Where in the world is Dry Tortugas National Park, and how did such a beautiful place get such an odd name? Tucked about 70 miles off the coast of Key West, FL, the park is a actually group of islands (actually more like islets, they are so small) known for its sea turtles. Tortugas is Spanish for turtles, and that explains a portion of its odd name.
But what makes it dry, given that Dry Tortugas National Park is surrounded by the waters of the crystal clear blue Caribbean? The name actually comes from the days when the Spanish settled the islands, and they soon found out that there were no fresh water springs available. So the islands came eventually to be called the Dry Tortugas, or “dry turtles.” To this day, as a major tourist attraction, boaters and tour operators must bring in their own water for visitors.
First designated a National Monument by FDR, the Dry Tortugas islets were named a National Park in 1992 at the tail end of George H. W. Bush’s term just before Bill Clinton won the November election. As the home of the unfinished Civil War era Ft Jefferson (a brick structure which came to be used as a prison housing accused conspirators in Lincoln’s assassination), the strip of sandy beaches and colorful reefs is now a destination for the 80,000 tourists who visit each year. All leave in amazement at the intriguing history of the former based originally conceived as a defense against – you guessed it – the (real) pirates of the Caribbean.
Now, visitors to Dry Tortugas Park can enjoy a host of fascinating and leisurely activities, from a historical tour of Fort Jefferson, to a lazy day on the beach, to an astounding snorkeling or scuba diving expedition to witness the spectacularly colorful sea life.
Of course, visitors can only arrive by chartered boat of sea plane. So if you want to book a trip, a Dry Tortugas charter will be necessary. There are some great discounts available on Dry Tortugas charters, Key West hotels, Key West snorkeling, and other recreation packages at Gold Card Key West.