Boat Docking Options In Dry Tortugas: What You Need To Know

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination accessible only by boat, float plane, or seaplane. It is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. The park offers a unique experience with excellent beaches, snorkelling, bird watching, and the opportunity to explore the historic Fort Jefferson. Visitors can bring their own boats or take the Yankee Freedom III ferry or Key West Seaplane Adventures to the park. Docking options at Garden Key, the main docking area, are limited due to damaged piers, and boats are subject to a two-hour docking limit.

Docking options at Garden Key are limited due to damaged piers

Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote national parks in the USA. It is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and is made up of seven small islands. The park is accessible by boat or float plane.

The main dock is also occupied from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily due to the presence of the passenger ferry boat. On certain days, the main dock is unavailable when the park supply boat unloads cargo or fuel. There may be other instances when the dock is not accessible.

For those coming ashore to obtain permits, pay entrance fees, or unload gear, there are six slips where boats may dock temporarily for up to two hours on a first-come, first-served basis. The slips are located to the left of the ferry dock and are closed from sunset to sunrise.

Private vessels may use the main dock when available but will be limited by the available space. The east end of the main dock is reserved for the Yankee Freedom III between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. Vessels may use the west end of the dock when available, with a limit of approximately three boats tied to the dock and no more than two boats deep. The total allowable dock usage for one day is two hours (cumulative) per vessel, and no overnight docking is permitted.

The National Park Service has secured funding for repairs to the finger piers and dinghy beach, but repairs are not expected to be completed until 2024.

All private boats entering Dry Tortugas National Park must first stop at Garden Key headquarters, located inside Fort Jefferson, before recreating within the park. A boat permit is required for all recreational vessels, including kayaks and dinghies, and can be obtained from park rangers on site or via VHF Marine Radio Channel 16.

There is a two-hour limit for slip usage

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination in the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It is accessible by boat, seaplane, or ferry. The park is a popular destination for boating and fishing, with many visitors choosing to bring their own boats to the park.

There are docking options available at Garden Key for private vessels. However, docking options may be limited due to damage to the piers caused by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The finger piers and main dinghy beach remain closed until repairs can be made. As an alternative, a small dinghy beach between the main dock and the seaplane beach is open during specified times.

For those visiting the park with their boats, there is a two-hour limit for slip usage. The visitor slips are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are located between the park dock and the dinghy beach. Boaters can use the slips to unload camping gear and supplies or to take a walking tour of the fort. As the harbor can be busy with many small private boats, the two-hour limit ensures that all visitors have a fair chance to access the slips.

In addition to the time limit, there are a few other important considerations for boaters. Firstly, a boat permit is required for all recreational vessels, including kayaks, canoes, and dinghies. These permits can be obtained free of charge from park rangers on-site or by contacting the VHF Marine Radio Channel. Secondly, there are specific anchoring restrictions within the park's Research Natural Area (RNA). Boaters are not permitted to drop anchor within the RNA and must use mooring buoys instead. There is a two-hour limit for mooring at any one buoy. Finally, all private boats entering the park must first stop at the Garden Key headquarters located inside Fort Jefferson before recreating within the park.

All private boats must first stop at Garden Key headquarters

All private boats entering Dry Tortugas National Park must first stop at the Garden Key headquarters, which is located inside Fort Jefferson. This is a mandatory step before any recreational activities can take place within the park. It is important to note that a boat permit is not necessary if you are simply transiting through the park without stopping.

Boat permits are, however, required for all recreational vessels, including kayaks, canoes, dinghies, vessels operating under a Commercial Use Authorization, and commercial fishing vessels. Vessels exceeding 50 meters in length require a Special Use Authorization in addition to the standard boat permit. These permits can be obtained free of charge from park rangers on-site or via VHF Marine Radio Channel 16.

Upon arrival at Garden Key, there are six slips available for temporary docking. These slips facilitate the unloading of camping gear and supplies, as well as providing access to walking tours of the fort. Due to the high volume of small private boats visiting the park, usage of these slips is limited to two hours per vessel.

The visitor slips are conveniently located between the park dock and the dinghy beach, offering easy walking access to camping and beach areas, as well as the fort entrance. The main dock at Garden Key is occupied daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by the Yankee Freedom III ferry, which serves as the primary means of transportation to the park for those without private boats.

It is worth noting that there may be times when the dock is inaccessible due to the presence of the ferry or other factors. In such cases, visitors are advised to contact park staff via VHF 16 for further instructions and information.

The slips are located to the left of the ferry dock

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination in the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It is accessible by boat, seaplane, or ferry. The islands are a great spot for birdwatching, snorkelling, and exploring Fort Jefferson, the largest brick building in the United States.

If you are visiting the Dry Tortugas National Park by boat, there are a few things you should know about docking. Firstly, all private boats entering the park must stop at Garden Key headquarters inside Fort Jefferson before recreating within the park. A boat permit is not necessary if you are simply transiting through the park without stopping. Boat permits are required for all recreational vessels, including kayaks and dinghies, and they can be obtained for free at Garden Key's dock house.

Now, onto the main topic of this paragraph: the visitor boat slips. These slips are located between the park dock and the dinghy beach, offering easy walking access to the camping, beach, and fort entrance areas. Visitors can use these slips on a first-come, first-served basis to unload camping gear and supplies or to take a walking tour of the fort. There is a two-hour time limit for slip usage due to the high number of small private boats that use the harbour.

The slips are closed from sunset to sunrise

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote destination in the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. It is accessible by boat, seaplane, or private charter. The park is made up of seven small islands, with Garden Key being the most commonly visited.

The park has docking options for private vessels, with slips available on a first-come, first-served basis. These slips are located between the park dock and the dinghy beach, offering easy access to the camping and beach areas, as well as the fort entrance. However, it is important to note that these slips are closed from sunset to sunrise. Visitors are allowed to use the slips for a maximum of two hours during the day to unload camping gear, take a walking tour of the fort, or obtain boat permits and pay entrance fees.

The main dock at Garden Key is occupied daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to the presence of the passenger ferry boat, the Yankee Freedom III. On certain days, the main dock may also be inaccessible to the public when the park supply boat unloads cargo or fuel. Additionally, there may be other instances when the dock is not accessible due to unforeseen circumstances.

For those visiting Dry Tortugas National Park with their private boats, it is important to be mindful of the park's rules and regulations. A park entrance fee is required for individuals aged 16 and older, covering a seven-day consecutive stay. Boat permits are also necessary for all recreational vessels, including kayaks, canoes, and dinghies. These permits can be obtained free of charge from park rangers or at the Garden Key dock house.

Overall, Dry Tortugas National Park offers a unique and memorable experience for visitors, with its remote location, historic fort, excellent beaches, and snorkeling opportunities. However, it is important to plan ahead and be aware of the docking limitations, especially during sunset and sunrise, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit to the park.

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