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Dry Tortugas National Park

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Photolomy

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Anyone cruise to Fort Jefferson? We will be doing the keys in the winter and I was wondering if it is possible to anchor near garden key (which I understand is 70 miles west of Key West) and dingy to the fort? Or is it better to leave our boat at Key West and take the ferry to the fort? Probably a lot cheaper.
 
Yes you can anchor out and dingy in. Only thing is the park officers will board your boat to check holding tank and valves. Have it Locked in the closed position or they will be annoyed. Also don't fish in sanctuary that also makes them twitchy;). It is beautiful and you must do this.
 
Thanks for the info! My heads are always directed to the holding tanks, and I don't fish.:)
 
We took the float plane over. Yes it was pricey but we beat the ferry and had the place to ourselves (and other passengers on the plane of course). Once the ferry unloaded the number of people there exploded and the enjoyment factor went down.
I had always intended to bring our boat over and had it plotted. But having been out there now I could not justify the trip on our own boat. I suppose if you cruise at a good pace you could round trip it in a day. In our case I was looking at a day out and a day back on the water. Then a day reviewing the fort etc. while on the hook. Figuring 3 bucks a gallon, and about 150 gallons, that does not justify the expense of the flight but heck, it covers at least half of a flight for a 1/2 day and that is all we needed to see the fort. Yes there are other stops to make with your own boat and that could justify bringing it.

https://keywestseaplanecharters.com/rates/
 
Good points. If we do it with our boat, we would plan to get there at dawn, spend some time and then leave on our way back home, either towards ft Myers and the waterway, or back the way we came up the east coast. But that requires several good ocean days. If we don't do our boat, then it will probably be the ferry. I would never be able to get my wife on a sea plane. I favor our boat, but I also know the probability of finding that much good weather.
 
If you are going to take the boat you might as well stay a few days. It's a lovely spot and, as Dan says, by anchoring you can enjoy the islands before and after the tourist ferry leaves. There are, however, two problems in winter--the days are shorter giving less time to enjoy the solitude, and the weather is highly variable. You have to be prepared to stay there if the winds come up. The park has no facilities for food or fuel, and no cell phone service.

Fanfare was in Key West this spring. My kids and grandkids all took the ferry in March and April. They reported that this was fine. The ferry provides snorkeling equipment, breakfast and lunch. You MUST make advance reservations as they are sold out during spring break well ahead of time. Even on this large fast ferry the passage can be rough. I believe they have fairly liberal cancellation policies if you decide the weather is unsuitable although getting another time slot may be harder.

We kept the boat at the Stock Island Marina Village in Key West which may be the best marina I have ever stayed at. Certainly the cleanest! Staff was always helpful. Three of the best restaurants are nearby. It is away from downtown bustle but the hotel has a free hourly shuttle to take you there or to the supermarket or the beach (20 minute ride). I have already reserved a slip for next year. See you there!
 
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Fanfare said:
If you are going to take the boat you might as well stay a few days. It's a lovely spot and, as Dan says, by anchoring you can enjoy the islands before and after the tourist ferry leaves. There are, however, two problems in winter--the days are shorter giving less time to enjoy the solitude, and the weather is highly variable. You have to be prepared to stay there if the winds come up. The park has no facilities for food or fuel, and no cell phone service.

Fanfare was in Key West this spring. My kids and grandkids all took the ferry in March and April. They reported that this was fine. The ferry provides snorkeling equipment, breakfast and lunch. You MUST make advance reservations as they are sold out during spring break well ahead of time. Even on this large fast ferry the passage can be rough. I believe they have fairly liberal cancellation policies if you decide the weather is unsuitable although getting another time slot may be harder.

We kept the boat at the Stock Island Marina Village in Key West which may be the best marina I have ever stayed at. Certainly the cleanest! Staff was always helpful. Three of the best restaurants are nearby. It is away from downtown bustle but the hotel has an free hourly shuttle to take you there or to the supermarket or the beach (20 minute ride). I have already reserved a slip for next year. See you there!
Click to expand...

Are two of the three best restaurants Roostica and Hogfish? If so what’s the third? The Cuban place nearby?
 
Probably the little place at the Perry Hotel.
 
Correct on all three!
 
So, we moved our trip out to March (spring break). We would be going from Melbourne to Stuart to Ft Myers (via waterway), to Dry Tortugas to Key West and then back up the east coast home. We would stay a couple days at Ft Myers and Key West and a day at Dry Tortugas. I was planning on arriving at Dry Tortugas in the morning (from Ft Myers) and staying a day, leaving for the keys the next morning, or even very early in the morning (at night). What is the weather like in March down there? What is the anchorage like? Is it somewhat protected? It also seemed that the wind/waves were less at night then in the day, as long as there wasn't any storms.
 
An alternate route is to not go to Ft Myers and go the east coast to Key West and then hop to Dry Tortugas. We have guests that might join us in Ft Myers, but we could have them drive to Key West and meet us for Dry Tortugas leg.
 
Anyone know if the National Park is affected by Covid restrictions?

I was thinking about making the trip again this spring. It's been 18 years.

On my last trip it was summer and several boats that had no business making the trip were there in various states of broken down. They were scavanging parts and help from everyone there and counting on the seaplane to bring stuff from West Marine in KW. Seeing their plight will remind you of the serious adventure you have undertaken. Maybe that's why I haven't been back in 18 years.

Bruce

Freestyle
1986 62 CPMY (54 MY with ext)
Tampa
 
Yes, it appears to be fully open. And I have seen recent YouTubes of people cruising/sailing there.
 
As I recall the anchorage in front of Ft. Jefferson is sheltered from seas but quite open to wind as the surrounding islands are very low. Rarely there are localized high winds that cause havoc for unprepared boaters. Over the years, due to too many "learning experiences," I have become sort of a belt, suspenders and duct tape guy. I would be sure to have at least a weeks worth of food, water and fuel on board to go there. I have enjoyed being there on board but also decided to fund two ferry trips from Key West to the fort for my kids and grandchildren, just for cost reasons.

I find travelling at night in the Keys, at least in the ICW, is impossible due to the thousands of crab/lobster pots and their tethered buoys. In most places they are literally 50 feet apart, even in the channel. They are difficult enough to avoid in the daytime. There is no fishing in Everglades Park or in the park waters around the Tortugas so no traps should be there, but they are everywhere else. Daytime only running.

We had planned to drive to Florida on Jan. 1 but I decided on a short hold due to the corona virus peaks there. Now aiming to have Fanfare at Stock Island Marina around 1/25 or so. A big question is whether non-Florida residents are able to receive vaccine there.

Say hello if you are in the area.
 
Problem with Dry Tortugas is that it is really a single island destination which is as far from FTL as the Exumas which have 120 miles of anchorages to offer. Is it worth it? I m not sure. Never made the trip

As to the Chinese flu vaccine, the question isn’t whether it will be available but whether people will want to get it. Of all
The people I know, None are willing to be a guinea pig for a rushed job shot...
 
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