Dry Tortugas Ferry

Category: Dry Tortugas / Fort Jefferson National Park Tags: Dry Tortugas, Ferry, Fort Jefferson, Guided Tours, Key West Boat Tours

Overview Rules & Regulations Cancellation Policy FAQ'S Details

Overview

Dry Tortugas / Fort Jefferson Ferry an Extraordinary Journey

Due to limited availability on The Dry Tortugas Ferry , reservation request must be made by filling out a “check availability” form. In addition, we ask you to review this trip’s cancellation policy prior to booking — it has recently changed and YOU are responsible for reading this information.

Discover the wonders of Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida’s magnificent underwater paradise, with the convenient and scenic Dry Tortugas ferry service to the fort. Located just 70 miles from Key West, this 100 square mile marine sanctuary is a nature lover’s dream. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of its sparkling blue and green waters, home to a thriving coral reef ecosystem and abundant marine life.

What to Expect

luxurious cruise to the Dry Tortugas!
air-conditioned main deck, spacious upper sundeck (with both shaded and exposed areas).
comfortable seating, 150 passenger max
3 restrooms, and a full galley stocked with snacks and beverages, wine, and beer.

Dry Tortugas National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, serving as a vital habitat for various species. You’ll have the opportunity to observe fascinating bird species, such as the sooty and noddy terns, which nest exclusively on Bush and Long Key. Additionally, the park offers a sanctuary for endangered and threatened sea turtles, including loggerhead and green sea turtles.

What’s Included?

As you embark on this unforgettable journey, the Yankee Freedom ferry provides an exceptional experience. Enjoy a fully narrated 45-minute tour of Fort Jefferson, an impressive historic landmark situated within the park. Indulge in a delicious breakfast and lunch (campers, arrival day only), and take advantage of complimentary snorkeling equipment to explore the vibrant underwater world.

Your ticket includes entrance to Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson, guaranteeing an awe-inspiring adventure. Join us on this incredible boat ride, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, including the captivating Marquesa Islands and Boca Grande. Enhance your exploration of Florida’s hidden gem, Dry Tortugas, and create cherished memories along the way. Book your Dry Tortugas ferry trip today and embark on an extraordinary journey into nature’s splendor. Don’t forget your National Park Pass for added convenience! You might also like: Dry Tortugas Seaplane https://tourskeywest.com/product/dry-tortugas-seaplane-half-day

What to Bring

To make the most of your trip, we recommend bringing some essentials. Ensure your comfort with comfortable footwear, a hat, sunglasses, and a bathing suit. Don’t forget your towels, a change of dry clothes, sunscreen, and a camera to capture the memories. And if you’d like to unwind during the voyage, bring along a light jacket or sweatshirt and something to read.

Rules & Regulations

Dos and Don’ts

The Dry Tortugas are a remote destination and many factors may interfere with access to and from the islands. Make sure your travel plans and lodging arrangements are flexible before and after your camping reservation dates. You may NOT bring compressed gas canisters, flammable accelerants or firearms of any type onboard the vessel. Security will inspect all camping gear before it is loaded onboard the ferry, please do not bring any of the aforementioned items with you. The Dry Tortugas National Park is pack in pack out, everything taken into the park must be taken back out by visitors.

Other Information Operating Times:

Campers must arrive at the Yankee Freedom III terminal by 6:00 am to load gear. Day Trip check-in is at 7:00 am. The Yankee Freedom III Ferry boards at 7:30 am, departs at 8:00 am sharp and returns to the terminal at 5:30 pm.

Check-In/Vessel Location:

The Key West Ferry Terminal, 100 Grinnell Street, is located at the Historic Seaport. The nearest intersection is Grinnell and Caroline Street. We are paperless so there is no need to print your tickets. We will ask for the last name and ID of the lead traveler at check-in on the morning of your trip to issue boarding passes for all passengers on the entire reservation. However, we strongly recommend that you know the Booking Number found on your emailed booking confirmation.

Parking:

The nearest parking is located at the Key West City parking garage, 300 Grinnell Street, at the corner of Carline St. and Grinnell St. (day rate of $40, shaded, payment by credit card only). Over height and/or over length vehicles and RVs are prohibited by law from parking in the City of Key West’s streets and parking lots. Please make alternate arrangements well before your trip. Yankee Freedom III is NOT responsible for securing parking arrangements.

National Park Pass:

If you have a National Park Pass, veteran’s ID or Every Kid Outdoors Pass, you may select the “w/ National Park Pass” ticket option for up to four (4) adult/senior/student members of your party. If you select more than four (4) tickets per pass, you will be charged the Park Entrance Fee of $15 for each nonqualifying member at check-in. You MUST show the physical National Park Pass at check-in or you will be charged the entrance fee. Electronic copies, pictures, etc. will not be accepted. NO Park Pass refunds can be issued after check-in.

Personal Possessions:

Please remember to gather all your personal belongings before disembarking at the end of the day. Although we endeavor to collect and store any items left aboard for your retrieval, we are not responsible for ensuring their return.

Cancellation Policy

Reservation & Cancellation Policies

Thank you for making your reservation to Dry Tortugas National Park aboard the Yankee Freedom III high-speed ferry. We look forward to serving you and your group on an unforgettable adventure to one of America’s most remote national parks!

Please understand that we do have policies and rules listed below that will ensure a safe and enjoyable trip for you and the other guests aboard the Yankee Freedom III. Your understanding and cooperation with these policies are appreciated.

Yankee Freedom III travelers are responsible for reading and complying with this information:

Terms and Conditions

Request for full refunds must be received at least 60 days prior to the original departure date (Rescheduled reservations are non-refundable). Requests can be made by calling the reservation hotline at 305-294-7009. All sales are final 60 days prior to travel date. You are expected to be checked in and onboard the vessel by 7:30 am on the date of your reserved trip. TICKETS ARE NONREFUNDABLE for late arrivals or no-shows. Reservations will be held until 15 minutes before departure (7:45 am) and then released for standby use.

Stand by Ticketing

To be considered for Standby statis, all potential passengers must be present at the ferry terminal on the day of the trip. Standby order will be determined the morning of the desired trip on a first come bases determined by your order in the standby queue at the Ferry Terminal. There is no pre-trip standby list.

Day Trip

Day Trip reservations are for the same day round trip only. If you do not return on the same day as your outbound leg, you will be charged additionally for the one-way fare to return ($99). You may not split outbound and inbound legs of a Day Trip reservation among multiple parties.

We reserve the right to deny boarding to anyone whose apparent condition may present a danger to themselves or others while onboard the vessel. We do not guarantee specific weather, sea, wildlife, or visibility conditions on any trip. Prices, policies and restrictions are subject to change.

Rescheduling-Trip Cancellation

Reservation changes must be made no later than 5:00 pm EST TWO (2) DAYS prior to the ticketed travel date. After this date rescheduling is not permitted. To reschedule Day Trip reservations, you must phone the Yankee Freedom ticket office (305-294-7009) by 5:00 pm EST. TWO (2) DAYS before your scheduled departure. To reschedule Camping reservations, you must phone the Yankee Freedom ticket office (305-294-7009) by 5:00 pm EST. SEVEN (7) DAYS before your scheduled departure. Rescheduling will be accommodated ONLY if space is available for the requested dates. If you do not reschedule by these deadlines and do not take your reserved trip, your fare will be forfeited WITHOUT REFUND.

Weather and Force Majeure

Yankee Freedom is contractually obligated to the National Park Service to operate daily in all weather unless sea conditions may compromise safety. Rain, lightning or other weather conditions ashore are often localized and do not indicate conditions at sea or in the Dry Tortugas. NO REFUNDS will be issued for weather conditions unless the trip is cancelled by Yankee Freedom.

If we cancel your trip due to inclement weather, equipment breakdown, civil order, or other force majeure event, we offer guests a choice of a refund or rescheduling to a future date. THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OR OTHER SIMILAR PANDEMIC OR EPIDEMIC SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A FORCE MAJEURE EVENT.

If you are susceptible to motion sickness, we recommend taking Dramamine or other motion sickness remedies prior to departure. Dramamine or the equivalent will be available for sale onboard the vessel.

Camping

Campers are responsible for reading and acknowledging the Yankee Freedom Camping Rules while completing their ticket purchase. Complying with these rules is nonnegotiable. Failure to follow these rules could result in termination of the camping reservation on the day of travel.

FAQ'S

FAQ’S

Is there free parking?

No, there is a Key West City parking garage across the corner from the Ferry Terminal, at the corner of Caroline St. and Grinnell St. (low day rate, shaded, payment by credit card only)

What time does the ferry depart daily?

Operating Times: Daily. Day trip check-in at 7:00am. Dry Tortugas / Fort Jefferson Ferry boards at 7:30am, departs at 8am, returns at 5:30 pm.

Does the ferry operate on Christmas day?

No, we are closed Christmas Day.

Where does the ferry depart from?

Check In/Vessel Location: The Key West FerryTerminal, 100 Grinnell Street, at the Historic Seaport. The nearest intersection is Grinnell & Caroline Street

What can I bring?

Personal Possessions: Please remember to gather all of your personal belongings before disembarking at the end of the day. Although we endeavor to collect and store any items left aboard for your retrieval, we are not responsible for ensuring their return. You may NOT bring compressed gas canisters, flammable accelerants, nor firearms of any type on board the vessel.

Is there a park entry fee?

Yes, there is a $15 entrance fee to Dry Tortugas National Park. The park also operates a small gift shop selling books, postcards, T-shirts, and other souvenir items. Please bring cash…the park does not accept credit cards.The National Park Entrance Fee is included in your total charges when you book your reservation and can be refunded if you present an Annual National Park Pass or Golden Age Pass at check-in the morning of your trip.

How long is thew ride over to the Dry Tortugas National Park?

Approximately, a 2-hours depending on the seas and conditions. When you take the Dry Tortugas Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park, getting there is half the fun! During the two-hour ferry ride, you can see historic shipwrecks, marine life such as wild dolphins and sea turtles, and miles of crystal blue ocean. What makes the Dry Tortugas so compelling? Their natural beauty and isolation. This remote coral atoll is located 70 miles from Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, making it a dream EcoTour destination.

Details

Check-In Day Trip: 7:00 am, Boarding Begins 7:30 am
Departure Time: 8:00 am, Returns 5:30 pm
110′ Luxury Catamaran
Requires Each passengers name for US Coast Guard manifest
Full Payment is Due at Time of Booking

What’s Included

A ferry ride to Dry Tortugas National Park
An optional guided tour of historic Fort Jefferson
Complimentary breakfast and picnic lunch
Sanitized snorkeling gear
Plenty of free time for swimming, snorkeling, bird spotting, photography, and exploring the island .

What To Bring

Valid Photo ID Required
Sunscreen and Bathing suit
Camera
Sunglasses, hat and towel
Sturdy pair of walking shoes
You may bring your own snorkeling gear if you wish.
Change of clothing. During your journey back to Key West, you can use our onboard fresh water rinse showers.

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