Dry Tortugas National Park is a US National Park located in the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. The park is made up of seven small islands, including the largest, Garden Key, which is home to the historic Fort Jefferson. The park is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and diverse marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving.
Fort Jefferson history
Fort Jefferson is a massive 19th-century coastal fortress located on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida. The fort was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect one of the busiest shipping channels in the United States and to establish a naval presence in the Gulf of Mexico.
The construction of Fort Jefferson was a monumental engineering feat, as it required importing over 16 million bricks and building the fort on a shallow coral reef foundation, which made construction challenging. The fort was never fully completed, as changes in military technology made the structure obsolete by the time it was finished.
During the American Civil War, Fort Jefferson was used as a military prison and housed some of the most notable prisoners of the war, including Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was convicted of conspiracy in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Mudd treated John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg after the assassination, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment at Fort Jefferson. He eventually received a pardon from President Andrew Johnson and was released from prison in 1869.
After the Civil War, the fort continued to serve as a military outpost until it was decommissioned in 1874. In 1908, Fort Jefferson was designated as a bird sanctuary, and in 1935, it became a national monument. It was later designated as a national park in 1992.
How to get to Dry Tortugas National Park
The park is accessible only by seaplane or boat, and visitors can explore the fort, go snorkeling, swim, and sunbathe on the white sand beaches. The park is also an important bird-watching destination, with over 299 bird species recorded within the park.
Why “Dry Tortugas”?
The name “Dry Tortugas” is believed to have originated from the Spanish phrase “Las Tortugas” (meaning “the turtles”), which was given to the islands by Spanish explorers in the 16th century due to the abundance of sea turtles in the surrounding waters.
The word “dry” was added to the name to describe the lack of fresh water on the islands. The islands are composed of low-lying limestone and coral, which makes it difficult for vegetation to grow, and there are no natural sources of fresh water. This made the islands an inhospitable place for humans to live until the construction of Fort Jefferson in the mid-19th century.
Dry Tortugas National park- Interesting facts
- Remote Location: Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida, and can only be accessed by boat or seaplane. This makes it one of the most remote national parks in the United States and gives it a feeling of isolation and tranquility.
- Coral Reefs: The park is home to some of the most beautiful and pristine coral reefs in the world, which attract snorkelers and divers from around the globe. The reefs are home to a diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles, sharks, and colorful fish.
- Fort Jefferson: The park’s historic Fort Jefferson is one of the largest masonry structures in the Western Hemisphere and is a marvel of engineering and architecture. It was built in the mid-19th century to protect one of the busiest shipping lanes in the United States and has a rich history.
- Birdlife: Dry Tortugas National Park is an important nesting site for many species of birds, including brown noddies, sooty terns, and frigatebirds. The park is also an important stopover for migrating birds, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.
- Unique Ecosystem: The park’s ecosystem is unique, with a combination of tropical and temperate plant and animal species. The islands are composed of low-lying limestone and coral, which makes it difficult for vegetation to grow, and there are no natural sources of fresh water, which has led to the development of unique adaptations among the park’s plant and animal species.
How to spend one day in Dry Tortugas National Park
- Explore Fort Jefferson: The main attraction in Dry Tortugas National Park is the historic Fort Jefferson, which was built in the 19th century. You can take a self-guided tour of the fort and learn about its history and significance.
- Snorkeling and diving: Dry Tortugas National Park is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, and the crystal-clear waters make it a great place for snorkeling and diving. You can see a wide variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even shipwrecks. We spent couple of hours snorkeling there. We variety of parrotfish, butterflies fish and angelfish.
- Birdwatching: The Dry Tortugas are home to over 299 species of birds, making it a great place for birdwatching. Some of the most common species include brown noddies, sooty terns, and frigatebirds.
- Swimming and sunbathing: You can also swim and sunbathe on the park’s beautiful white sand beaches.
