Always been on my bucket list and last week I made it there. I enjoy history, the outdoors, desolation. isolation and water. This place has all of that, and I was thrilled to explore. Hard for me to imagine though that at its peak there were 1700 people living there.

So cool. I wish I had gone years ago when it was cheaper. Last time I looked it would have been $1,000 for the five of us by boat. I’ve thought about taking our own boat, but my wife didn’t particularly enjoy the short trip to Looe Key.

I did a 2 week detail in Dry Tortugas back in 2004 and stayed on loggerhead key. Fort Jefferson is the largest brick and mortar fort in the US. Truly an amazing structure. When tropical storms pass through, the excess rainfall seeps through the mortar joints and “rain” inside the entire building.

Snorkeling the reefs was incredible. Lots of fauna in and around them. Huge barracuda, and a dizzying array of colorful fish species. There was a Goliath Grouper living under the forts dock that was enormous- more than 6” long and over 500 pounds and a smaller 300 pounder living under the dock on Loggerhead key. I’d love to go back.

Went there about 16-17 years ago in my boat with wife. Slept on a blow up mattress on boat first part of August. Hot during the day but needed light blanket at night. Fishing was great. Adding a few more pics for those haven't been and would like to.

Are those beached boats in the photo with the caution tape around them from Cuba?

I've always wanted to go there...my wife and I may still do it some day. We looked into it a few years back but for one reason or another it never happened. Thanks for sharing the photos, it makes me want to look into it again!

Yes they where from Cuba.

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Are those beached boats in the photo with the caution tape around them from Cuba?

Those are referred to as “chugs”. They are typically packed to the gunnels with as many refugees as physically possible. They sometimes swamp en route from overcrowding and those on board don’t survive. They come to Tortugas because as the crow flies, it is the closest American territory to Cuba. While I was there, one came ashore and we transported them to a CBP station in the Keys because they touched American soil.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
There was a Goliath Grouper living under the forts dock that was enormous- more than 6” long and over 500 pounds and a smaller 300 pounder living under the dock on Loggerhead key.

Funny you mention the grouper. My daughter lives in Key West and boated there with a friend last summer. Here she is feeding a grouper at the dock.

https://imgur.com/a/N5yq9sg

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
There was a Goliath Grouper living under the forts dock that was enormous- more than 6” long and over 500 pounds and a smaller 300 pounder living under the dock on Loggerhead key. I’d love to go back.

Six inches long and weighing over 500 pounds? I doubt it.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
There was a Goliath Grouper living under the forts dock that was enormous- more than 6” long and over 500 pounds and a smaller 300 pounder living under the dock on Loggerhead key. I’d love to go back.

Six inches long and weighing over 500 pounds? I doubt it.

flashguy

It was a neutron Goliath. Very dense…

I'm jealous. It's cloudy and 28 degrees here right now. Nearly May.

Oh well, summer just ahead.

Thank you for sharing the pics.

When I was in grade school and Jr. High(60's and 70's), our parents took us out of school for a trip to Key West. the last week of January and the first week of February. It was a 3 day drive from Ann Arbor. First night in Atl., second night in Tampa or West palm Beach, depending on which side of the State we traveled and then the third day into Key West.

My parents had four children and we were not rich. We would all get to pick one excursion, ie... my brother and I chose a head boat off of Kew West. While looking at the other stuff to do, I saw the ad for The Dry Tortugas. That is what I wanted to do. The cost for 6 of us to go there would have drained the money set aside for excursions and not everyone wanted to go.

Ever since then, I have said, one day I will visit there.

In December 2019, we took our Children to Key West for a vacation right before Christmas (December 17-24).

This was my opportunity, I was finally going to get to go to The Dry Tortugas. I was excited, my family was excited, except for my wife who was dreading the boat ride.

We made our reservations ahead of time and all was good.

Apparently mid-December is not exactly known for the best weather.

The day of our trip, we got up early and drove downtown to catch the Ferry.

It was rainy and a little windy, but I did not care.

While waiting for check-in, there was a guy walking through the line, selling dramamine, WTF.

Then one of the Admins came out and announced there will be 6-8 foot seas, with 35-40 mph winds. Anyone not wanting to go, will be issued a refund. Oh Hell no!!!

My wife hates boats and long boat rides as she does get seasick.

So, we defer. No biggie, we can go tomorrow.

Wrong! the boat was booked for the following day, but they agreed to take my name, should they have any cancellations.

I called throughout the day, checking for cancellations.

The next day, I awoke early and began calling, only to get a "we are not open yet recording.

The weather was marginally better, but far from great.

I drove down to the dock/terminal, only to find out there were no cancellations.

Sorry for the long story.

However, one day, I will visit The Dry Tortugas, as it is on my bucket list.

Thanks again for sharing your trip!!

quote:

Originally posted by P-220:
However, one day, I will visit The Dry Tortugas, as it is on my bucket list.

Thanks again for sharing your trip!!

I hope you do, my friend. It was on my bucket list for 50 years before I could make it happen.