snorkeling

Dry Tortugas National Park

Discover a 100 square mile National Park of open water and 7 small islands known as Garden, Loggerhead, Bush, Long, East, Hospital, and Middle. Located 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by boat or plane.

Visit Garden Key and explore Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in the US. Fort Jefferson was built between 1846 and 1875 to protect the lucrative shipping zone to the Gulf of Mexico. A lighthouse named Harbor Light was built in 1825 to warn ships of the navigation hazards caused by the low-lying islands and reefs.

A snorkeling paradise, the crystal blue waters of Dry Tortugas National Park offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the reefs and the marine life that thrive there. Swimming and boating are popular activities. Bring your camera to capture the abundance of birds who live and nest at the park.

Loggerhead Key is rife with wildlife and is named after the often seen loggerhead turtles. Scuba divers will enjoy exploring the Windjammer shipwreck.
Primitive camping is available for those who want to spend a few days, enjoy the spectacular sunsets and stargaze.

Leashed dogs are permitted.

For more information: https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, located in Key West, is a 54-acre state park and has been around since before the Civil War. After 21 years of construction slowed by yellow fever, hurricanes, and shortages of manpower and materials, Fort Zachary Taylor was completed in 1866. The fort played a significant part in the Civil War and the Spanish-American war. To learn more, take a guided tour through the fort or visit during the living history week that includes historical reenactments.

Swim or snorkel at the beautiful beach. There are picnic tables and grills under the trees for your beachside meal. Saunter along the nature trails and discover unique plant life and wildlife. Explore the shaded trails on your bike.

A coral reef surrounded by seagrass beds is waiting to be explored. The reef includes the knobby brain, tube, and starlet coral. Be sure to bring your snorkel. There are equipment rentals in case you forget. There’s a small cafe if you get hungry from all the exploring.

Park amenities include biking, geocaching, picnicking, swimming, birding, hiking, scuba, tours, fishing, paddling, and snorkeling.

Check out the live webcam and enjoy a moment of serenity as you watch the waves flow across the beach. Webcam: http://www.fortzacharytaylor.com/beach.html

For more information: https://www.fortzacharytaylor.com

Photo credit: Aymee Laurain, Dan Kon