"Ft. Jefferson Trip - Second Day - Jan 27, 2001" Top 5 Page for this destination Dry Tortugas National Park Travelogue by grandmaR

Dry Tortugas National Park Travel Guide: 75 reviews and 282 photos

Hospital foundations - Dry Tortugas National Park

Jan 27, 2001 - Saturday

Entrance Sign, moat and lighthouse

Jan 27 Sat - After breakfast, we dinghied in to the beach in the RIB and pulled it up on the beach. We started to explore.

Landing dock for ferry boats

There are salt water toilets on the pier which are closed 6:30 am to 7:30 am, presumeably for cleaning, and a water hose (which we used to wash the sand off our feet). The sign at the pier says that you can only tie up for 2 hours but there's no limit for dinghies. There were some kayaks on the beach too.

Inside of the fort from the ramparts

We went into the fort, and explored the little museum, and watched a video tape history of the fort, and talked to the lady at the little shop, which sells film, books, postcards and that kind of thing.

Anchorage from the top of the fort

Several sea planes came in and landed and went up on the beach north of the pier. Two large catamaran ferries brought groups of daytrippers down.

Armory from the fort wall

I asked about the ranger tour, and the lady in the shop said that he was on leave, and I should just join one of the day tripper tours. Cathy from GEMINI said that they'd listened in on them, and indicated which one was better. So we joined that tour, and it was very interesting. The guide told us that in April, the trees are filled with song birds resting on their way back to the states from Central America. There are so many that you can't see the leaves on the trees.

Then the tour group went to have lunch, and then there was time for them to wander around on their own or snorkel. They pay about $85 for the trip.

Out cannon port to Drawbridge

The shop lady also said that the dredged channel used to be wide and deep from the north end of Garden Key (where Ft. Jefferson is) all the way down the east side. But in 1998, the channel silted over in the middle and there is now a big sand bar across to Bush Key. Bird Key was closed early(normally it is Feb to Oct) because of the sooty terns nesting season.

Moat and anchorage from top of wall

We went back to the boat and ate lunch and relaxed. There is zero TV reception without a satellite, and the radio reception is iffy. No phone service either.

Next: Day 3

Page Updated Jan 24, 2004
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Comments (7)

windsorgirl Dec 17, 2004 at 8:56 AM Report Abuse

I would love to make the trip from Key West to the Dry Tortugas...unfortunately I am prone to seasickness, I think I'll have to skip breakfast!
mtncorg Feb 26, 2004 at 12:51 PM Report Abuse

Another place begging for a folding kayak! Great tips. The father of one of the boatmen on my Grand Canyon trip was a Ranger here. Maybe he was on vacation?:-\
b1bob Aug 28, 2003 at 8:10 AM Report Abuse

Nice job!
mrclay2000 Aug 16, 2003 at 11:01 AM Report Abuse

A park I missed on my Florida tour. Forts and tropical wildlife are always tops with me, though I could skip the beach without regret. . .
kaloz Feb 18, 2003 at 4:54 PM Report Abuse

Fort Jefferson, where Dr Mudd was sentenced. nice page.
margaretvn Feb 17, 2003 at 11:00 AM Report Abuse

great travelogue and lovely photos
WFTR Jan 4, 2003 at 7:37 PM Report Abuse

Awesome travelogue!!