-grid as it comes. A special permission (US Coast Guard Geodetic Survey Chart No. 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. Key West Florida 33040, Stock Island Marine Village, Overnight Diving Charters To Dry Tortugas, Overnight Fishing Charters To Dry Tortugas. The three-masted, iron-hulled sailing ship ran afoul on Loggerhead Reef in 1901. The water depth will vary depending on the tide but shouldn't exceed six to eight feet. Private vessels are required to check-in and file a boat permit on Garden Key before visiting Loggerhead Key. The fish population here is also impressive, with over a dozen species to catch, including blackfin tuna, grouper, wahoo, mahi-mahi and sailfish. This area is almost due north of Garden Key in about 55 feet of water. Snorkelinggear can be provided as well. Be sure you know what you are getting into before you take the plunge. Please leave the reefs in the same beautiful condition in which you found them. With our Dry Tortugas charters, your options are vast. Joining is quick and easy. There are many colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, starfish, and so much more. They will then dart off and run straight into a coral head or the moat wall. Reservations for private guided tours can be made in advance of your trip by Key West Charter Boat. All rights reserved. These are the waters and islands of Dry Tortugas National Park, one of Americas most remote national parks. Among those imprisoned here was dr Samuel Mudd, the physician who treated Abraham Lincolns assassin John Wilkes Booth as he fled south from Washington D.C. Fort Jefferson was never finished and eventually abandoned as a working fort. Its not uncommon for the fighting chair to be occupied for the lions share of the journey west. It is safe enough for kids who are comfortable in the water and exciting enough to stimulate the kid in the most jaded adult. Or book online now. Schools of brightly colored tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, starfish, and conch cohabitate in perfect harmony. This will only be effective if fuel is over $5.50 per gallon at our marina. The diving is far superior than anything else in the 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. And as we all know, where people dont go, animals come in droves. The park offers shallow, crystal clear waters that are ideal for novice divers. The windjammer wreck is possibly the most beautiful shipwreck in the U.S. and is only accessible from a private boat or Finz Tortugas trip. Guided kayak & paddleboard eco tours, family fishing, snorkeling, or lounge at a sandbar. Hotels and resorts are independently owned and operated. Private charter a cat and a trip to the Dry Tortugas becomes an ocean-going party. Consult the map to see how to locate those points since the ship is broken in half and you may become a bit confused without the guide. Key West Paradise | Sharks, live corals, lobsters, squid, octopus, reef fish, and grouper are common sights. Full or 1/2 days avail. If you want to scuba dive Dry Tortugas and experience a truly unique adventure, this place is a hidden gem. Please do not disturb any, of these sites as you could be harming some valuable environmental research. Designated a national park in 1935, the seven islands that make up the Dry Tortugas are a protected area for marine life and habitats. Juvenile barracuda, lobsters, corals heads, soft corals, and tropical fish are usually visible.

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. While many come for the docent-led tour or to enjoy Garden Keys beaches, we think theres one Fort Jefferson adventure that warrants special mention: snorkeling or diving the moat wall. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. Florida Keys Webcams. Gay Key West FL | For the underwater shutterbug, this is a great place to photograph corals. Be sure to ask about local conditions and the best Dry Tortugas dive sites. 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 Dry Tortugas National Park is carefully managed to ensure that resources are protected. With the exception of elkhorn and staghorn, almost every species of stony coral can be found here. If you want to scuba dive Dry Tortugas and have fun, just be sure to also be safe! All Dry Tortugas coral reef (living and dead) is protected from collection, so please do NOT disturb coral or shells. You can scuba dive with no certification, but it is dangerous to dive alone or if you are not prepared. More experienced divers can explore deeper waters and visit the Dry Tortugas shipwrecks. This charter typically lasts 10 hours and is an all day adventure. Built in 1875, the three-masted, iron-hulled, sailing ship wrecked on Loggerhead Reef in 1901 on its way to Montevideo with a cargo of lumber. Like many places in the Florida Keys, snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas can be enjoyed by experts and novices alike.

The wreck has the greatest relief from the bottom and the most marine life at the very bow and the very stern of the wreckage. There are just a few ways to get to the Dry Tortugas by sea, and only Key West Charter Boat can book you on them all: public ferry, private sailing catamarans, and high-speed ocean-going powerboats. If you have your own scuba gear, thats great. Due to fluctuating fuel costs, Finz reserves the right to charge a fuel surcharge on top of your base rate, based on the price of fuel on the day of your trip. Whether you choose to dive all day, or decide to spend some of the day learning about the history of Fort Jefferson, we're sure you will find this trip an unforgettable adventure. In order to protect Fort Jefferson from an amphibious assault, and to add protection from the rough waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a wall was built around the fort creating a moat in between the fort and the moat wall. This gives us time on the island without 200 tourists. If you dive outside of the designated area you must use an approved dive flag. 11438) is required in order to navigate to Dry Tortugas. I agree that the information in this form will be shared with representatives of the property and that the property may contact me about this RFP request.

Visitors to the site are advised to double check information such as dates, times, and prices. It also makes them a snorkelers paradise. Other questions regarding ferry travel can be answered through our live chat feature or by calling Key West Charter Boat. 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. Daytime diving is for the underwater vistas; night diving is a more intimate experience. Several days in April. The Dry Tortugas is also home to green and loggerhead turtles, who nest on the sandy beaches of the parks islands. Visit a historic eco-treasure aboard The Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry. You must log in or register to reply here. Whether you take our day trip or stay overnight youll find our Dry Tortugas charters are second to none. Enjoy snorkeling, bird watching, pristine beaches, and tours of Fort Jefferson. There are tons of local businesses that provide snorkel tours, dolphin tours, SCUBA diving trips, as well as SNUBA. Choose the #1 rated adventure company in & on the waters of Key West with the most 5-Star Reviews. In order to maintain natures fragile balance, snorkelers are not allowed to touch the living coral. The site is a veritable aquarium of reef-dwelling, free swimming, and benthic (bottom) life. Just make sure to stay fit, and we, at YKnot Charters, will wait for your next trip. Fahrenheit temperatures range from the low 50s to mid 80s, providing a comfortable year-round climate. Monroe County Tourism Site | Species like the frigate bird and sooty terns nest nowhere in the continental United States other than the Dry Tortugas. A scuba dive Dry Tortugas adventure awaits you, so start planning a trip to Dry Tortugas today! With less than 1% of Dry Tortugas National Park being dry ground, the best way to see this remarkable national treasure is by getting in the water. Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it? Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Before diving this site, be sure to pick up a laminated underwater map at the visitor center. And please remember to use reef-friendly sunscreen. Dry Tortugas National Park is situated at the southwest corner of the Florida Keys reef system, the third largest in the world. Copyright 2022 Opal Collection All Rights Reserved. Well check schedules, availability, and costs. Despite its comfy climate, there is a tropical storm season that lasts from June to November. You will quickly realize how magical this place actually is. Fort Jefferson, one of the nations largest nineteenth-century forts, sits on Garden Key. Finz Tortugas trip is the only day trip that will visit Loggerhead Key and its light house. There will be plenty of time for more world-class fishing on the ride back to Key West. Enjoy a custom private charter & explore the beautiful water. The combination of turquoise water, pure white sand, extraordinary wildlife, and no high-rise hotels is unique and special. Have questions?

Lunch is provided as well as snacks. The shallow waters (5 to 15 feet) are easily accessible straight from the beach. Situated 70 miles from Key West, it is secluded from most of the pressures of human development. Five stars all the way! 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. Another species to keep an eye out for include the white-tailed tropicbird. 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. These trips generally run from 3 to 5 days, with a wide variety of activities to choose from. See you on the dock! Small-Town Charm with a City Feel Described as Mayberry by day, Manhattan by night (but. With Finz you can explore more! Hot Summer Deals Save Up To $22. With advance reservations, you also have the opportunity to spend the night camping on the islands. #1 Rated Key West Day Trip. Because the mound protrudes from a much lower reef, it is a magnet for marine life. 1. Any Shore Diving Spots in the Lower Keys?? This national park is strictly pack in/pack out, so youll need to bring everything you need for your day. Lunch is provided as well as snacks. Setting foot on the soft, powdery beaches, Ponce de Leon claimed the islands in the name of Spain. Dry Tortugas Charters supply you with mask, snorkel, and fins, youll enter a beautiful underwater worlda unique ecosystem of aquatic plants and the marine creatures that depend on them. The most popular dive in the park is the wreck known as the Windjammer. With the wind as your engine, the big cats are a surprising combination of speed, space, and comfort. Your email address will not be published. Finz Dry Tortugas trip is the only day trip that will visit Loggerhead Key and its lighthouse.The windjammer wreck is possibly the most beautiful shipwreck in the U.S. and is only accessible from a private boat or Finz Tortugas trip. Dry Tortugas National Park prices are available by booking online. Charter Type Charter TypeDry Tortugas CharterDeep Sea Fishing CharterFlats Fishing CharterPrivate Custom CharterSailing CharterLarge Group CharterOvernight CharterSunset CharterBoat RentalCuba CharterJet Ski RentalSpearfishing CharterSnorkelingLuxury Yacht CharterScuba DivingGlass Bottom BoatLobstering CharterDolphin WatchingCorporate Boat PartyWedding CharterFilm Production CharterOther, Duration DurationHalf Day (4hrs)3/4 Day (6hrs)Full Day (8hrs)Multiple Day, Number Of Participants Number Of Participants123456More Than 6. A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. There are two ways to visit the park, so let us look at transportation to Dry Tortugas. Visitors can expect to see anything from reef squid, cement barrels, nurse sharks, anchor chains, and hogfish. And don't forget to bring a strong dive light. Islamorada | The best way to experience everything the park has to offer is to get in the water. I brought all 40 of my family to the Dry Tortugas via this amazing companies ferry. The answer didnt take long. The Valbanera is one of the more mysterious ship accidents as the passengers are still missing, perhaps diving in Key West you'll find the answer. However, if you want to dive, you must learn how to do it to avoid any injuries or accidents. But if you want to get there even faster, charter one of Key Wests high-speed private boats. Opal Collection is a marketing company. The diving is far superior than anything else in the keys. This charter typically lasts 10-12 hours and is an all day adventure.