Boat Dock Access At Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It is made up of seven small islands composed of coral reefs and sand, and is known for its bird and marine life, as well as its legends of pirates and sunken gold. Visitors can travel to the park by ferry, seaplane, or private boat, and there is a park entrance fee for those 16 and older, which covers a stay at the park for seven consecutive days. The park features a public dock at Garden Key, where visitors can tie up their vessels for a maximum of two hours per day between sunrise and sunset.

The main dock at Garden Key is occupied from 10 am to 3 pm daily

The Dry Tortugas National Park is a unique eco-attraction, located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It is made up of seven small islands, coral reefs and sand, and is known for its bird and marine life, as well as its legends of pirates and sunken gold.

The Park can be reached by ferry, seaplane or private boat. The Yankee Freedom ferry and Key West Seaplane Adventures are authorised to serve the public at the Park. Visitors can also bring their own boats, although rules and restrictions apply.

The main dock at Garden Key is a hub of activity. It is where visitors can pay the park entrance fee, either online in advance or at the self-pay kiosk. The fee covers a seven-day stay at the park and is required for anyone over 16. The main dock is also where visitors arriving by private seaplane or boat pay the entrance fee. This must be done in cash or by check.

The main dock is a busy place, occupied from 10 am to 3 pm daily by the passenger ferry boat. On certain days, it is also used by the park supply boat to unload cargo and fuel. There may be other instances when the dock is not accessible, and visitors are advised to contact park staff on VHF 16 with any queries.

The main dock and the three finger piers closest to it are available for public use. Visitors can tie up their vessels for a maximum of two hours per day between sunrise and sunset. However, they must not use the finger piers designated for government vessels only.

For those arriving by private boat, there are additional rules to be aware of. A free boat permit is required for all recreational vessels, and vessels greater than 50 meters need a Special Use Authorisation. There are six slips where boats can dock temporarily for up to two hours on a first-come, first-served basis. These slips are located to the left of the ferry dock and are closed from sunset to sunrise.

Boaters staying for the day or overnight must anchor within one nautical mile of Garden Key and can only drop anchor on sandy bottoms, not on coral reefs. A small boat, such as a dinghy, is needed to reach the island, and there is a dinghy beach next to the boat slips.

There is no anchoring within one nautical mile of Garden Key

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It is made up of seven small islands, coral reefs, and sand. The area is known for its bird and marine life and its legends of pirates and sunken gold. Fort Jefferson, a historic fort that was once used as a prison during the Civil War, is a central feature of the park.

There are a few ways to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, including by ferry, seaplane, or private boat. The Yankee Freedom ferry and Key West Seaplane Adventures are authorised to serve the public at the park.

If you are arriving by private boat, there are some important things to keep in mind. First, there is a park entrance fee for those 16 and older, which covers a stay at the park for seven consecutive days. This fee can be paid online in advance or at Garden Key, where payment is made at a self-pay kiosk located on the main boat dock. In addition to the entrance fee, a free boat permit is required for all recreational vessels, including kayaks, canoes, and commercial fishing vessels. Vessels greater than 50 meters require a Special Use Authorisation in addition to the boat permit.

Now, addressing the specific topic you have requested: There is no anchoring within one nautical mile of Garden Key. This is because this area is designated as a Research Natural Area (RNA). Instead, boaters must use mooring buoys, which are located at the most popular spots. There is a two-hour limit on mooring your boat at any one buoy.

If you are planning to stay overnight, anchoring is permitted within one nautical mile of Garden Key, but only on sandy bottoms. This is because the RNA has special protection status and is off-limits to visitors. The RNA encompasses 46% of the Dry Tortugas National Park and includes areas closed to anchoring and areas where permits are required.

In summary, while Dry Tortugas National Park can be accessed by private boat, there are strict rules in place regarding anchoring. Visitors must adhere to the designated anchoring areas and the two-hour limit when using the mooring buoys.

Tickets can be purchased at the self-pay kiosk on the main boat dock

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It is made up of seven small islands and is known for its bird and marine life, as well as its legends of pirates and sunken gold. The park offers a variety of exciting activities such as snorkelling, camping, sightseeing and bird watching.

There are a few ways to get to Dry Tortugas National Park, including by ferry, seaplane or private boat. The official Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry is called the Yankee Freedom, a high-speed catamaran that transports guests to the park from Key West. The ferry includes a fully narrated 45-minute tour of Fort Jefferson and complimentary snorkelling equipment.

Another option is to take a seaplane, which is the fastest way to get to the park. Key West Seaplane Adventures is the only company that flies to Dry Tortugas National Park, offering scenic flights over the Florida Keys.

Finally, visitors can also bring their own private boats to Dry Tortugas National Park, although rules and fees apply. A park entrance fee of $15 per person is required for those 16 and older, covering a stay at the park for seven consecutive days. Tickets can be purchased online in advance at Recreation.gov or at Garden Key, where payment is made at the self-pay kiosk located on the main boat dock. Payment at Garden Key is in cash or cheque only, and visitors should not expect change. In addition to the park entrance fee, a free boat permit is required for all recreational vessels.

There are six slips for temporary docking for up to two hours

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination with no food, water, fuel, trash, or recycling facilities available to the public. Visitors must bring all provisions for their entire journey to and from the park, and take their trash back with them. All private boats entering the park must first stop at Garden Key headquarters inside Fort Jefferson before recreating within the park. A park entrance fee of $15 per person is required for those aged 16 and older, and this covers a stay at the park for seven consecutive days. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at Garden Key via cash or check at the self-pay kiosk on the main boat dock. In addition to the park entrance fee, a free boat permit is required for all recreational vessels, including kayaks, canoes, dinghies, commercial fishing vessels, and vessels operating under a Commercial Use Authorization. Vessels greater than 50 meters require a Special Use Authorization in addition to the boat permit. No permit is necessary for boats passing through without stopping, and permits can only be obtained at Garden Key's dock house.

For those coming ashore to obtain boat permits, pay entrance fees, or unload gear, there are six slips available for temporary docking for up to two hours on a first-come, first-served basis. These slips are located to the left of the ferry dock and are closed from sunset to sunrise. The ferry dock is reserved for the Yankee Freedom Ferry, so visitors should not use it. The slips are located near a dinghy beach, where small boats such as dinghies, kayaks, and canoes can be secured. Boaters staying for the day or overnight must anchor within one nautical mile of Garden Key and can only drop anchor on sandy bottoms, not on coral reefs.

The Research Natural Area (RNA) encompasses 46% of the park and has special regulations. There is no anchoring allowed within the RNA, and mooring buoys are available for day use only, with a two-hour limit per buoy. A Boat Permits and Mooring Buoys brochure can be obtained from a ranger when paying the park fee or obtaining a boat permit. The main dock and three finger piers closest to it are available for public use at Garden Key, with a two-hour limit per day between sunrise and sunset. However, the main dock is occupied daily from 10 am to 3 pm due to the presence of the passenger ferry boat, and it is also unavailable on certain days when the park supply boat unloads cargo and fuel. Visitors should contact park staff on VHF 16 if the dock is inaccessible for other reasons.

The slips are closed from sunset to sunrise

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination with no food, water, fuel, trash, or recycling facilities available to the public. Visitors must bring all provisions and plan to take their trash back with them.

The park can be reached by boat or seaplane, and visitors are welcome to travel to the park on their private boats. However, rules and restrictions apply. A park entrance fee is required for those 16 and older, covering a stay at the park for seven consecutive days. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at Garden Key, where payment is made at a self-pay kiosk located on the main boat dock.

In addition to the park entrance fee, a free boat permit is required for all recreational vessels, including kayaks, canoes, dinghies, commercial fishing vessels, and vessels operating under a Commercial Use Authorization. Vessels greater than 50 meters require a Special Use Authorization in addition to the boat permit. No permit is needed for boats passing through without stopping, and permits can only be obtained at Garden Key's dock house.

There are six slips where boats may dock temporarily for up to two hours on a first-come, first-served basis. These slips are located to the left of the ferry dock, specifically designated for the Yankee Freedom Ferry. Notably, these slips are closed from sunset to sunrise, ensuring that boats can only utilize them during daylight hours. This timing restriction is essential for the safety and management of the docks, allowing for proper oversight and preventing unauthorized use.

For those visiting the park, it is crucial to follow the rules and regulations set by the management. Boaters who intend to stay for the entire day or overnight must anchor within one nautical mile of Garden Key and can only drop anchor on sandy bottoms, avoiding any damage to coral reefs. A small boat, such as a dinghy, is necessary to reach the island, and there is a designated dinghy beach next to the boat slips.

The majority of restrictions on boating and fishing apply within the park's Research Natural Area (RNA). Anchoring within the RNA is prohibited, and boaters must use the available mooring buoys, with a two-hour limit per buoy. A brochure detailing the boat permits and mooring buoys can be obtained from a ranger when paying the park fee or obtaining a boat permit.

The slips being closed from sunset to sunrise is a crucial aspect of the docking process at Dry Tortugas National Park. This timing restriction ensures that boats can only utilize the slips during daylight hours, providing better oversight and management while preventing unauthorized use during the night. Visitors must plan their arrival and departure times accordingly, respecting the rules and regulations implemented by the park authorities.

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