The Dry Tortugas

The Dry Tortugas are a very small group of islands located about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. The Dry Tortugas were discovered by Ponce de León, the famous Spanish explorer in 1513. They are an unincorporated area of Monroe County, Florida and even though no one lives on the islands, they belong to the Lower Keys Census County Division. They make up the Dry Tortugas National Park when you include the surrounding waters.

The Dry Tortugas are world renowned for fishing, diving and their crystal clear waters. It is possible to visit the Dry Tortugas by seaplane, boat, or ferry! No accommodations exist on the islands, but many camp at Fort Jefferson or on their boats. Camping there is very primitive, you must bring everything with you including drinking water, as there is no natural supply of fresh water on the island; hence the name “Dry” Tortugas.

The Dry Tortugas are home to an extensive variety of wildlife including many species of fish, reptiles, plants, birds and other animals. Because of their distance to the mainland, the Dry Tortugas are considered the most tropical part of the Florida Keys.

Dry Tortugas Fishing

One of the most popular things to do in the Tortugas is fishing. The Dry Tortugas are home to many popular and tasty fish including: snappers, groupers, dolphin (Mahi Mahi, not flipper, although there are plenty of those as well), billfish, and many more. The diverse aquascaping of the Tortugas and it’s proximity to the Gulfstream make for excellent year round fishing. Fishermen come from all over the world to experience some of the best deep sea fishing anywhere in Florida. When planning a fishing vacation, the Dry Tortugas should be at the top of any serious fisherman’s list. Due to the distance from Key West, many fisherman spend at least one night in the Dry Tortugas. Multi-Day trips and custom charters are also available out of Key West. Boaters wishing to travel in their own boats are advised to go well-prepared for the several hour journey. More information available in Dry Tortugas Fishing

Dry Tortugas History

The first European that discovered the islands was the famous Spanish explorer Ponce De Leon. He gave them the name “Las Tortugas” (The Turtles) on his first visit there in 1513. The name was given due to the fact that 170 sea turtles were taken on the islands and shoals by de Leon’s men. Because of the lack of fresh water on the islands, the word “Dry” was added soon afterward. The name Dry Tortugas is the second oldest surviving European place-name in all of the United States.

In 1846, the United States began building what is now Fort Jefferson, although it was never completed it once housed over 2000 people at it’s peak. In the past 150 years, the island has also been a prison and a refueling station. In 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt designate the area as Fort Jefferson National Monument. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and in 1992 it was established as a National Park. Read more about Fort Jefferson.