Dry Tortugas National Parkwest of Key West, FL

Visibility is an estimate — wind, rain, tide & water alerts.

Getting in

Shore access, walk in off the sand

Who it suits

Suits beginners

Snorkeling

Snorkelable from the beach

Best conditions

Visibility at the moat wall is best on a flood tide. Swimming inside the moat is not allowed; the route runs along the outside of the wall.

Getting through the gate

National park entrance fee of $15 per person, good for 7 consecutive days; children under 16 are exempt. Cash is not accepted, so private boaters and seaplane visitors pay through Recreation.gov. Most visitors come on the daily ferry or a seaplane from Key West.

Parking

None. The park is an island more than 68 miles of open sea from Key West, reached only by boat or seaplane.

Protection

Dry Tortugas National Park, run by the National Park Service. Fishing is prohibited in the Research Natural Area and inside the buoyed swim areas, and spearfishing and lobster harvest are banned throughout the park.

Watch for

Fire coral stings if touched, and there are jellyfish in the water, Extreme remoteness; the NPS warns it is a long way to the hospital, across more than 68 miles of open sea, No lifeguards on duty; the park requires the buddy system and you swim at your own risk, Intense sun exposure, with no shade once you are in the water

Checked 2026-07-21. Sources: NPS Dry Tortugas: Swimming, Snorkeling and Diving, NPS Dry Tortugas: Frequently Asked Questions, NPS Dry Tortugas: Safety, NPS Dry Tortugas: Fishing.