Vacation Day 4: Dry Tortugas

70 miles (113 km) west of Key West, out over the emerald water of the Gulf of Mexico, lies a cluster of seven island called Dry Tortugas. The area is known for its famous bird and sea life, and its legends of pirates and sunken gold. The name "Tortugas"(Turtles) was given by the Spanish Explorer Ponce De Leon in 1513 due to abundance of sea turtles. "Dry" because none of the islands have fresh water.

On the 4th day of the trip, we went for Dry Tortugas ferry which embarked from Key West. We left hotel 6 am in the morning as it took around an hour to get to Key West.


The boat trip included breakfast and lunch. I decided to eat on the deck eventhough it was windy. When the ferry set sail, it was even windier and so .. my breakfast flew. Half way the trip, the sea was choppy. Virteeka and I started to experience bad sea sickness.


Due to the location, it was impossible to get to Dry Tortugas by private boats. Trip to the island was pricey but really worth it. Seaplanes are available at $229/person and 40 minutes travel time. The ferry cost us $154/person with 2.5 hours travel time. Both provides around 3 hours of "island" time.


Our destination was Fort Jefferson, which is located on one of the islands in the Dry Tortugas. Fort Jefferson is a six-sided building constructed of 16 millions handmade red bricks. It is the largest 19th century coastal fort. Begun in 1846, construction continued for 30 years, but never finished. During the Civil War the fort was a military prison for captured deserters. The most famous convicted being Dr. Samuel Mudd, who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth during his escape in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.
Aerial view of Fort Jefferson. Image taken from Wikipedia

We had to take all our belongings from the ferry as they had to clean it. We just put them on the beach. As I stepped out of the ferry, see the crystal clear water and instantly my sea sickness gone!


Inside Fort Jefferson.


View of garden, taken from top floor of Fort Jefferson.



When we walked to outer side of top floor, we could see gulf Mexico. OMG, it was sooooo beautiful. Never have I seen water so blue before. (no Photoshop adjustment, except for image resize)



Looking out through window of a gun room oon second floor.



Moat surrounding the fort.



Some damages occured due to poor foundation. Others due to hurricane.


There was a 1/2 hour guided tour which Jon and I missed because we were excited to take pictures. We really would have walked the whole Fort, but due to limited time, had to give it up.

After touring part of the fort, we went for lunch back on the ferry and proceeded to snorkle straight after. By the time we started snorkeling, it was a little cloudy, looked like it was going to rain. Purchased a disposable underwater camera, had lots of fun taking pictures underwater. It was so difficult to take picture underwater due to the fact that we were wearing those big sized goggles which made it extremely difficult to see thru the "view-finder" of the camera.

Then, all of a sudden, it started to rain. We started to swim ashore. So did everyone else, trying to safeguard their belongings from getting wet. The only shelter were the changing rooms or the ferry, which located some distant from the beach. Upon arriving back at the changing room areas.... and just when it was my turn to use the changing room, the rain stopped... Grr.

The boys went back snorkeling.

Jon lost the disposable underwater camera during the "run for shelter". Only the camera strap was attached to his finger... . He couldn't find it, so there goes all our snorkeling photos.

I really love this place, it is so isolated, surrounded by cyrstal clear blue sea. There was this lady said that she has been to so many places in the world and she's never seen water so clear like this before. Even though the voyage back and forth isn't exactly "smooth sailing", we totally enjoyed the trip. It was a great experience.

Related posts: Day 1 - Miami, Day 2 - Marathon, Day 3 - Key West