The Dry Tortugas National Park & Ft. Jefferson Destinations

Location and Time to Travel 

The Dry Tortugas and Ft Jefferson is located 70 miles west of Key West.  This charter takes about ten hours, one way by sail and eight hours in a motor yacht. This is a minimum of five nights round trip with six nights or more recommended.  There are no stores or marinas along the way, so take your time provisioning appropriately. We recommend that your first night is spent on the yacht at the marina in order for you to have time to unpack and provision before embarking. 

All of our yacht charters check in after 3 PM and check out prior to 11 AM.  Your first possible overnight anchorage on this route is about a 3 hour sail or 2 hours by a motor yacht.  In the winter months we are not able to get to the first anchorage before dark so it’s best to plan on embarking first thing the following morning.

Marquises (Night 2)

The Marquises lies about 30 miles west of Key West and makes a great place to spend your second night on your way to The Dry Tortugas.  The Marquises, also known as “Quick Sands,” a beautiful uninhabited island chain centrally located half way between Key West and The Dry Tortugas.  You will have plenty of white sandy beaches to walk, explore, and swim here.  The fishing is second to none at the Marquises. You can fish while moving or at anchor.  Nothing is better than having your fresh catch on the grill or fry pan for dinner.  Dolphins also enjoy this anchorage as well as you and your boat. 

Take the dinghy to the island from the boat.  The dinghy makes a great vessel for exploring the island chain and encountering dolphins.  Most of all, the Marquises is pure tranquility, rarely do you see another boat on this anchorage.

The Dry Tortugas and Ft Jefferson (Night 3)

Wake up and draw your anchor and embark for the Dry Tortugas.  Enjoy the clear and bright blue waters that the Gulf of Mexico provides.  Arrive at Garden Key in The Dry Tortugas National Park where you will take your third nights anchorage.  Take the tender to and from the dinghy beach to check in with a park ranger, get latest updates and weather reports.  You will not find any cell tours here, so enjoy a vacation away from your phone and distractions.  On this day you will get familiar with Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas National Park rules and regulations.  Stop in and see the museum and gift store.  End your night on top of the beautiful wall that surrounds Ft Jefferson taking in a magical sunset over Loggerhead Key and Lighthouse.

Ft Jefferson (Night 4)

Awake, with nothing but wildlife under and around you.  Bright blue, crystal clear water under you with visibility of tropical fish swimming around you in Garden Key.  On this day, learn about this historic landmark and the influences it has had in the past. Learn about the millions of bricks needed to build this military base. Learn about a famous doctor that was imprisoned for plotting President Lincoln’s assignation and then later discovering a cure for Malaria while there and later pardoned by the President for his efforts.  There is so much more knowledge you will gain on this tour.  This is an unforgettable tour and highly recommended.

Loggerhead Key and The Windjammer Wreck

If time allows in your scheduled, set sail for Loggerhead Key.  This famous Key holds the only lighthouse in the Dry Tortugas National Park.  Furthermore it is a magical island that you can swim from its beaches and even snorkel the famous Windjammer Wreck. The Windjammer is over 150 years old and is the only ship wreck that protrudes out of the water.  This is a magical snorkel as the wreck hosts amazing corals and tropical fish.  Swim and snorkel through the remains of this historic wonder.  Enjoy an evening at the Fort as you have it all to yourself, walk to moat or relax on the yacht with breath taking views. Most of all enjoy the stars as there are too many to count as they light up the sky.

Embark back to the Marquises (Night 5)

If time allows, there are many other beautiful keys and islands in the Dry Tortugas.  If time doesn’t allow you will head back to Key West stopping one more time for your last anchorage at the Marquises, fishing, sailing, relaxing along the way.  Arrive early enough before the fuel dock closes.

Check Out (Night 6)

Day seven, you will check out prior to eleven o’clock.  If you’re fortunate to spend another night at the Dry Tortugas, you will check out on the eighth day.  There is so much to see and do on this yacht charter.

Florida Keys Destinations

Bahia Honda State Park (30nm) (Three-four night sailing minimum)

Just a short distance north east of Little Palm Island is the most beautiful state park of all of Florida called Bahia Honda State Park.  There are water sport rentals here and a gift shop.  This park makes a great anchorage with our prevailing winds from the east. Take the dinghy into the park and spend the day there kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, or relaxing.  Head back to Key West or continue up the Florida Keys.

Marathon (Boot Key Harbor) (49nm) (Four-five night sailing minimum)

The city of Marathon is your first destination with services where you can get out and have access to retail shops, restaurants, and entertainment.  Boot Key Harbor in Marathon offers plenty of anchorages and marinas.  Keep in mind you will pay a transient slip fee at the marinas.  You can snorkel many reefs located close to Marathon.  In addition, Marathon offers great fishing and beautiful back water areas to explore on the yacht’s tender.

Duck Key (65nm) (Five-six night sailing minimum)

Just a short distance north east of Marathon is Duck Key were you will find one of the finest resorts in all the Florida Keys, called Hawks Cay Luxury Resort.  Here you can find anchorage but make sure to go in and out on high tide. Head back to Key West or continue up the Florida Keys if time will allow.

Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL

While on anchor at Duck Key, take a taxi to Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key.  Here you can visit and observe a wide array of marine wildlife including Dolphins.  One of the most popular attractions here is to interact and swim with the Dolphins.  Dolphin and other wildlife shows happen here seven days a week.

Long Key Bight  (72nm)

Long Key Bight makes a great anchorage for any wind other than a north easterly. Head to Islamorada for a north east wind.  Similar to Bahia Honda State Park, Long Key Bight offers amazing water clarity and contrasts in the ocean.  Bring a kayak or explore on the yacht’s tender, the amazing wildlife around you!

Islamorada (82nm) (Six night sailing minimum)

About 17 nm north east of Duck Key is Islamorada not far from Long Key Bight.  Anchorages are limited here with a south or westerly wind.  Islamorada offers services similar to that of Marathon with more of a small town feel without franchises.  Here you can get out and enjoy night life, restaurants, and specialty retail.  Islamorada offers some of the best fishing and coral reefs in all the Florida Keys so make sure to plan time to take in these activities.  Head back to Key West or continue your yacht charter north easterly.

Make sure to visit Indian Key on the way to Islamorada or take a quick sail over from your anchorage in Islamorada.  Indian Key is a deserted 11-acre island with ruins of an 1800s town & reefs for snorkeling, which is accessible by your tender.  Make sure to dive or snorkel the San Pedro Wreck located a mile south of Indian Key Historic State Park. This park holds the distinction as the only underwater archaeological state park in the Florida Park Service.

Key Largo/John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (100nm) (7-8 night sailing minimum)

If time allows, reaching Key Largo on your yacht charter will pay off. Key Largo offers many retail, restaurants, and night life similar to that of Marathon.  Here you will find limited marinas when chartering a wide catamaran with a beam over a 20′.  There are plenty of protected anchorages here. Take in one of the most famous coral reefs in all of the Florida Keys, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.  There are many different reefs to choose from.  One of the more popular is to snorkel the Christ Abyss Statue of Jesus that lies at the bottom of the ocean.  Most people will head back to Key West from here.  If you have more time, heading to Key Biscayne in Miami would make your next unforgettable yacht charter anchorage.