Your Bucket List

Robin O’Neal Smith Freelance Travel Writer

If you suffer from seasickness, you should take something before you depart. They sell Dramamine at the ferry station. When seas are rough, they tell you in advance and recommend purchasing Dramamine when choppy seas are likely.

You have between five and six hours to explore the island. An important thing to note, there is no cell service on the island, so be prepared to unplug for the day and enjoy nature.

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the return trip are provided. You can purchase adult beverages on the return trip if you desire.

Things To Do At The Dry Tortugas

Activities include snorkeling, picnicking, birdwatching, camping, saltwater fishing, kayaking, and touring Fort Jefferson. When we visited, we toured Fort Jefferson first, went for a hike along the beach, and then went for a swim and snorkeled—the day passed quickly.

Lunch is included with your ticket on the ferry, or you can bring your own food.

Fort Jefferson

The ferry unloads in front of Fort Jefferson , and you cross a drawbridge for entrance. This coastal fortress is a site to behold. If you are interested in history, you will love visiting this fort.

Construction of this fort began in 1847 and was in the Union’s hands during the Civil War. It was later used as a prison. Then the Navy established a base, and it was used as a seaplane base during World War I. I enjoyed learning about this fort and photographing the arches and long corridors. We climbed to the top and took in the view.

The Beaches

The Dry Tortugas has gorgeous white pristine beaches. They are uncrowded, and you will usually see underwater wildlife and an abundance of shells. Just remember you are not to remove any natural objects from the park.

Snorkeling the Dry Tortugas

When taking the ferry to the Dry Tortugas, they provide you with snorkeling equipment. I enjoyed snorkeling around the fort.

South Beach, to the left of the ferry dock, has the smoothest water for snorkeling and is full of undersea life.

Can You Spend the Night at the Dry Tortugas?

Visiting the Dry Tortugas is a full-day trip, including the ferry ride to and from it is nine to ten hours long. You can spend the night, but you must plan in advance. There are no hotels. Overnight camping is limited to eight primitive campsites just south of

Fort Jefferson. When you camp there, you must take all your equipment with you, including a supply of water, food, etc.

I recommend going for the day and enjoying yourself. I don’t think it would be fun to camp there with the primitive sites. They have so few, and they must be reserved months in advance. If you are there and you get bad weather, you are stuck.

I loved visiting, but going for the day is the best option.

Don’t Forget To Take

Remember, anything you take, you will need to carry around the island with you. These items will come in handy.

Beach towel (Even if you don’t plan to swim, you will need it for sitting on the beach. Chairs are not provided.)

● Sunscreen or sunblock (this is essential)

● Refillable water bottle

● Sunglasses and hat

● Camera or phone (remember to put in airplane mode since there is no cell service.)

● Waterproof phone case

For many, visiting the Dry Tortugas is a bucket list or oncein-a-lifetime experience. But I can assure you it is beautiful and an experience worth your time.