Tour stop
Dry Tortugas National Park Tour
About The Tour
Take Shaka Guide along on your unforgettable journey from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park—one of America’s most remote national parks! Climb aboard the Yankee Freedom, and listen to fascinating stories about the origins of Dry Tortugas. When you get to the island, explore the fascinating history, architecture, and natural beauty of Fort Jefferson and Garden Key. It’s a full-day adventure filled with history, snorkeling, and stunning island views—guided every step of the way.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Listen to fascinating, immersive stories about the ecological and maritime history of Dry Tortugas
• Explore Garden Key, home to beaches, crystal-clear water, and historic ruins
• Walk through Fort Jefferson, one of the largest brick forts ever built
• Stop at the Visitor Center to learn the history of Dry Tortugas
• Swim at sandy beaches with clear water perfect for snorkeling and relaxing
PLEASE NOTE: This tour DOES NOT include a ticket or reservation for the Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas. Tickets for the Yankee Freedom Ferry must be purchased on its website.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Listen to fascinating, immersive stories about the ecological and maritime history of Dry Tortugas
• Explore Garden Key, home to beaches, crystal-clear water, and historic ruins
• Walk through Fort Jefferson, one of the largest brick forts ever built
• Stop at the Visitor Center to learn the history of Dry Tortugas
• Swim at sandy beaches with clear water perfect for snorkeling and relaxing
PLEASE NOTE: This tour DOES NOT include a ticket or reservation for the Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas. Tickets for the Yankee Freedom Ferry must be purchased on its website.
About the tour
Take Shaka Guide along on your unforgettable journey from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park—one of America’s most remote national parks! Climb aboard the Yankee Freedom, and listen to fascinating stories about the origins of Dry Tortugas. When you get to the island, explore the fascinating history, architecture, and natural beauty of Fort Jefferson and Garden Key. It’s a full-day adventure filled with history, snorkeling, and stunning island views—guided every step of the way.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Listen to fascinating, immersive stories about the ecological and maritime history of Dry Tortugas
• Explore Garden Key, home to beaches, crystal-clear water, and historic ruins
• Walk through Fort Jefferson, one of the largest brick forts ever built
• Stop at the Visitor Center to learn the history of Dry Tortugas
• Swim at sandy beaches with clear water perfect for snorkeling and relaxing
PLEASE NOTE: This tour DOES NOT include a ticket or reservation for the Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas. Tickets for the Yankee Freedom Ferry must be purchased on its website.
Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!
• Listen to fascinating, immersive stories about the ecological and maritime history of Dry Tortugas
• Explore Garden Key, home to beaches, crystal-clear water, and historic ruins
• Walk through Fort Jefferson, one of the largest brick forts ever built
• Stop at the Visitor Center to learn the history of Dry Tortugas
• Swim at sandy beaches with clear water perfect for snorkeling and relaxing
PLEASE NOTE: This tour DOES NOT include a ticket or reservation for the Yankee Freedom Ferry to Dry Tortugas. Tickets for the Yankee Freedom Ferry must be purchased on its website.
STARTING POINTS
-Yankee Freedom Ferry, 100 Grinnell Street, Key West, FL
RECOMMENDED START TIME: 8am
OUR SHAKA PROMISE
• Reliable customer support
• Tours crafted by real people
• Satisfaction guaranteed
• Tours never expire
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Now Playing
1. Welcome to the Dry Tortugas National Park Tour Preview
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Now Playing
2. Building Fort Jefferson
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05:07
Now Playing
3. Dry Tortugas Geology 101
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05:27
Now Playing
4. The Golden Age of Piracy
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05:46
Dry Tortugas National Park Tour Map
Explore Tour Map
Dry Tortugas National Park Tour Stops
Things to do on the Tour Include:
Tour stop
Key West Ferry Terminal
Tour stop
Fort Jefferson
Tour stop
Garden Key Lighthouse
Tour stop
Bush Key
Tour stop
Moat Wall
Tour stop
North Swim Beach
Tour stop
South Swim Beach
Meet the Creators
Jess Conaway
Narrator & Writer
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Creators behind the Dry Tortugas National Park Tour
Jess Conaway
Narrator & Writer
I’ll be your guide on this tour. Press play to hear a sneak peek of the stories waiting for you as you browse.
Rayne Warne
Writer & Managing Editor
Favorite Quote:
"Stories are machines inhabited by a god." - Bonnie Friedman
Matt Caracciolo
Writer & Editor
Favorite Quote:
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." --J.R.R. Tolkien
Myra Morehart
Producer
Favorite Quote:
"The man who's too afraid to die is too afraid to live." - Clark Gable as Gay Langland in The Misfits.
Purchase Options
1.
Dry Tortugas National Park Tour
$ 12.99
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Gift the joy of travel! During checkout, select "Gift this Purchase" to schedule your delivery and write your personalized message.
Don't worry - they'll get a gift receipt, not the bill. No pricing information included.
Dry Tortugas National Park Tour FAQS
Information
Conditions can change fast. Please check these links for closures, alerts, and local conditions before your trip. Stay informed so you can ensure a smooth ride.
Important Update!
Hi Shaka Guiders,
Fort Jefferson and Garden Key still offer a memorable island visit, with fort history, coastal views and stories around every corner. Plan roughly 3–4 hours on the island for the open walking-tour stops and breaks. Your ferry journey and check-in are additional, making a typical ferry visit a full-day outing.
Hurricane damage has closed sections of the moat wall while repairs continue. Skip the barriers at that stop; a complete walk around the fort is unavailable. You can spend that time exploring the open fort and island areas instead.
Check official Dry Tortugas conditions and alerts while planning and again before departure, and confirm sailing times with your operator. Bring the supplies your trip requires, then enjoy the chance to slow down somewhere extraordinary. We’ll help bring its history to life!
Jess
Dry Tortugas narrator & writer
Inclusions/Exclusions
Inclusions:
- More than a map and directions — a guided tour
- Audio storytelling
- Music and immersive sound to upgrade your experience
- Human-created, professionally narrated
- Pre-planned route
- Itinerary mapped out with must-see stops
- Expert travel tips
- Offline access – works without data or wifi
- Flexible, self-paced experience
- Lifetime access (tours never expire)
- Reliable customer support
Exclusions:
- Meals
- Attraction admission or entrance fees
- Live tour guide or in-person services
- Trip planning or booking services
- Fully customizable navigation like Google or Apple Maps
- On-demand route planning or custom directions
- Open-ended navigation tools
Tour FAQs
1. Where does the Dry Tortugas Tour go?
This tour has 10 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops, and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, Here’s What You Need To Know Before You Go
2. What should I pack for the Dry Tortugas Tour?
Phone charger, possibly a wireless charger (the GPS part of the app takes a lot of battery power)
Clothing light enough to layer (shorts, sweats, jackets)
Swimsuits and towels
Hat, visor, or ball cap
Sturdy sandals or comfortable, light shoes
Reef-safe Sunscreen (year-round)
Mosquito repellent (especially in the summer months)
Earbuds or headphones
Cash and credit cards (some South Florida businesses only take one or the other)
Clothing light enough to layer (shorts, sweats, jackets)
Swimsuits and towels
Hat, visor, or ball cap
Sturdy sandals or comfortable, light shoes
Reef-safe Sunscreen (year-round)
Mosquito repellent (especially in the summer months)
Earbuds or headphones
Cash and credit cards (some South Florida businesses only take one or the other)
3. What should I budget for the Dry Tortugas Tour?
Yankee Freedom Ferry: Varies; from $200 per ticket: reservations needed far in advance. Seating is limited
Camping at Dry Tortugas is available but reservations must be made in advance
Camping at Dry Tortugas is available but reservations must be made in advance
4. What are the park hours for the Dry Tortugas Tour?
The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.
Yankee Freedom Ferry: Daily: 7 AM to 5:30 PM
Boat boards at 7:30 AM
Arrives at DTNP at 10:30 AM
Leaves DTNP at 3 PM
Arrives at Key West at 5:30 PM
Key West Ferry Terminal: 7 AM to 5:30 PM
Bush Key: Seasonally; sunrise to sunset
Moat Wall: Closed for repairs through 2026
Visitor Center: Open daily, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
Yankee Freedom Ferry: Daily: 7 AM to 5:30 PM
Boat boards at 7:30 AM
Arrives at DTNP at 10:30 AM
Leaves DTNP at 3 PM
Arrives at Key West at 5:30 PM
Key West Ferry Terminal: 7 AM to 5:30 PM
Bush Key: Seasonally; sunrise to sunset
Moat Wall: Closed for repairs through 2026
Visitor Center: Open daily, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM
5. Can I take the Dry Tortugas Tour in the opposite direction?
There are 10 tracks that can be played at any time while on the ferry.
Once at the park, the 9-track walking tour follows the inside perimeter of Fort Jefferson in a counter-clockwise position.
Once at the park, the 9-track walking tour follows the inside perimeter of Fort Jefferson in a counter-clockwise position.
6. Can I join the Dry Tortugas Tour along the route?
No, you cannot join the Dry Tortugas Tour along the route. You can only access the park via the Yankee Freedom Ferry or a private seaplane departing from Key West.
7. How is Shaka Guide Different from Other Navigation Apps?
Shaka Guide isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s like having a local tour guide in your pocket.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
As you walk, the app shares stories, history, local insights, and directions based on where you are. We’ve planned the route for you, but you can still explore at your own pace, pause the tour, skip stops, or spend more time wherever you like.
It’s not just about getting there—it’s about discovering the stories behind the places you’re visiting.
8. Other Questions? Contact us!
Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.
What is an Audio Tour Guide?
Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here’s how it works:
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.
GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk. Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
The app works offline so even with spotty service we’ll get you where you need to go.
Pretty cool huh? We think so! Check out our tours and let’s explore together.