Boat crew was awesome ensuring a good trip. Plenty to eat and drink throughout the day. Food was fresh bagels and Jersey Mikes but other food could be purchased on the ride home. The visit to the park goes by fast but it’s well worth it. A good mix of history and scenery.

We took the boat tour from 100 Grinnel St, Key West on Wednesday, December 7th. The cost was $200/person, but I got a $10 senior discount (age 62) and another $30 discount because I had a senior lifetime national park pass, thus the total was $360, but it was worth it. We avoided the $40 parking fee at 300 Grinnel St. because we just walked there from the hotel. I recommend booking this tour in advance as we did because the tour was fully booked. The boat ride was about 2 1/2 hours each way and is about 70 miles. On the way, they gave us a breakfast bagel. We arrived just before 10:30 and had an excellent tour given to us that started at 11am that lasted about 1 1/2 hours. The tour guide was great and answered all our questions and described the history of Fort Jefferson and Tortugas as our group walked throughout sections of the fort. After that, they served lunch on the boat which consisted of a sandwich, snack and a non alcohol drink. Afterwards, we walked throughout the fort, the moat surrounding it, the beach and finally the small gift shop and museum inside the fort. We had to leave by 2:30pm, so we didn't have enough time to go swimming or snorkeling, but some passengers did. They even supply the snorkeling equipment and have an area to change. We arrived back at Key West around 5pm. Overall, it was a great time. If you go, consider taking Dramamine in advance for motion sickness, especially if the waves are a little rough. Also, bring sunscreen as there is no shade except underneath the fort walls, Bring water as well to stay hydrated.

We took the Ferry thinking it would be nice to sit and enjoy the ride over (2.5 hours), but it is just too crowded and the seas were rough that day. There is a float plane option which is shorter, but not sure that would have been any better. The park was really nice and enjoyed walking around it. The weather was unseasonably cold and water temps were in the 60's so we didn't get to snorkel (which is included in the Ferry's ticket) not the plane. The breakfast was a plain cold bagel which I think is mainly to get something in your stomach for sea sickness. The lunch was good also included. The staff were AMAZING and super helpful. There was a bar with other food and snacks you could buy and VERY reasonably priced. There is a garage you can park in for the day for $40.

We went to Dry Tortugas and enjoyed the experience. The guide who gave the tour is named Hollywood (I think). He has an amazing amount of knowledge and it made the experience even better. We walked around on our own also and I went snorkeling. There aren't too many fish until you get near the abandoned peers or the wall. The crew does a great job of making everyone feel welcome. Overall it was worth the 2 1/2 trip each way.

Sea Plane to Dry Tortugas was the way to go! We took the day trip. We spent the morning hiking the fort and the grounds. This is a very interesting place. If you like history and nature it’s a must

We had a beautiful day for our visit. The Yankee Freedom Ferry staff were excellent. It's a long day - the ferry ride is about 2 1/2 hours each way. Fort Jefferson was far more interesting than I thought it would be. We took the 30 minute tour with "Holiday" He continued with a more extensive tour for folks who wanted to continue. The views from the top of the Fort were great. Light breakfast/boxed lunch and tours were included in the cost of the Ferry as well as snorkeling equipment. The views from the top of the Fort were terrific.

We took the National park ferry over to Dry tortugas. We were too late toget tickets in advance. But we got up very early and went to ferry dock, to get on a list of standby. The ferry service offered a breakfast of bagel,fruit, juice, coffee, tea. Our main goal was snorkeling. Doing snorkeling around the south and north pillions was the best part of trip. Go out deeper in north pillions for fabulous viewing of many fish. The live coral on the pillions was spectacular.

It can be a tiring 5-hour round trip by ferry to the Dry Tortugas National Park, but it's well worth the effort. The tour is so enlightening — 16 million bricks to build Fort Jefferson! The sea planes are an option if you can afford them.

Ruins of a disused, never-completed huge fort to defend the Gulf of Mexico with an interesting history. 70 miles west of Key West, you must take a seaplane (fun!) or a ferry to get there. You can swim or snorkel, and tour the exhibits and the fort. You must bring your own water and snacks - none available on the island. There are a couple of toilets and changing rooms but no running water at all. Please respect the pristine environment and pack out all your trash.

What an experience. Truly enjoyed this little known & hidden National Park. The snorkeling was great, The actual fort is extraordinary & memorable. Too bad the expense of the ferry is getting to be so astronomical that it is getting to be cost prohibitive.