How did you go and did you do anything beyond touring the fort?

Snorkeling.

If you travel by private boat fishing in that area is phenomenal.

Good photography opportunities

By the way you can camp there but you have to take everything with you. once the baot leaves your on your own. The park rangers are there and if you aren't properly prepared they wont let you stay.

We took the ferry. Did some snorkeling as well.

We visited Key West a few years ago and thought about visiting the fort but never made it. You can fly there from the main airport:

https://keywestseaplanecharters.com/

There are boats that go there daily. My wife and I camped for three nights on the island. Took out kayaks and paddled to the lighthouse and around the adjacent island. Snorkeling and fishing are fantastic there!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.9mm:
There are boats that go there daily. My wife and I camped for three nights on the island. Took out kayaks and paddled to the lighthouse and around the adjacent island. Snorkeling and fishing are fantastic there!

I've always wanted to do this! How did you get Kayaks there?

Make sure you book well in advance. The ferry window opens approximately 9 months in advance. I wanted to take my wife and son camping there for spring break. I tried 6 months out and all reservations are booked all the way out to 9 months.

They do have a standby list but it is a gamble. You have to be there in person to signup and wait till they announce their open seats. We got there at 0530 and waited till 0650 but did not make it.

It looks like a great trip. I understand there are two tours (long/short) and snorkeling is great. Boat provides food and drink out and back. Camping can maximize time on the island. It is a little expensive but worth it from all accounts.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.9mm:
There are boats that go there daily. My wife and I camped for three nights on the island. Took out kayaks and paddled to the lighthouse and around the adjacent island. Snorkeling and fishing are fantastic there!

I've always wanted to do this! How did you get Kayaks there?

The Captain of the boat agreed to let us bring them on board. May have been a fee but it wasn’t much.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Mr.9mm,

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.9mm:

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.9mm:
There are boats that go there daily. My wife and I camped for three nights on the island. Took out kayaks and paddled to the lighthouse and around the adjacent island. Snorkeling and fishing are fantastic there!

I've always wanted to do this! How did you get Kayaks there?

The Captain of the boat agreed to let us bring them on board. May have been a fee but it wasn’t much.

ETA: This was a few years ago and I can’t find the name of the charter service we used. It was not the Yankee Freedom.

We went a year ago; flew there for an afternoon on a seaplane. It was wonderful. My wife and daughter snorkeled while I walked the entire fort (I am a history nut).

I would love to go back and camp there for a few days.

You may want to check to see the state of the ongoing construction there.

https://www.nps.gov/drto/learn...son-preservation.htm

I have spent a lot of time in the Keys over the years and while I’ve always thought the Fort would be a cool trip I never made the time to go.

I am just planning to do a day trip next month and was thinking I would have the time to tour the Fort and get some snorkeling in. I would like to take the boat out there for a few days but that is not going to be doable.

Does the ferry stay there all day and can you leave stuff on it? Specifically my snorkel gear while I tour the fort instead of hauling everything around.

I will definitely have reservations before I go