The Dry Tortugas are well worth a visit, but beware that the passage can be rough. The islands are 65 nautical miles west of Key West–a bit closer if you can stop over at Boca Grande Key or the Marquesas, but still a full day’s sail from either of those places or an overnight from anywhere else on Florida’s west coast. Our advice is to examine the weather predictions carefully before venturing out. In our experience, even though the forecast seemed benign (15 kts from the north with scattered showers), we encountered some really nasty weather and seas in mid-November on our passage from Boca Grande Key. The seas are very much affected by the currents that run north and south between the Marquesas and the Dry Tortugas, so check the currents as well as the winds to try and avoid steep waves and crossing seas. Our visit was limited to just one day because of the imminent arrival of another norther with winds that blew at 25 knots for three days.

Once you are there, the Dry Tortugas are a delight. The main anchorage by the national park headquarters is fairly well-protected, the water is clear, and Fort Jefferson is fascinating. Visiting boaters are invited to tag along on the tours given by the excursion boat from Key West. Don’t miss it. It’s the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas with an amazing history. Though there are no facilities and no water or food available at the national park, visiting boaters may use the rest rooms and get food and drink from the visiting ferry from Key West.

When we were there, the waters were roiled up from the previous day’s storm, but we till spotted a massive grouper and a nurse shark parked under our boat in the anchorage. Dinghy fishing was excellent. The beaches were a delight to stroll on, and the wildlife there was abundant and relatively unafraid of humans.