Dry Tortugas National Park
A cluster of small islands seventy miles west of Key West, almost entirely underwater, built around a nineteenth-century fort.
Dry Tortugas is nearly all sea — seven small islands and around a hundred square miles of water, seventy miles west of Key West and reachable only by boat or seaplane.
The dominant feature is Fort Jefferson, a vast unfinished nineteenth-century coastal fortification, one of the largest brick structures in the Americas.
The snorkelling directly off the beach is exceptional, over coral that grows against the fort’s moat wall. Bird migration brings serious birdwatchers in spring.
Day trips are limited and book up far ahead. There is no fresh water, no shop and no shade to speak of, so everything you need comes with you.
What is the best national park for snorkeling?
Snorkeling in a National Park is the best way to see the underwater world. The clear water and variety of fish make it a must-see for any nature lover.
Snorkeling in a National Park is the best way to see the underwater world. The clear water and variety of fish make it a must-see for any nature lover.
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