Dry Tortugas??? what and where is it
 

I read another post and someone mentioned Dry Tortugas.could someone give me some info. on what and where it is? I think it is off key west. <BR>thanks

The real last island of the US, about 30 miles SW from Key West. Has great snokling. And can be reached by private plane or boat. I think also a National Park too? Or at least State Park.

The Dry Tortugas are a series of small islands off Key West. The most famous is Ft. Jefferson National Monument, which was a huge brick prison used during the Civil War. It is a great trip from Key West by catamaran, and the snorkeling around the island is excellent! You can walk along the top of the fort and the views are wonderful. <BR>There is also a lighthouse on the fort. A bird sanctuary is located a few yards from the fort, but I don't think they let you go there because it would disturb the birds. Another way to get there is by seaplane , which looked like a fun trip.

If you don't like snorkeling, there's not alot else there to keep you occupied. The fort is sorta boring and doesn't take long to see it. And there are no restaurants there, or coke machines. <BR>having said all that, I enjoy the place. it's quiet, and the snorkeling is good. <BR>I just don't want anyone thinking that going there is like going to Disneyworld.

I took the seaplane there a while ago - it's about 40 mins ride. The Fort is worth seeing just to see what a massive waste of money it was (never used). The snokeling is excellant. Take a piq-niq and drink with you. We thought the half day trip was about the right length of time. You can get there on a catamaran, but it takes ages.

best bet is to take 1/2 day seaplane trip. that way you get there before the boats from key west with lots of <BR>people show up. we were the first ones there in the morning, total of 8 people on the plane. snorkeling was excellent without a crowd. it is possible to camp there overnite. called the Dry Trotugas because there is no fresh water. although not used during the civil war it was used as a prison and is where Dr. Mudd was sent to serve his sentance (visit his cell!), check out the movie 'the prisoner of shark island', it's about his trial and imprisonment there. just as we were leaving the first catamaran showed up with about 75 people on it.

info

Dry Tortugas Islands (Fort Jefferson), are 82 miles west of Key West. They are 2 1/2 hours by boat or 40 minutes by seaplane. Bring your own food and water.

Any idea on the cost of the sea plane per person?

The cost per person to travel on a seaplane to the Dry Tortugas is between $150 - $170. Best time to go is in the morning.

It is 179 a person. Children are less. Here is the site.http://seaplanesofkeywest.com/<BR>

ttt