Charter a Boat to Dry Tortugas

So where is Dry Tortugas anyway? And how did such a memorable national treasure get such a strange name? About 70 statute miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas is a group of tiny islands known for the abundant sea life, including sea turtles. The Spanish word for turtles is torgugas, explaining a portion of its unique name.

But what makes it dry, given that Dry Tortugas Park is surrounded by the waters of the crystal clear blue Caribbean? The name comes from when the Spanish settled the group of islands, and they soon figured out that no fresh water springs existed there. So the islands came eventually to be called the Dry Tortugas, or “dry turtles.” To this day, as a popular tourism destination, boaters must bring their own water to the islands.

First named a National Monument in 1935 by FDR, Dry Tortugas was designated a national park in 1992 at the end of George H. W. Bush’s term. As the site of the unfinished Fort Jefferson, a civil war era brick structure briefly used as a prison to house Lincoln’s accused assassination conspirators, the strip of sandy cays and corral reefs is now a destination for eighty thousand tourists each year. All leave in amazement at the intriguing history of the former based originally conceived as a defense against — you guessed it — the (real) pirates of the Caribbean.

Visitors can now enjoy all sorts of fascinating and recreational activities at Dry Tortugas park, from a historical tour of Fort Jefferson, to relaxation on the sandy beaches, to an absolutely memorable snorkel expedition to see the amazing sea life.

Of course, visitors can only arrive by chartered boat of sea plane. So if you want to book a trip, a Dry Tortugas charter will be necessary. There are some great discounts available on Dry Tortugas charters, Key West hotels, Key West snorkeling, and other recreation packages at Gold Card Key West.

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