3. Dry Tortugas National Park

In 1513 Ponce de Leon discovered this small chain of seven islands 70 miles off the coast of Key West. He called the area the Tortugas in honor of the abundant turtles that provided food for his crew. There was no fresh water on the Tortugas – they were dry, and maps read "Dry Tortugas" to warn seafarers of this important fact. In the 1800s the US began building Fort Jefferson on the islands but it was never completed. In 1992 the name was officially changed to Dry Tortugas National Park. Today the islands are protected. The following companies provide ferry or seaplane service to the park: Sunny Days, 800-236-7937 or 305-292-6100, www.drytortugas.com; Yankee Freedom, 800-634-0939 or 305-294-7009, www.yankeefreedom.com; Seaplanes of Key West, 800-950-2359 or 305-294-0709, www.seaplanesofkeywest.com.   (© 10Best)

A two-and-a-half hour ride aboard a catamaran (or a short ride on a seaplane) will take you 70 miles west to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson. Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson sit at the end of the road in the continental US (except there isn't any road, so you'll need to catch a seaplane). Seaplanes and fast ferries zip passengers from Key West to the national park. (from Southern Living)

Hours:

Daily Sunrise-Sunset

Admission:

7-day park pass (17+) $5

Payment Methods:

Website: Visit the Dry Tortugas National Park website »

Type: Parks, Tours and Excursions

	"Alicia46696" more than a month ago
I enjoyed the tour and the snorkeling around the Island. The water was beautiful.
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