Some info about Dry Tortugas (and PICTURES)

This is for people who want to visit the Tortugas/Fort Jeff on their own, either by their own boat, or bareboat charter (and yes, there is a company that will let you do it-surprised me, too)

Upon arrival by boat to the Tortugas you will need to check in.  Usually you can find the park ranger who will walk you through the process, but if not, there is an area at the ferry dock where you can check yourself in.  Super simple process.

You will pay your park fee which is $10/pp for up to 7 days.  That has its own drop box. You keep a portion of the envelope as your receipt.

Boaters will have to fill out a boat permit.  This is free. As the park ranger explained to us, it's like a float plan for while you are in the Dry Tortugas.  How long will you be here?  Where will you be? (Loggerhead Key, Garden Key, etc.)  how many people.

Also, they will post a daily weather report including marine weather. (which was nice, because our Delorme weather report lied to us.)

So, if you don't do that, the Park Ranger will either hail you on VHF or come out with the forms.  They make it very easy to do.

While the ferry is at the fort, the only restrooms will be closed and you will have to go to the ferry. Evidently an agreement they have.

Long time ago there used to be restrooms at the ferry dock, but they turned those to changing rooms and they have self composting toilets.

Once you spend your ten minutes checking in, the park is open.

Or, if you have no motor on your dinghy you spend the next 20 minutes carrying your dinghy to an upwind position from your boat.

But, when you get that done?  Oh, que magnifique!

Oh, what a pretty girl.