The islands of the Dry Tortugas are by far one of the most visited but most inaccessible islands that also happen to be a national park. Located 68 miles off the coast of Key West Florida, the Dry Tortugas are a collection of small and remote islands that are home to some of the country's most diverse marine life and bird life. Typically, visitors to the Dry Tortugas arrive via ferry boat. But a few select travelers can now also travel by seaplane to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson, allowing them significantly reduced travel time and increased time spent on the islands.
There is really no better way to visit the Dry Tortugas. Aboard our comfortable seaplanes, every passenger gets a window seat as well as a headset from which they can hear the knowledgeable pilot talk about the sights you will see on your way out to the islands. The flight out to the islands is an experience onto itself. The plane flies at a low altitude of 500 feet, allowing passengers to get once-in-a-lifetime glimpses of the various islands and environments that are located between Key West and the Dry Tortugas. These include the 20-mile stretch of shallow "flats" area just past Key West where the shallow and clear waters allow seaplane passenger to see all kinds of marine life ranging from sharks to sting rays. You also fly over the stunning Marquesas Islands, a circular group of islands known as a coral atoll. You also catch sight of several shipwrecks in shallow water including the WWII Destroyer Escort called the Patricia.
The sightseeing on the way to the Dry Tortugas provide excellent photo opportunities, but the best photo ops come when you reach the Tortugas and the pilot takes you on a low over-pass of Garden Key and Fort Jefferson. Definitely have your cameras ready at this point, as only few travelers ever get this birds-eye view of Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas.
As far as the time spent on the Dry Tortugas, passengers can choose between half-day trips of full-day trips. Almost every seaplane trip to the islands allows passengers to experience the islands before the influx of ferry visitors reach them, which provides another unique experience of walking on the island of Garden Key along with only a handful of other visitors.
The Dry Tortugas are known as having some of the best snorkeling from anywhere in the Key West and Lower Keys area. Seaplane passengers are offered complimentary snorkeling gear that they can use to snorkel at the Dry Tortugas coral reef, located just a few yards of the shore of Garden Key's main white-sand beach. The Tortugas are also known for their bird populations. Throughout the year, up to 200 different species of birds can be seen in the Dry Tortugas. Bring your binoculars. And if you're an avid bird watcher, keep in mind that the best months for bird watching are from March through September.
Seaplane passengers are offered complimentary drinks, but passengers going on the full-day excursion should bring a packed lunch. The seaplanes provide coolers for storage.
