Dry Tortugas National Park • Florida

A few of the stars at night with a view of Fort Jefferson.

Park visitors enjoy a sunset on the moat wall.

A view inside Fort Jefferson.

Two divers dive the Windjammer Wreck

A boat passes in front of Loggerhead Key during sunset.

A view of Fort Jefferson from the moat all.

An aerial view of the Dry Tortugas

Almost 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West lies the remote Dry Tortugas National Park. This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.

The Dry Tortugas is so remote that night sky viewing is possible.
NPS Photo / Brett Seymour

Sunsets at the Dry Tortugas are breathtaking. Visitors who choose to camp over night can view the sun set at Fort Jefferson.
NPS Photo / Maria Belen Farias

Garden Key is the second largest island in the Dry Tortugas, about 14 acres in size, and has had the most human impact. Located on Garden Key is historic Fort Jefferson, one of the nation’s largest 19th century forts and a central cultural feature of Dry
NPS Photo / Maria Belen Farias

The Dry Tortugas has over 300 sunken ships. One of the most accessible is the Winjammer Wreck which can be dove or snorkeled.
NPS Photo

The largest island in the Dry Tortugas, Loggerhead Key is a site of shipwrecks, a significant lighthouse installation, and where the historic Carnegie Laboratory for Marine Ecology once stood. Named for its abundance of loggerhead sea turtles, Loggerhead
NPS Photo / Maria Belen Farias

ort Jefferson is a massive but unfinished coastal fortress. It is the largest masonry structure in the Americas, and is composed of over 16 million bricks.
NPS Photo / Maria Belen Farias

The Dry Tortugas is made up of seven islands.
NPS Photo

A brick structure surrounded by water, a walkway, and vegetation.

Explore Fort Jefferson

Located on Garden Key, historic Fort Jefferson is the largest masonry fort in the western hemisphere.

People sitting on chairs beside tents on a beach

Plan your camping trip to Garden Key

Learn tips to plan a visit to Dry Tortugas like a Park Ranger

Plan Like a Park Ranger

Top 10 list to #PlanLikeaParkRanger for a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park.

A seaplane resting on sand and water

Key West Seaplane Charters

Morning, Afternoon or Full Day Tours to the park on a seaplane

Yankee Freedom sailing

The Yankee Freedom Ferry

Take a high-speed catamaran for day and camping trips.

Two divers swim by the underwater Windjammer Wreck.

Snorkeling and Diving

Dry Tortugas National Park is home to history and natural wonders above and below the water's’ surface.

A boat floating on the ocean, passing 2 sandy islands

Bring your own boat to Dry Tortugas National Park and get the most out of the opportunities to explore this remarkable national treasure.

two people swimming in the ocean next to a brick walkway

With less than 1% of Dry Tortugas National Park being dry ground, the best way to see this is by swimming.

Last updated: April 13, 2026

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

40001 SR-9336
Homestead, FL 33034

Phone:

305 242-7700

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