Key West to Dry Tortugas
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Gonna try to run out during race week this year...
#22
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I have done quite a few trips down there in my buddies 53 foot sailboat with about 10 of us guys and 120 cases of beer. We have 2 other guys trailer down the 22 foot SeaCat from Naples to Keywest than drive it over from Keywest.
Tons of water and and supplies on the Mothership. Dive compressor on the SeaCat set out behind us us recharging our tanks at the end of the day. It’s quite a Party for 2 weeks. Good diving and Spearing outside the park We always come home with chests of fish
Tons of water and and supplies on the Mothership. Dive compressor on the SeaCat set out behind us us recharging our tanks at the end of the day. It’s quite a Party for 2 weeks. Good diving and Spearing outside the park We always come home with chests of fish
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We did the trip in 2017 and its a great day trip. We rolled out about 8:30-9 am grabbed a slip and spent a 1.5-2 hours roaming around the fort. There was a crocodile in one of the pools that was believed to be washed in by a hurricane which was cool to see. Sea planes in and out constantly so don't try to beach where they do. We left shortly after lunch and went North to a ship wreck that had a mooring ball to tie the boat off to and did some snorkeling around it. Either when you get there or leave boat all the way around the island it's very cool sight. On the way back we stopped outside KW and floated on a sandbar to watch the sunset.
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Thank you for finding and sharing that JS. It brings back great memories. I will share a picture album and a few thoughts on Dry Tortugas this afternoon.
Bob
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Interesting thread.
I first visited the Dry Tortugas in 1991 in my Top Gun and have enjoyed several return trips in various go fast boats over the years since. It is an interesting day trip and you can see most of Garden Key / Fort Jefferson and have time for a swim and snorkel before heading back to Key West. A few times I have done a 120 mile straight shot from Marco Island before heading the 70 miles over to Key West for the night. Check the weather carefully for the duration of your trip and do not get caught by a fast moving front that once greeted me on arrival from Marco Island about 1997 in my Formula 419. The seas went from 2 ft to Facebook 12 footers in 15 minutes. I had to abort entry into the DT because of the conditions and proximity to the reefs and change course for Key West. It really was touch and go for several hours of terror.
There is a campground on Garden Key if your into the pup tent thing or the boat may provide a more comfortable sleep if staying over. As has been mentioned bring everything you need for your stay including fuel as nothing can be bought there. Navigate carefully as reefs abound. The Marquesa Keys lay midway between Key West and Dry Tortugas and you can pass them either on the north side or south.
One thing has not been mentioned. Do not take any firearms as the Dry Tortugas is in a Federal, not a State park. You can read my story about this unfortunate guy who found out the hard way : A bedtime offshore adventure story by Bobthebuilder
Also here is my Flickr album from a trip in August of 2011 : https://www.flickr.com/photos/20990989@N05/albums/72157627477807178
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20990989@N05/albums/72157627477807178
Enjoy the trip, It is well worth it. Just go prepared.
Bob
I first visited the Dry Tortugas in 1991 in my Top Gun and have enjoyed several return trips in various go fast boats over the years since. It is an interesting day trip and you can see most of Garden Key / Fort Jefferson and have time for a swim and snorkel before heading back to Key West. A few times I have done a 120 mile straight shot from Marco Island before heading the 70 miles over to Key West for the night. Check the weather carefully for the duration of your trip and do not get caught by a fast moving front that once greeted me on arrival from Marco Island about 1997 in my Formula 419. The seas went from 2 ft to Facebook 12 footers in 15 minutes. I had to abort entry into the DT because of the conditions and proximity to the reefs and change course for Key West. It really was touch and go for several hours of terror.
There is a campground on Garden Key if your into the pup tent thing or the boat may provide a more comfortable sleep if staying over. As has been mentioned bring everything you need for your stay including fuel as nothing can be bought there. Navigate carefully as reefs abound. The Marquesa Keys lay midway between Key West and Dry Tortugas and you can pass them either on the north side or south.
One thing has not been mentioned. Do not take any firearms as the Dry Tortugas is in a Federal, not a State park. You can read my story about this unfortunate guy who found out the hard way : A bedtime offshore adventure story by Bobthebuilder
Also here is my Flickr album from a trip in August of 2011 : https://www.flickr.com/photos/20990989@N05/albums/72157627477807178
https://www.flickr.com/photos/20990989@N05/albums/72157627477807178
Enjoy the trip, It is well worth it. Just go prepared.
Bob
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Last edited by Bobthebuilder; 09-11-2019 at 03:37 PM.
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#30
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Bob
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