Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions
About Going to the Dry Tortugas 305-619-3617

Q: How long does it take to get the Park (or back)?
A: About 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Q: How long do we stay on the island?
A: 4.5 hours

Q: What is there to do out there?
A: Primarily, people come to see and learn about historic Fort Jefferson and to go snorkeling (which is some of the best in the US!) We offer a 45 minute guided tour of the Fort and there is terrific bird watching, swimming, sunbathing, and a small museum and gift shop. In addition, the moat walk provides and interesting nature path with many specifies of coral and fish to observe.

Q: Are the any restaurants?
A: No. We provide breakfast and lunch on board with accompanying beverages (coffee, tea, and juices for breakfast and sodas and water for lunch). Free drinking water is available all day long. Additional items such as bottled water, sodas, juices, and hot food items are available for purchase all day long.

Q: Can I bring a cooler?
A: Yes, but please limit the size to a 6-12 pack capacity. We ask the you do not bring glass containers, and due to state laws, you are not permitted to drink from your cooler while on-board.

Q: Do you have a bar?
A: Yes, we have a full cash bar. It is in the main salon and is open during the return trip to Key West. You may purchase beer, wine, mixed and frozen drinks from the galley on the return trip.

Q: What are the bar and galley prices like?
A; Very reasonable. Better than most any back in Key West.

Q; What are Breakfast and lunch menus like?
A: Breakfast includes coffee, tea, juice, milk, fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs, bagels, and a selection of hot and cold cereals. Lunch includes a build-your-own sandwich bar with deli meats, cheeses, bread, salads, sodas, water, chips, cookies, and fruit.

Q: May I bring my own snorkel gear?
A: Yes, or we provide high quality gear for our passenger's use.

Q: Is the goat air-conditioned?
A: Yes, the main salon and the enclosed upper deck seating is air-conditioned. We do have outside seating on the upper deck.

Q: Is there anything to do on the boat?
A: Most people spend their time enjoying the scenery of the ocean, the uninhabited islands, and the marine animals such as turtles and dolphins that can often be seen in the water. Our onboard naturalist provides an orientation talk on the Dry Tortugas and shows a program on the coral and fish life on the video system in the main salon. This occurs on the way to the Park and provides commentary on the area you are cruising through during the return trip to Key West. There are plenty of tables inside and on the upper deck at which to sit, socialize, play games, read, and relax.
Q: What happens in bad weather?
A: We sail rain or shine. If the winds are very strong we sometimes need to cancel a trip, but this is very rare. The vessel is a 100' long catamaran built for ocean cruising and is very stable even in rough conditions.

Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: Reservations for day trips must be canceled or changed with the agent at (305-619-3618) by 3pm the day before the scheduled departure or the entire fare will be charged the morning of departure. Camping reservations require 48 hour cancellation. (e.g. Campers departing at 8am on a Wednesday must cancel by 8am on Monday.) If we are required to cancel due to weather we will do our best to accommodate rescheduling.

Q: How far in advance do I need to book?
A: It varies. For most of the year we fill to maximum capacity every day, so it is best to make reservations as soon as you know you want to go. We are restricted to the number of campers we may transport back and forth per day. It is very important to make camping reservations extra early.

http://www.dry-tortugas-ferry.com/

Q: How many people can you take?
A: Our vessel is rated to carry 250 persons but the National Park Service limits us to 149 per day.

Q: Is the boat safe.
A: Yes. We are certified by the Coast Guard and undergo two thorough inspections by them every year.

Q: Will I get sick?
A: Everyone reacts differently to being on the ocean. You will be sailing on an ocean catamaran which provides a very stable ride even when there are large waves. However, if you have been prnoe to motion sickness before, you may want to take some Dramamine, Triptone, or Bonine before you depart.

Q: What is the weather forecast?
A: The weather varies from day to day. Please call us (305) 619-3618 for a current forecast.

Q: Where is the boat dock?
A: We are docked in the Key West bight. The ticket office where you check in is in front of the Turtle Kraals Restaurant. The Half Shell Raw Bar is next door. The booth and dock are at the end of Margaret Street on the Gulf (northwest) side of the Island.

Q: How do I get there from Route 1?
A: If you are coming on to the island of Key West, bear right onto North Roosevelt Blvd/US1 Downtown. After 2.3 miles you will approach a stop light at Palm Avenue. (You will see docks and boats to your right.) Turn right onto Palm Avenue. Continue on Palm through three stoplights. The next street past the third light is Margaret. Turn right, go to the end, check in is on your left.

Q: What time should I be there?
A: Campers should arrive at the dock by 6:30am to load their gear on the boat. The ticket window opens at 7am for check-in. We recommend you arrive as early as possible to shorten your check-in wait and ensure we depart on-time at 8am. The vessel does not wait for late comers. Boarding will begin at approximately 7:30am and the breakfast buffet will be ready. Reserved seats will be released to stand-by passengers at 7:50am so you must check in by then.

Q: Is there a bathroom on board?
A: Yes, there are three. Tow of them are handicap accessible. There are also freshwater rinses on the boat and changing rooms at the Park.

Q: Will my cell phone work at the Park?
A: No. The Park is beyond range of any current cell phone towers. The Park Service maintains a satellite phone for emergency purposes, but you will not be able to make calls during your visit.
http://www.dry-tortugas-ferry.com/

DAY TRIP RATES:

Adults (17 to 61) - $160 + $5 park fee = $165
Seniors (62+) / Students (with student ID) / Military (with Military ID) - $150 +$5 park fee = $155
Children (4 to 16) = $120 + $0 park fee = $120
Infants (up to 3 years) – No Charge – all passengers count regardless of age. Please let us know if there are no-charge infants at the time of booking.

A fuel surcharge of $4.00 is added to all tickets.

RESERVATON PROCEDURES

1. Determine the date your party wants to travel
2. Call the ticket booth at 305-619-3617 to determine if space is available.
3. Geive us your local contact number – cell phone is best – in case of weather issue.
4. Give the ticket agent the travel date, name of party, number of adults/children, credit card information and contact number as well as your name (first and last) and booth location or company
5. Before giving the passengers their tickets be sure to remind them of the cancellation policy)

CAMPING QUESTIONS – Please note that there is a lot of information on camping at the Park available on our website www.yankeefreedom.com and we have printed handouts of that information available at the ticket booth.

Q: How much gear can we take?
A: You are limited to 60lbs per person, not including water/ice

Q: Can we bring a camp stove?
A: No. The campsites include grills. You may bring self-lighting charcoal or sterno but not lighter fluids or other flammable liquids (USCG Regulations).

Q: Is there water available?
A: No. You must bring all the water you plan to consume or use during your stay. It is recommended that you bring at least 1 gallon per person per day.

Q: Are the bugs bad?
A: No. The lack of fresh water means that egg laying is at a minimum. You will see the occasional mosquito or sand flea. Skintastic or Off will be sufficient protection.

Q: What happens in an emergency?
A: The park rangers live on the island and will assist in an emergency. They have communication links with the Coast Guard and Key West. In the case of approaching bad weather the rangers will let you know what to do.
WHAT THE PASSENGER'S CAN AND CAN NOT BRING

They can bring:
Self-lighting charcoal or sterno
Folding chairs, baby carriages, strollers
Fishing poles, (Must have a license beforehand)
Kites
Kayaks ($20 fee)

They cannot bring:
Scuba tanks, spear guns, or metal detectors
Propane tanks, gasoline, or any device that uses flammable or explosive fuel (USCG regulations.)

http://www.dry-tortugas-ferry.com/

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