Has anyone been to the Dry Tortugas? My family (Dad, Two older brothers my self and two undecided)are going to cruise from marathon to the Dry Tortugas in late July. Does anyone have anything to say about the trip? Sites off the beaten heading, places where seafood was abundant...etc. r.w.landau
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Ed Wegman
Tortugas
You will really enjoy the trip. The fort is interesting and the waters are excellent for snorklening. Lobsters are protected, so you can see big ones. This is really a unique place.
You will really enjoy the trip. The fort is interesting and the waters are excellent for snorklening. Lobsters are protected, so you can see big ones. This is really a unique place.
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Bill walton
new regulations
visit the National park Service to check on the current regulations regarding fishing. A large part of the National Park area has beed designated as protected.. Also be aware that the waters are a zero discharge area.
visit the National park Service to check on the current regulations regarding fishing. A large part of the National Park area has beed designated as protected.. Also be aware that the waters are a zero discharge area.
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Steve O.
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Buck Harrison
RW
I, too, have sailed out to Garden Key several times. As you can see from the chart it is about 70 miles west of Key West. So, on a typical sailboat, its a long day's sail. You will need to sail Marathon to KW, then KW to the fort..... yes, there are some uninhabitated keys between KW and the fort that you can stop off at; anchoring in their lee. But, talk to, or e-mail Bill Walton. He's IN Marathon, and can give you all the answers.
I, too, have sailed out to Garden Key several times. As you can see from the chart it is about 70 miles west of Key West. So, on a typical sailboat, its a long day's sail. You will need to sail Marathon to KW, then KW to the fort..... yes, there are some uninhabitated keys between KW and the fort that you can stop off at; anchoring in their lee. But, talk to, or e-mail Bill Walton. He's IN Marathon, and can give you all the answers.
Sailed there from Ft Myers
We sailed non-stop from Ft Myers last spring (about 120 miles) and got there at about 2 am. Instead of the north channel markers, we found orange danger marks, so we anchored out and waited for daylight. When the sun rose, we found that the channel between Garden Key and Bush Key had been completely closed off by a sand bar which we couldn't possibly have seen at night. The only safe approach to Garden Key is from the west. You have to circle the island on the north side when coming from Key West in order to make the channel entrance. Try to time the trip so that you make landfall by early to mid- afternoon. You'll have plenty of light to see the channel and you'll probably have a better choice of places to anchor too. Deep water carries right up to the sandbar between Bush and Garden Keys, just keep clear of the seaplane lane. Be prepared for the park rangers to stop by and check your vessel. Bring plenty of fresh water and ice. Nuff said. Final hint: If you leave Key West on the last of the ebb tide and ride up Northwest Channel on the flood you can cut as much as an hour off the trip. Good luck and enjoy. Peter H23 "Raven"
We sailed non-stop from Ft Myers last spring (about 120 miles) and got there at about 2 am. Instead of the north channel markers, we found orange danger marks, so we anchored out and waited for daylight. When the sun rose, we found that the channel between Garden Key and Bush Key had been completely closed off by a sand bar which we couldn't possibly have seen at night. The only safe approach to Garden Key is from the west. You have to circle the island on the north side when coming from Key West in order to make the channel entrance. Try to time the trip so that you make landfall by early to mid- afternoon. You'll have plenty of light to see the channel and you'll probably have a better choice of places to anchor too. Deep water carries right up to the sandbar between Bush and Garden Keys, just keep clear of the seaplane lane. Be prepared for the park rangers to stop by and check your vessel. Bring plenty of fresh water and ice. Nuff said. Final hint: If you leave Key West on the last of the ebb tide and ride up Northwest Channel on the flood you can cut as much as an hour off the trip. Good luck and enjoy. Peter H23 "Raven"
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R.W.Landau
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Jon petersen
Just came back.
Take a 12pack of beer to trade for fish from the fishing boats.. They run out close to the weekends.. We did 3 Tours.. one by the park was a lantern walk that was very good.. it was on Friday night.. You can fish on the dock but that is the only place.. We spent a Week and dinky'ed to Loggerhead also..
Take a 12pack of beer to trade for fish from the fishing boats.. They run out close to the weekends.. We did 3 Tours.. one by the park was a lantern walk that was very good.. it was on Friday night.. You can fish on the dock but that is the only place.. We spent a Week and dinky'ed to Loggerhead also..
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