Florida Keys and Epic Dry Tortugas National Park Adventure
The morning was a little rough, I’m not going to lie about this. One eye, two eyes, then the “OMG, WHERE DID YOU GO LAST NIGHT” from Peggy.
Sister side note (ssn) – I had a momentary panic that she hadn’t come back the night before and I failed to notice. Big sister badge has been taken away.
Big Plans Today
If you missed yesterday, find it here Florida Keys – Day 2. This was our Dry Tortugas (it means turtle, I learned that at the Turtle Rescue Hospital) National Park excurion. This was high on Peggy’s gotta see, gotta do list. It is in the top 5 of the least visited National Parks in the country. It is an island 67 miles off Key West.
This was an early morning start for a vacation, but with big, big plans, we gotsta get on it. And where is my charger, anyway? We had to be at the airport by 7:30 am, and I’d pretend that is early, but we are 6 am’ers most days anyway. This was just a little slow go from the mango vodka over-indulgences the night before. But…this is where the epicness kicks in!
Sea Plane Adventure
Dry Tortugas National Park is only accessible by either a ferry, chartered boat or a seaplane. And ferries are for peasants, clearly. Actually, the deal was that the ferry is a 2-hour boat ride, you are there for 4 hours, then 2 hours back. That’s 8 hours out of our already too-short vacation and that didn’t seem like a good use of our time! The seaplane was spendy AF, but 45 min down there, 2 hours on the island and 45 min back is vacation time value! And my big sister is all about time management over funds management. She kicked in for her own birthday present and funded the flight. This turned out to be one of the bestest decisions ever.
We flew out at 8 am from Key West Seaplane Adventures with pilot John. There were only 10 people on the plane, and a copilot seat was available. “Does anyone want to sit up here?” John asked so innocently. And little did he or I know how fast Peggy could move in that little plane.
ssn – to be fair, nobody jumped on that offer AND it was my birthday so who am I to let it pass by! Co-piloting (not sure John (or the FAA) would consider me that, haha) was seriously the best thing I’ve ever done!
An amazing plane ride over the ocean, fabulous running commentary from our pilot, slight views of oceanic creatures.
ssn – we flew over shipwrecks, saw the Marquesas (reference Southern Cross, one of our top 5 songs EVER) and saw a hammerhead shark!
Dry Tortugas National Park
And in 45 short minutes, we land on the ocean and glide into The Dry Tortugas, which houses Fort Jefferson.
Fort Jefferson
This old army fort was fascinating as we got to stroll through the grounds, with only the ten of us from the seaplane. It was an amazing experience and I loved it way more than I thought I would when I was informed we were going to see an old army fort.
Snorkeling at Dry Tortugas
We followed this up with snorkeling with the gear provided by the seaplane company. Now, your girl is a little terrified of open water, and being eaten by sharks, and I firmly believe that very soon we are going to see a horror movie of a small national park terrorized by a genetically enhanced shark (or sharktapus – yes, that’s a thing); but there I was, nonetheless, snorkeling for only the second time in my life. It was pretty fabulous, not another soul in sight (in Bali, our snorkeling consisted of being surrounded by 100
other tourists)
ssn – I think we have firmly established the shark-phobia by this point. LOL.
The Sea Plane to Dry Tortugas NP was the Best Decision Ever!
Just before 11 am we go change into dry clothes and are headed to the seaplane for our return flight, and then we see it: The Ferry. Packed to the gills with people looking like that large tourist man with the ice cream from Lilo and Stitch (Google it). And the island is descended upon by no less than 200 people. And this is why I can not recommend the seaplane option enough: we had 2 hours on this island with only the 10 of us and a handful of campers. With a grateful heart, we boarded the plane and hopped on back to Key West.
Back to Key West
Back and famished, we head back to our little AirBnB and default to Google for recommendations. With my desire to eat shrimp until I was sick of looking at it (spoiler alert: it didn’t happen), we ended up at DJ’s Clam Shack. Right on Duval street, it definitely fits the category of a “shack”. Mind blowingly good seafood. I ordered the fried shrimp and chips, Peggy got the clam strips, plus we had to split the lobster roll, because duh, lobster roll. It was all fresh, well cooked, and crazy good.
Hemingway’s House
It was hard to believe we started this day hungover. We cruised by Hemingway’s house, and the lighthouse, did a little strolling around the Duval Street area touristy parts, bought the kids some souvenirs, and hit up the local shops.
Mallory Square
By early evening, we hit up Mallory Square in preparation for sunset. We got there about an hour early so secure a good seat and just chilled at the water as local buskers and street artists kept us entertained. And then the show started. Oh my, now I get it, now I completely get the hype of Mallory Square. It was gorgeous, an incredible display of Mother Nature just showing off. I think my favorite part was that as the last inkling of the sun lowered over the horizon, people started cheering; and my heart grew
three sizes that day.
ssn – Mallory Square is everything quintessentially Key West. This cannot be said enough…People, island music, incredible sunsets and just plain palpable happiness.
Dinner in Key West
Even though we were heading for dinner, we stopped at this cute couple’s stand for fresh guacamole, made to order right there. DELICIOUS. We settled on sushi for dinner, and ended up at the sushi bar at MisoHappy. With a name like that, how do you not go there? I was so happy! The sushi chef and his crew did an amazing job; the entire staff so kind, and attentive. On our next trip, I am down for that Lobster Pad Thai, but on this meal we stuck with just the sushi rolls.
We headed back to our “home” to prepare for an early morning start the next day (with a purpose I will discuss in the Day 4 post). Sad that it was our last night in Key West but we crashed pretty hard, and happy.
37 Comments
Bonnie
Can’t wait to see it in person.
Karen
Sweet! Happy belated birthday. We went to key West last year and loved it. Didn’t make it to the Tortuga park, but it totally is on my bucket list.
After reading your post I would want to take the plane for sure.
Karen | https://OurCarpeDiem.com
Big Sister
Thanks Karen! It’s definitely bucket list worthy, you will love it!
Lee Anne
We did Key West last summer and I am already planning a trip back for Dry Tortugas. I can’t decide between the boat and a seaplane!
Big Sister
Hi Lee Anne! I can’t recommend the sea plane enough! Unless you are taking the family, which would be very spendy! They have half and full-day options but the fantastic part really is the hours you get before and after the ferry crowds invade.
Kathleen Anderson
This looks incredible! Beautiful, fascinating and delicious. You have inspired me to add it to the bucket list. Thanks for the tour!!
Big Sister
I’m going to insist that I come with you!! xoxo
Jaclyn
Wow. It looks like you had a great time! Beautiful photos! And all the food looks delicious.
Big Sister
Thank you so much, it was a great trip! 🙂
Kiara
This just makes me excited for when summer gets here. Plus, loved the the sister side notes!
Big Sister
Right? Summer needs to hurry! Thank you for reading 🙂
Carey
I love your adventure in Key West. We were planning a family vacation to the Key but it will be postponed for now. The fort looks like to much fun and the food looks delicious!
Big Sister
Thank you so much! I hope you get to reschedule your trip, it really is amazing!
Angelina
Beautiful pictures! That food looks amazing. I love everything about Florida especially the keys. I have not made it to see the Dry Tortugas yet but hopefully, I will soon.
Big Sister
Thank you for reading! Definitely check out the Dry Tortugas when you get a chance! Stay healthy out there!
Karen
Such a great place for a birthday celebration! I especially liked that you showed pictures of the food you enjoyed there as well. I’ve been to the Keys a few times and have never been disappointed. Always beautiful and fun.
Big Sister
Thank you! It was so much fun, I can see it being a yearly destination!
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Tiffany Pence
Great birthday gift! You’ve convinced me….no matter the price, I will opt for the seaplane next time I’m in the Keys and able to go to the Dry Tortugas. I hate crowds, and having the island (practically) to yourselves for 2 hours is priceless! Plus you had time to get back to the “city” for some excellent food!
Big Sister
I love that we are on the same page!! It’s the only way to go 🙂
Thanks so much for reading!
Lannie
I haven’t spent too much time in Florida but I know that if I were down in the keys, I’d take a plane to dry tortugas too! Plus that lobster roll 🤩🤩
Big Sister
It was definitely an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. I love the food & memories connection, that lobster roll was a highlight!
Chalk and cheese travels
That water colour is just stunning, so much fun to be up on the plane would love to see all that.
And that sunset washed down with Lobster rolls when can we go 😀
Big Sister
I’ve been looking at flights to go back! It just gets into your soul! Thanks so much for reading 🙂
Robin Buck
We have plans to be in Key West next February, so your post was very informative. Dry Tortugas is on our list and I was thinking about the seaplane rather than the boat (because I too am shark phobic and also prone to seasickness!). Your photos are beautiful!
Missy
Mango vodka, yum!
Linda M Purcell
Love and Keys and Key West. I’ve always wanted to go to the Dry Tortugas. You gave me even more reasons.
Board in the World
The Florida Keys have been on our list forever and we still haven’t been. Looks like such a great time and I’ve heard a lot of good things from friends.
Denise
That looks like an amazing day! Love your pictures. I hope to make it there in the future. I’ve never been to Florida so it would be definitely something I will add into the trip.
Colleen
Camping on Dry Tortugas is on my bucket list. I’ve always heard staying the night is a great way to see the island without a ton of people. I’m not sure I’d be brave enough for the sea plane excursion!
Angie
Looks like a super fab time. I now know Kev and I will want to go there ASAP. And take the seaplane for sure.
My mouth is now watering….clam strips! It’s been so long.
Mandee
That sounds like so much fun! I really want to go down to the Florida Keys. I’ll definitely take into consideration your seaplane tip because that sounds amazing.
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Mitch
What a fantastic trip! The seaplane was definitely the finest way to travel and gave you specatular views. The seafood at Key West looked amazing as well.
Paul (Paul Passing Through)
I am SO jealous you got to go to Dry Tortugas NP. When we were in Key West, we screwed up and waited too long to get ferry tickets so they were sold out (and we didn’t have the funds for the seaplane at the time). I wanted to see it and tick off another NP; now who knows when I’ll get a chance again! Also, DJ’s is amazing!
Hannah
I’ve always wanted to visit Hemingway’s House! Thanks for the tip on the sea plane, sounds like it’s definitely a good idea over the ferry!