Dry Tortugas National Park Guide: Getting There, Snorkeling & Exploring the Fort - Through My Lens
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Date: 2022-03-11
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Comments and reviews: 10
Walt
Well, I finally got to see what I didn't get to see 51 years ago! I was in the US Navy stationed (aboard ship) in Key West, Florida, my ship's home port, from June 1970 to July 1971. One cloudy, overcast day my ship steamed over to the fort at Dry Tortugas. However, once we got there the captain said it was just a little too rough (sea) for our liberty boats to be lowered and crew sightseers to go ashore. In our disappointment, all we could do is view the fort from our ship. I enjoyed your informative video. Now I've had a detailed look of Fort Jefferson -- even though it's 51 years late!
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Well, I finally got to see what I didn't get to see 51 years ago! I was in the US Navy stationed (aboard ship) in Key West, Florida, my ship's home port, from June 1970 to July 1971. One cloudy, overcast day my ship steamed over to the fort at Dry Tortugas. However, once we got there the captain said it was just a little too rough (sea) for our liberty boats to be lowered and crew sightseers to go ashore. In our disappointment, all we could do is view the fort from our ship. I enjoyed your informative video. Now I've had a detailed look of Fort Jefferson -- even though it's 51 years late!
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Teresa
The only problem is that it has gotten incredibly expensive for this trip. My husband and I went, some years ago and it was around $150 for both of us. I was in the Keys in December 2021 and thought about going, with my daughter and son in law. It was over $200 for one person which meant a day trip for the three of us would have been $600 plus parking. We didn't go. It is a gorgeous place but I'm so sad that Yankee Fleet has priced this excursion out of most peoples' reach. It's a National Park for God's sake.
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The only problem is that it has gotten incredibly expensive for this trip. My husband and I went, some years ago and it was around $150 for both of us. I was in the Keys in December 2021 and thought about going, with my daughter and son in law. It was over $200 for one person which meant a day trip for the three of us would have been $600 plus parking. We didn't go. It is a gorgeous place but I'm so sad that Yankee Fleet has priced this excursion out of most peoples' reach. It's a National Park for God's sake.
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crunchers9
Great to see you made it to one of the most difficult of our parks to access. I've been numerous times, on the original seaplane, the new DeHavillands, 2 smaller ferries and the new big one. Looks like you sailed on the ferry that usually goes between Key West and Marco Island. On the new ferry they show a movie on the way home. There are great coral heads off the beach you went to, but you need to go in the calm months. April and May are the best and not too hot.
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Great to see you made it to one of the most difficult of our parks to access. I've been numerous times, on the original seaplane, the new DeHavillands, 2 smaller ferries and the new big one. Looks like you sailed on the ferry that usually goes between Key West and Marco Island. On the new ferry they show a movie on the way home. There are great coral heads off the beach you went to, but you need to go in the calm months. April and May are the best and not too hot.
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al
Through my Lens, this was an OUTSTANDING video! You laid it out and showed all of the cool spots. My son and I went to Key West last year and unfortunately the heavy downpours followed us all the way to Key West. However, this summer we are going back to Key West and hopefully the weather will cooperate and get on that boat to Dry Tortugas National Park! We will be driving down from RI. Oh and btw. I followed your video in Alaska and it was EPIC!
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Through my Lens, this was an OUTSTANDING video! You laid it out and showed all of the cool spots. My son and I went to Key West last year and unfortunately the heavy downpours followed us all the way to Key West. However, this summer we are going back to Key West and hopefully the weather will cooperate and get on that boat to Dry Tortugas National Park! We will be driving down from RI. Oh and btw. I followed your video in Alaska and it was EPIC!
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Luana
We spend 3 nights in Dry tortugas a couple of years back when we lived in Florida. It was such a unique experience and camping there was awesome. Once the boat leaves the island at 3pm you basically have the entire island to yourself. We brought a kayak out with us and went to the other island that has the lighthouse. There is amazing snorkeling in the back side of that island. It was just a peaceful experience.
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We spend 3 nights in Dry tortugas a couple of years back when we lived in Florida. It was such a unique experience and camping there was awesome. Once the boat leaves the island at 3pm you basically have the entire island to yourself. We brought a kayak out with us and went to the other island that has the lighthouse. There is amazing snorkeling in the back side of that island. It was just a peaceful experience.
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ulical
As a Floridian, I've been to Fort Jefferson a couple of times as part of vacations to Key West. The thing that's always remained with me about this is A. The list to get assigned here as a Park Ranger is years long. and B. This is the only place where the National Park Service charges rent to the rangers that live on the park's grounds.
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As a Floridian, I've been to Fort Jefferson a couple of times as part of vacations to Key West. The thing that's always remained with me about this is A. The list to get assigned here as a Park Ranger is years long. and B. This is the only place where the National Park Service charges rent to the rangers that live on the park's grounds.
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SlipF18
Been to Garden Key many times via our sailboat. The cell you visit as a day tripper is NOT Dr. Mudds. Thats just for show and easy access. his actual cell is located directly above the portcullis. when you get to know the rangers and after the day trippers depart theyll take you up there and give you the real tour.
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Been to Garden Key many times via our sailboat. The cell you visit as a day tripper is NOT Dr. Mudds. Thats just for show and easy access. his actual cell is located directly above the portcullis. when you get to know the rangers and after the day trippers depart theyll take you up there and give you the real tour.
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Jay
You have to wonder why they'd build a moat around a fort that's sitting in the middle of the ocean? If it were the middle ages in Europe, it would make it tougher for your enemy's infantry to scale the walls. But this was the 1800's in the Gulf of Mexico and the only way to attack this place would be with a navy.
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You have to wonder why they'd build a moat around a fort that's sitting in the middle of the ocean? If it were the middle ages in Europe, it would make it tougher for your enemy's infantry to scale the walls. But this was the 1800's in the Gulf of Mexico and the only way to attack this place would be with a navy.
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StopNgoSteve
We just went on Saturday and we had an amazing time! You should have walked around Bush key as well. There were so many conch shells everywhere! Id suggest bringing cards or something to play on the trip over. You are right though, pictures do not do it justice! Thanks for the awesome video!
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We just went on Saturday and we had an amazing time! You should have walked around Bush key as well. There were so many conch shells everywhere! Id suggest bringing cards or something to play on the trip over. You are right though, pictures do not do it justice! Thanks for the awesome video!
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RV
You are so wrong and I dont want to call you an idiot but you are. Dr. Mudd was not part of the Lincoln assassination. He was a very noble physician who helped the assassin of Abraham Lincoln because he had been injured and hurt. He lived up to his obligation of the Hippocratic oath.
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You are so wrong and I dont want to call you an idiot but you are. Dr. Mudd was not part of the Lincoln assassination. He was a very noble physician who helped the assassin of Abraham Lincoln because he had been injured and hurt. He lived up to his obligation of the Hippocratic oath.
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