The Dry Tortugas -a Paradise Remote but Easily Accessible from the Keys
Listed as “One of the Top 10 things to do in the Florida Keys” by Island Magazine, the Dry Tortugas National Park is a small 7-island chain about 70 miles west of Key West consisting of coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and possessing one of the biggest concentrations of shipwrecks in North America.
Only accessible by plane or boat, the Dry Tortugas were first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513. de Leon originally named the islands “Las Tortugas”, meaning turtles in Spanish, due to the large numbers of turtles inhabiting the islands. Later, it became known as the Dry Tortugas due to the lack of freshwater.
On the largest island, Garden Key, sits Fort Jefferson. Never actually completed, Fort Jefferson was initially constructed after the War of 1812 to protect the southern United States and guard shipping lanes leading to the Mississippi River. A lighthouse was added in 1825 to warn sailors of the shallow passages near the Tortugas.
Construction of Fort Jefferson dragged on for several decades and by 1862, modern weapons had made the fort obsolete. It served as a prisoner camp for the Union army during the Civil War. One of the most notable prisoners of Fort Jefferson was Dr. Samuel Mudd, who conspired and provided assistance to John Wilkes Booth after President Lincoln’s assassination in 1865.
By the 1880’s the cost of maintaining the fort far outstripped its usefulness. It was subsequently turned over to the Marine-Hospital Service and used as a quarantine station until 1900. Recognizing the rich historical value of Fort Jefferson, President Franklin Roosevelt designated it a National Monument in 1935. In 1992, Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas were upgraded to National Park status by President George H.W. Bush.
Aside from the rich history of the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson, the island chain also possesses pristine beaches, coral reefs, and blue-clear waters. Situated at the end of the Florida Straits, the Tortugas also provide a great environment for birding. Each year between March and September, some 100,000 sooty terns gather for their nesting season.
Day-trips are available to the Tortugas that include snorkeling gear, meals, showers, etc. The Yankee Freedom II ferries passengers on a state-of-the-art, high-speed catamaran vessel. Fishing charters are also available to ferry you to the many wrecks and reefs surrounding the Tortugas for unmatched diving and fishing excursions.
While staying at the Tropical Inn on Duval Street in Key West, a visit to Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas would make for an unforgettable day in one of the most remote, pristine sub-tropical areas in America.
Photos and diagram courtesy of The Yankee Fleet.
