Visitors are welcome to travel to Dry Tortugas National Park on their private boats, though rules do apply. First off, there is a park entrance fee for those 16 and older, and this covers a stay at the park for seven consecutive days. Anyone entering the park, other than those who are passing through without stopping, is subject to the fee. Tickets can either be purchased online in advance at Recreation.gov or at Garden Key where payment is made at the self-pay kiosk located on the main boat dock. Payment at Garden Key is in cash or check only, and do not expect change. Get the current entrance fee on the National Park Services official Fees and Passes web page for Dry Tortugas National Park.
In addition to the park entrance fee, a free boat permit is required for all recreational vessels including kayaks, canoes, dinghies, vessels operating under a Commercial Use Authorization, and commercial fishing vessels. Vessels greater than 50 meters are required to have a Special Use Authorization in addition to the boat permit. No permit is required for boats that are passing through the park without stopping. Permits can only be obtained on Garden Key at the dock house.
For those coming ashore to get boat permits, pay entrance fees, or to unload gear, there are six slips where boats may dock temporarily for up to two hours on a first come, first served basis. The slips are located to the left of the ferry dock (do not use the ferry dock, as this is for the Yankee Freedom Ferry). The slips are closed from sunset to sunrise.
Boaters who are staying for the entire day or overnight must anchor within one nautical mile of Garden Key and can drop anchor only on sandy bottoms, not on coral reefs. A dinghy or other small boat is needed to reach the island. There is a dinghy beach located next to the boat slips.
The majority of restrictions on boating (and fishing) are within the park’s Research Natural Area (RNA). For starters, there is no dropping anchor within the RNA. Instead, boaters must use mooring buoys, of which there are seven in the park located at the most popular spots. There is a two-hour limit on mooring your boat at any one buoy. If you plan to use these buoys, pick up a Boat Permits and Mooring Buoys brochure from a Ranger when you come ashore to pay your park fee or get your boat permit.
Anchoring is permitted within one mile of Garden Key because this area is excluded from the RNA. Those staying over night must return and anchor within this 1-mile radius.
If visiting Loggerhead Key, the dock is for government vessels only. Two mooring buoys are located offshore for private boat use. To come ashore, land your small boat, dinghy, or kayak on the dinghy beach on the east side of the dock.
For navigation, be sure to obtain NOAA nautical charts 11438 and 11434.
For more information, visit the official National Park Service Boating web page for Dry Tortugas National Park.
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Last updated on January 19, 2024