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Famed Spanish explorer
Ponce de León stumbled on these little island gems in 1513 and promptly dubbed
them Dry Tortugas for their lack of fresh water and abundance of tortoises.
Through the ensuing centuries the islands gained a reputation for concealing
pirates and sunken treasure, as well as their wildlife.
The pirates are gone,
but the Dry Tortugas are still an unspoiled paradise rich in marine and bird
species, making this island outpost popular for birders, scuba divers, and
snorkelers. Excellent diving exists year-round with the waters at a warm 80
degrees Farenheit in the summer months, and dropping to the low 60s in the
winter. The best time to dive these waters is in the spring, summer, and autumn
months, when the Gulf Stream eddies in, the visibility is better than the usual
40- to 60-foot range, and the currents vary from very little to stiff. More than
200 shipwrecked vessels lie within the park's boundaries, making wreck diving a
popular sport. The islands are located 70 miles west of Key West, Florida.
Camp in an Island
Paradise
The Dry Tortugas don't exactly roll out the red carpet for visitors. They're
reached only by boat or seaplane, and because no fresh water is available on the
island, visitors must bring all of the water and food needed for their entire
stay. All the trouble is worth it to settle into one of a dozen primitive
campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. A policy of "pack
it in , pack it out" is strictly enforced.
Snorkel the Coral
Reefs
The waters surrounding the Dry Tortugas are ideal for beginner and expert
snorkelers with shallow diving accessible right from the beach. Colorful corals,
tropical fish, starfish, and sea conches are just a few of the delights that
await.
Dive for Wrecks
Between Key Largo and Dry Tortugas lies the only living barrier reef ecosystem
in the continental United States. The reefs are typically shallow and
constructed of hard elkhorn corals; boulder-size brain corals; tall, willowy sea
whips; and giant purple sea fans. They're also a very popular and inexpensive
spot for diving. Beginners should head for the City of Washington and the
Benwood; advanced divers will want to explore Bibb and Duane.
Catch Dinner
Fish from the land or a charter boat at sea. Fishermen may catch grouper,
amberjack, cobia, tarpon, mackerel, snook, red snapper, and other saltwater
fish. Lobster taking is not allowed. Saltwater fishing licenses are available in
Key West.
Patrol for Pelicans
The islands are famous for their birds and were designated a sanctuary to
protect them. Some of the birds you're likely to see include pelicans; sooty
terns, which nest on the islands between May and September; and many tropical
species. | 
