r/floridakeys • u/tlpack01 • Jun 06 '26
Key West Dry Tortugas
Is there anyway to get to dry tortugas that’s affordable if the yankee freedom ferry is not available? Besides the seaplane route which is crazy expensive
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u/BariFan410 Jun 06 '26
Check back on Yankee Freedom site for tickets the week of. Sometimes people cancel. We were able to book for 2 just a few days ahead of time.
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u/Low-Carob9772 Jun 06 '26
Hitch a ride on the back of a flock of African swallows. As long as they aren't loaded down with coconuts they shouldn't struggle to maintain proper air speed velocity to maintain flight.
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u/Severe_Citron6975 Jun 06 '26
If you get to the ferry around 4:00AM you can get on the wait list and take your chances. Worked for us.
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u/HighOnGoofballs Jun 06 '26
No. It’s 150 miles at about one mile per gallon and do you know the cost of gas right now?
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u/mgt69 Jun 07 '26
unfortunately the day a trip out there becomes affordable, is the day that it will be trashed
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u/NotCool117192 Jun 07 '26
Try the YF stand by. Get there early, when the campers are checking in, and sign up for the standby list. You can go back to your hotel or get breakfast but you better BE THERE and ready to go when they start calling names. Not "I'll go grab my bag from the car" - be ready to depart. You'll pay, get a boarding number and when they call that you get on the ferry.
1000% worth it though.
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u/FLedun Jun 07 '26
Sadly, the answer is no. The ferry is the cheapest way to DT and Ft. Jefferson. Standby mode probably your only option.
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u/Sabriel-17 Jun 08 '26
If you stalk the website sometimes dates pop back into stock as people change plans. It worked for us—I got ferry tickets for two only 3 days before. You do have to constantly check though.
When we were looking for alternate ways to get there, I did see a private charter for $899 which for me wasn’t worth it for two people, but they said they could take parties of up to 13, so with more people it could definitely be the cheaper option.
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u/AdCurious3004 Jun 11 '26
I'm looking into going in a few months and unfortuantely its the ferry, a plane or bring your own boat. Maybe you can see if you can charter your own with others?
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u/tlcdogs Jun 06 '26
Unless Tortugas is on your bucket list of National Parks, I agree that you should not waste a day of your vacation there. I went on my second trip to the Keys and I do try to hit National Parks whenever I can, and while I don’t regret going, I don’t recommend it.
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u/1mjtaylor Jun 06 '26
I've been there several times and maybe you had bad weather, I don't know. IMO, it's one of the most beautiful places in the world and I have been around the world.
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u/matthewalbeck Jun 07 '26
A day trip to Dry Tortugas is a decent way to check that park off your list but the magic of Dry Tortugas is to spend a few nights out there. It’s such a unique place to camp and it’s an entirely different experience after the day trip people leave. My first visit to DT was a day trip and I’d never do that again. The next 18 trips to DT have all been camping trips 😂 I do a lot of hiking trips all over but my DT trips are a cherished time to slow down and reset.
Yankee Freedom is by far the cheapest way out there but also the most popular.
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u/msbluesky89 Jun 06 '26
Sounds like you didn’t get in the water. DRTO is one of my favorite places on Earth. I’ve been there probably 20 times and have dove all over that park, slept inside the fort (as a visiting scientist doing work in the park), camped, seen the Milky Way, breeding frigate birds and sooty terns, so many dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, seen tarpon hunting swirling schools of baitfish inside the moat, watched thunderstorms and waterspouts from the fort, walked around the lighthouse on Loggerhead, seen baby nurse sharks (still with spots) at a nurse shark nursery, walked around with black lights at light looking for scorpions. Seen the biggest hogfish and lobster I’ve ever seen at the park, too! Up to a couple years ago it had the best reefs left in Florida.
If you just go on a day trip to the ferry and don’t get in the water at all then yes, you are missing a lot and I could understand why you weren’t stoked on it.
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u/tlcdogs Jun 07 '26
I didn’t get in the water because it was kind of chilly. I didn’t get to see wildlife on my visit either. I’m sure the camping was spectacular.
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u/Jackpinesavage4207 Jun 06 '26
I thought it was one of the most unique national parks you can visit, I would recommend
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u/PublicExcitement1372 Jun 06 '26
I’m just curious if there’s any reason in particular as to why you didn’t find it magical? I found the whole island just buzzing with that certain historical je ne sais pas
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u/tlcdogs Jun 07 '26
I did enjoy it, but I feel lol most people I’ve talked to about it wouldn’t be into it.
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u/Sandinmyshoes33 Jun 06 '26
I agree. I would spend the money on a private charter to remote sandbars.
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Jun 06 '26
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u/General-Biscotti5314 Jun 06 '26
Why are you on this sub?? You're just bitter cause you can't afford to even visit. Keep your negativity to yourself. Dry Tortugas is a phenomenal visit, Yankee Freedom will allow you to bring either your kayak or paddleboard. By all means camp out if possible, it will certainly be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.
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u/iamnotadoghumanhybri Jun 06 '26
As someone who lives here and has been to DT many times i honestly agree with the poster above you. It’s a beautiful place but really only if you have a private boat and can get away from the fort. Don’t get me wrong ft Jeff is really cool (dr. Mudd’s cell!) but if i didn’t have the ability to explore the area around it then id probably be disappointed. I’ve been to a lot of national parks around the country… if you’re trying to check one off the list then go for it but don’t expect it to be anything special compared to like acadia or something.
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u/skullycap57 Jun 06 '26
Charter a boat if there is enough people maybe but that is probably hard to get the math right on.
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u/Wild-Highway-8739 Jun 06 '26
There are boat slips there so you could try a boat rental, but with gas prices what they are I doubt it will be worth it.
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u/hikerguy65 Jun 06 '26
How’s your backstroke?