← Key West cruise guide
history · Key West

Dry Tortugas National Park: Fort Jefferson Full-Day Ferry

Sail 70 miles into the Gulf to America's most remote national park — a Civil War-era fortress rising from turquoise shallows. Snorkel pristine coral reefs, explore Fort Jefferson's massive battlements, and witness a wilderness most travelers never reach.

What to expect

Board the high-speed catamaran in Key West for a scenic 2.5-hour crossing to the Dry Tortugas. Explore Fort Jefferson's 16-million-brick ramparts with a ranger-led orientation, then snorkel reefs teeming with sea turtles, nurse sharks, and tropical fish. A gourmet picnic lunch is served on the pristine beach before the afternoon sail back to Key West.

Book it
Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran from Key West
$260 per person
Run by Yankee Freedom- Dry Tortugas National Park Museum
Book it →

Good to know

Pre-booking is essential — this ferry sells out weeks in advance. Departure is from the Historic Seaport (easy walk or taxi from the cruise pier). Check your ship's all-aboard time carefully: the ferry returns around 5:30 PM, so confirm your ship departs no earlier than 7 PM. Book directly at drytortugas.com well before your cruise date.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Key West — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Explora Journeys · EXPLORA IV
7 nights · calls at Key West
from $4,020
View sailing →
Explora Journeys · EXPLORA III
17 nights · calls at Key West
from $4,760
View sailing →
Azamara · Azamara Quest
11 nights · calls at Key West
from $4,944
View sailing →
Silversea · Silver Shadow
7 nights · calls at Key West
from $6,050
View sailing →
See all cruises to Key West →

More to do in Key West

← Back to the full Key West guide

⚓ Your bucket-list concierge

Doing the whole cruise?

Tell us your sailing and we'll send the bucket list for every port — the operator to call, real prices, and an honest verdict on each ship tour.

We send the plan to your account’s own address — never to one typed into a box. Free, and Google works.