Going to Dry Tortugas National Park

What to do in Dry Tortugas National Park

Famed Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon stumbled on these little island gems in 1513 and promptly dubbed them Dry Tortugas for their lack of fresh water and abundance of tortoises. Through the ensuing centuries the islands gained a reputation for concealing pirates and sunken treasure, as well as their wildlife.

The pirates are gone, but the Dry Tortugas are still an unspoiled paradise rich in marine and bird species, making this island outpost popular for birders, scuba divers, and snorkelers. Excellent diving exists year-round with the waters at a warm 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months, and dropping to the low 60s in the winter. The best time to dive these waters is in the spring, summer, and autumn months; when the Gulf Stream eddies in, the visibility is better than the usual 40- to 60-foot range, and the currents...

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