Dry Tortugas National Park

One of the most isolated parks of the contiguous United States, Dry Tortugas lies around 67 miles (113km) west of Key West. Named after the lack of freshwater (Dry) and the population of turtles (Tortugas) that reside in the area, the group of 7 islands were discovered by the Spanish in 1513. After Spain sold Florida to the United States, the coral islands were identified as being in a prime location to assert naval control over the Gulf of Mexico and protect the Mississippi River trade entering the Atlantic.

 

Construction began on Fort Jefferson, named after the 3rd president of the United States, in 1846, but was never completed due to fears that increasing the size further would put too much stress on the cistern system used to capture and store fresh rain water. The fort was used as a prison in the Civil War which continued into the following decades. However, frequent hurricanes, yellow fever epidemics, and the gradual breakdown of the cistern water system meant that the islands were essentially deserted by the 1880s. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the fort and surrounding coral atolls a National Monument, being upgraded to its current status as a National Park in 1992. 99% of the park is ocean, protecting the endangered green sea turtles, while the islands host an incredible 299 bird species.

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Access to the park is only possible via seaplane, or the 'Yankee Freedom' catamaran which runs from Key West daily. Journey time is around 1.5 hours each way, but is more than worthwhile to experience the pristine beaches, snorkelling and history of one of America's most unique parks.