Sun, Service, and Snorkeling the Dry Tortugas, Florida

The Trip

Dry Tortugas National Park, with its imposing pre-Civil War brick fortress, is a 100 square mile park protecting unique marine environments and seven small islands.  It is situated 70 miles west of Key West and about 100 miles north of Havana, Cuba.

Visited by Ponce de Leon in 1513, they were given the name Las Tortugas, Spanish for turtles, due to the large numbers of sea turtles found in the waters and nesting on these remote sand islands. The current name of “Dry” Tortugas was later given to the islands to indicate to mariners that they lacked fresh water. 

We will be camping and working on Garden Key, an island of about 14 acres that is dominated by historic Fort Jefferson, one of the largest forts the U.S. ever built. It is estimated that over 16 million bricks, all shipped from long distances, went into the construction of the hexagonal fort and its moat, shaped to utilize nearly all of the island’s surface.

Fort Jefferson has a fascinating history and by staying a week on the island we will have plenty of time to delve into it.  It has been a remote army outpost, a military prison, an important refueling and repair stop, and now a very unique national park.  While serving as a Civil War-era prison, mostly for Union deserters, its most famous inmate was Dr. Samuel Mudd, the physician who set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth after he assassinated President Lincoln.

The ferry has limited space, but they usually allow us to bring two to three kayaks which we will share. 

Please note that participants who were canceled on the 2016 Dry Tortugas Service trip have first refusal for the upcoming 2017 service trip. 

The Project

We will support the Dry Tortugas National Park personnel on an assortment of projects. They may include: clearing debris from the beaches and park grounds, painting, moving materials, and boat cleaning. 

Day 1: At 7 a.m., meet the ferry for transport to Fort Jefferson. It is best to arrive in Key West, or a nearby key, the night before. Parking can be purchased by the month at the city parking garage. (The rates change. As of this writing it is cheaper to pay for the month rather than for eight days.) The garage is about a block from the departure point. The exciting and comfortable ride on this Fast Cat Ferry takes about two and a half hours.

After arrival and lunch, we will set up base camp and settle into our island home.

Days 2-7: We will continue a volunteer tradition of helping to maintain this one-of-a-kind historical landmark and to ensure that native birds, reptiles, and marine life are preserved in this unique coral reef habitat.

The park personnel/rangers will have different projects for us each day. Generally expect to be working in the morning, taking off in the heat of the day, and finishing as the evening approaches.

These are work and play days! Enjoy the Fort, snorkel, kayak, swim, take pictures, and have fun.

The ferry has limited space so three kayaks are all we can take. In the past we have borrowed some of the ranger’s kayaks as well.

Getting There

It is best to fly into Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and take the Keys Shuttle or a bus to Key West. If you decide to drive, please arrange to carpool with other participants. The ferry departs at 8 a.m. Plan on being at the ferry terminal by 6:45 a.m. as you will need extra time to get your camping gear on board. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be camping on Garden Key, outside the fort on an open, grassy field. There are composting toilets for campers use, and we will use the toilets on the ferry when it is docked. There are no other facilities. Since we have to bring all of our fresh water with us from Key West, saltwater rinses are recommended for bathing.

You will need a tent, a bedroll and eating utensils. A complete list of recommended clothing and gear will be provided to all participants.

All meals will be prepared at our camping location. We eat amazingly well given the challenge of provisioning a group on a warm island with no resupply! Participants are expected to help with cleanup.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is easy to moderate. The main concern is sun and the heat of the day. Temperatures rarely drop below 70, and are more often in the mid to high 80’s. A sun hat and light comfortable clothes are essential. Participants need to be comfortable with “going island,” which includes minimal fresh water bathing or hair washing. Consider no shampooing, and “bathing” via a refreshing swim several times each day!  The fresh water we bring with us will be for drinking and cooking only.

All participants are expected to have a level of fitness that allows them to be on their feet working for several hours at a time, perhaps in full sun. The ability to walk over uneven surfaces, climb ladders and stairs, and lift materials and tools is needed. It is great when participants have “handyman” skills, but suitable tasks can be found for all willing hands.

Equipment and Clothing

This is a base camp and you will need a tent and light sleeping system. A complete list of recommended equipment will be provided to every participant.

References

• Staniford, Les, Last Train to Paradise.
• Reed, Thomas, America’s Fortress: A History of Fort Jefferson.
• Barr, Nevada, Flashback.
• Larson, Gary, There is a Hair in My Dirt.
• The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936 movie directed by John Ford)

Conservation

Our very own precious reef is stressed to its limit. This is the third-largest coral reef in the world, and the 100-square-mile marine sanctuary that centers on Garden Key has provided encouraging recovery results. We will discuss the stewardship required and why the region is in jeopardy. We will also discuss how the sanctuary has revealed that stewardship and “no take” restrictions have blossomed into what appears to be a sustainable recovery.

The Dry Tortugas National Park is 99% underwater! With only 104 land acres, it is vital that we preserve it in order to understand the importance and dependence that it provides for many species, including a variety of endangered sea turtles. Garden Key is an important resting stop for migrating birds, with observers from all over the world making special effort to visit here, especially in the months of April and May. Bring your binoculars!

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Dry Tortugas National Park.