HTML SitemapExplore

Think Twice Before You Go to Dry Tortugas

🏝️Dry Tortugas National Park – a place that leaves me with mixed feelings. Must Bring: Seasickness pills, ginger candy (available at CVS), water, snacks, National Park passport, picnic mat, towel, change of clothes (if snorkeling), snorkeling gear is provided on the island. Steps After Arrival: After getting off the boat, head left to South Beach. There’s shade there—perfect for setting up your base camp ⛺️. It’s scorching hot and sunny, so find a spot to cool down. If interested, join a ranger tour. If the weather’s nice, go snorkeling right away—it could turn cloudy or windy in no time! After snorkeling, rinse off on the boat and chill as a laid-back beachgoer. Lunch is a sandwich and chips. The scenery is stunning—unbelievably blue water, and Fort Jefferson standing isolated in the sea is seriously cool with a rich history. On a good day, the snorkeling is said to be amazing. The beach even gives off Bahamas vibes with its shallow, clear waters 🇧🇸. But… there are real downsides: 1️⃣ High cost and commitment You pretty much have to take the Yankee Freedom ferry, round-trip tickets over $200, plus a full day: ~5 hours on the boat, 4–5 hours on the island. 2️⃣ Weather-dependent Your experience hinges entirely on wind and waves. Windy days mean murky water, colder temps, and limited activities. Tickets sell out far in advance—you won’t know the weather until it’s too late. It’s literally a lottery 🎫🌀. 3️⃣ The boat is rough The ride takes about 2.5 hours one way. You need to be at the dock by 6–7 AM. The last hour is especially choppy—very shaky and nauseating. I don’t usually get seasick, but I felt dizzy long after getting off and had to recover before enjoying the views. Still want to go? Be mentally prepared. Embrace the gamble. One question I kept asking myself: If you’re just going to be a beachgoer, is it worth a 5-hour boat ride for a beach? Yes, it’s beautiful, but Florida Keys has great state park beaches too. Places like Destin or Tampa also offer gorgeous, comfortable shores. If you’re up for it, you could even go to the Bahamas 🇧🇸. If snorkeling is your goal, Key Largo is more reliable, easier, and better value. Dry Tortugas is special and breathtaking—but it’s neither efficient nor predictable. Whether it’s “worth it” depends entirely on whether you’re okay with rolling the dice. —Unless, of course, you’re just in it for the National Park passport stamp 🛂✨. #US #Florida #Jacksonville #Orlando

Related posts
Jacksonville: A Glimpse into Florida’s Sprawling Riverside City🍁 Hidden Gem in Florida: Jacksonville’s Best-Kept Secrets! ✨Here’s a family-friendly travel guide for Jacksonville, Florida! 🌳👨‍Clearwater = Absolutely BREATHTAKING! Florida Family Travel Guide🇺🇸 Jacksonville, USA | Travel Plog
Miami William
Miami William
24 days ago
Miami William
Miami William
24 days ago
no-comment

No one has commented yet...

Think Twice Before You Go to Dry Tortugas

🏝️Dry Tortugas National Park – a place that leaves me with mixed feelings. Must Bring: Seasickness pills, ginger candy (available at CVS), water, snacks, National Park passport, picnic mat, towel, change of clothes (if snorkeling), snorkeling gear is provided on the island. Steps After Arrival: After getting off the boat, head left to South Beach. There’s shade there—perfect for setting up your base camp ⛺️. It’s scorching hot and sunny, so find a spot to cool down. If interested, join a ranger tour. If the weather’s nice, go snorkeling right away—it could turn cloudy or windy in no time! After snorkeling, rinse off on the boat and chill as a laid-back beachgoer. Lunch is a sandwich and chips. The scenery is stunning—unbelievably blue water, and Fort Jefferson standing isolated in the sea is seriously cool with a rich history. On a good day, the snorkeling is said to be amazing. The beach even gives off Bahamas vibes with its shallow, clear waters 🇧🇸. But… there are real downsides: 1️⃣ High cost and commitment You pretty much have to take the Yankee Freedom ferry, round-trip tickets over $200, plus a full day: ~5 hours on the boat, 4–5 hours on the island. 2️⃣ Weather-dependent Your experience hinges entirely on wind and waves. Windy days mean murky water, colder temps, and limited activities. Tickets sell out far in advance—you won’t know the weather until it’s too late. It’s literally a lottery 🎫🌀. 3️⃣ The boat is rough The ride takes about 2.5 hours one way. You need to be at the dock by 6–7 AM. The last hour is especially choppy—very shaky and nauseating. I don’t usually get seasick, but I felt dizzy long after getting off and had to recover before enjoying the views. Still want to go? Be mentally prepared. Embrace the gamble. One question I kept asking myself: If you’re just going to be a beachgoer, is it worth a 5-hour boat ride for a beach? Yes, it’s beautiful, but Florida Keys has great state park beaches too. Places like Destin or Tampa also offer gorgeous, comfortable shores. If you’re up for it, you could even go to the Bahamas 🇧🇸. If snorkeling is your goal, Key Largo is more reliable, easier, and better value. Dry Tortugas is special and breathtaking—but it’s neither efficient nor predictable. Whether it’s “worth it” depends entirely on whether you’re okay with rolling the dice. —Unless, of course, you’re just in it for the National Park passport stamp 🛂✨. #US #Florida #Jacksonville #Orlando

Jacksonville
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National ParkDry Tortugas National Park