In grade/high school, my parents took us out of school the last week of January, first week of February. We traveled to Key West from Ann Arbor, in a car. Yes, 4 children and 2 adults in a car for a three trip South. We generally stopped in ATL, WPB or Tampa, depending on which side of FL we traveled down. Third day, we arrived in Key West. We took a head boat a couple of times, but mostly spent the week exploring all key West had to offer, the General Store, LaBrissa Cafe, the Coast Guard station, the turtle corrals, etc...

I always wanted to take the trip to the Dry Tortugas, but it was expensive, too expensive for our family of 6 in the 1970's. Our last trip as a family was in 1978.

Fast forward to 2019. My family is going to Key West the week before Christmas.

Well apparently the Dry Tortugas is still there.

I want to take the trip with our family of 4. It is an all day trip and it still appeals to me.

Has anyone taken the boat trip recently? Recommended or not recommended?

Thank you.

We were there just a few weeks before Irma.

Definitely worth the trip, IMO, especially if you’re going to snorkel or dive. Still - a really neat place on the surface, regardless.

-Rob

Been there about 3 years ago. Very worthwhile particularly if you are snorkeling.

I've always wanted to go, but when we looked into it three years ago, the cost for the 5 of us was going to be similar to chartering a fishing boat. We have our own boat now and are planning to take it there once I get a radio and chartplotter installed.

We did take our boat to Looe Key which is only about 10 miles from Bahia Honda and 5 miles offshore. The snorkeling was great.

The boat is a long trip leave early morning I seem to remember 3 hours there 4 hour stay 3 hour return trip.

Two summers ago we took a float plane . We arrived in an hour had the fort mostly to ourselves till the boat arrived.

Some pics

My wife and I spent three nights camping on the island outside Ft. Jefferson. We basically had the island to ourselves after the tour boats left around 5:00 pm each evening. Awesome trip!

My wife and I, and another couple (snow birds) have taken the big cat out and back three times in the last ten years. Two hours and fifteen minutes out with breakfast, a 45 minutes guided tour (recommended if you are history buff but you must have a hat) part of four hours on the island. I always took the tour then returned to the a/c boat after a walk out to the beaches. Wife and friends snorkeled. Lunch with beer and wine back on the cat then two hours back - GREAT DAYS! Cost was ~$175 per person as I recall. You need to book ahead as it is always booked - our friends book two months in advance. Website is www.drytortugas.com Pricy but really a bucket list thing.

I believe Dr. Mudd, who treated J.W.Booth, was imprisoned there. My memory does not recall if he was really should have been incarcerated or not.

I remember my dad saying he visited the island when he was on a bout tender while in the CG. And I’ve seen it from sea, but never set ashore there.

I recommend it if you get the chance. I like History stuff like that. I went about 14 years ago in my boat, explored the island, and then fished. We slept on the boat for 2 nights and fished for 3 days including the ride to and from Key west. Mike is correct Dr. Mudd was incarcerated there and pardoned for helping with a disease outbreak.

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Originally posted by MikeinNC:
I believe Dr. Mudd, who treated J.W.Booth, was imprisoned there. My memory does not recall if he was really should have been incarcerated or not.

I remember my dad saying he visited the island when he was on a bout tender while in the CG. And I’ve seen it from sea, but never set ashore there.

You are correct ref Dr Mudd. Whilst a prisoner an outbreak of a disease started killing the troops. (I forget what). Mudd diagnosed the cause, treated the sick and saved many lives. Eventually he was pardoned and released for this act. I believe he bought a farm in Maryland? But died of a flue like sickness only a few years later - sad story for a man who was doctoring to an injured man, albeit a criminal...

Absolutely worth the trip. I do want to offer one word of advice. I’m not sure how old your children are but one of the beautiful things about Ft Jefferson is the fact it hasn’t been “idiot proofed” ie there aren’t safety rails etc. We were in the Keys this past week but my wife and I both decided we didn’t want to take our toddler there due to the risk although we absolutely love it there. When he’s older I want to camp there a couple of nights. Enjoy your trip! Hit up Bahia Honda state park for a nice beach. Blue Heaven has awesome food. If you like history visit Truman’s little White House.

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Originally posted by GA Gator:

Looks like Ft. Pickens at Pensacola Beach