Key West - Side Trip Dry Tortugas - Fort Jefferson

Dry Tortugas and the Fort Jefferson

Inside the Fort
One of the six second floor hallways

We elected to not try to go to the Dry Tortugas National Park using Blue Willow.  Many people do, but there needs to be a perfect weather window (at least three days).  

Jim, Connie, Vicki
At the bow.

Mark n Vicki getting blown away 

We instead elected to take a ferry to the island.  We went with Aunt Aggie, Markate, Patroit and their relatives Gordo and Bev.  It was a 2.5 hour trip each way.  The Dry Tortugas are located about 70 miles west of Key West. There are few keys in which to anchor and get protection if one does make the trip.  At the main key of the Dry Tortugas there is minimal protection as well.
(Click for their website) 

Ocean shot of the Fort

Inside the Fort

The 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands.  Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life,  and the vast assortment of bird life that frequent the area.

We snorkeled the ocean portion of the perimeter of the moat wall.  We also snorkeled the coal dock areas.  Of note I saw a Tarpin. Yikes he was huge.  There was also a huge barracuda.  

Our ferry boat framed via Fort

Nice

We self toured the Fort, and it was pretty cool.  Of note, there were never any prisoners, ever at the Fort.  During the civil war deserters from the south were housed there.  Interesting stories about several others located there as well.

The beaches were awesome, and it was fun to walk them in the bright sunshine and warm temperatures.

The birds were aplenty.  The entertaining Pelicans 'dive bombing' to get their meal is especially fun to watch.  Check out this Great Blue Heron (?) drying out (or warming up?) its wings.

Can you guess what this is? (scroll down)

Early forming of a stalagmite, via the calcium in the masonry.