Our adventure to Dry Tortugas was several years in the making. We had been venturing into the Florida Keys every summer since 2020 and making our way to the island Fort was one of those top bucket list items to explore. We looked at the two options to get there … the Yankee Freedom Ferry and Key West Seaplane Adventures.
There were some key differences between going by boat or plane. First and foremost … the seaplane just seemed like more exciting. It also afforded us time on the island early in the day before the hundreds of people arrived on the ferry. The ferry was quite a bit cheaper but paying the extra for the seaplane meant that we would have two to three hours on the island early in the day to explore with only about 20 other people.
The seaplane option also got us there much more quickly. I believe the ferry was about a two hour trip each direction whereas the plane got us there in about 45 minutes. We ultimately decided to go with the seaplane adventure … but were terribly disappointed when on our way down to the Keys we received a call that the plane had been grounded for repairs after a bird strike.
We waited an entire year to try again on our next trip down and it was worth the wait. Early one morning in the heart of the summer in 2023 we jumped in the Jeep in Marathon and made our way to the Key West airport. I read somewhere when researching the possibility that one person would ride in the cockpit and if you wanted to be that person to ask about it when scheduling. I did just that … and was so excited to be given that chance when boarding.
And then there we were … taking off at 7:30 in the morning into the skies above Key West.
To be incredibly honest … there was a part of me that was initially nervous about flying in a small plane over shark infested waters. There was no fear though as I looked out at the amazing views.
We flew close enough to the water to see sea turtles gracefully dancing through the waves, dolphin pods playing and sharks meandering. The ocean was so alive and we were able to witness it all in a way that we never could have from a boat.
What was even more intriguing were the shadows of shipwrecks we could see within the pristine blue waters. We would be flying over the calm waters below and suddenly see an entire ship emerge in the distance.
Our pilot was also exceptional. He pointed out things to be watching for as we glided in the warm summer air … making the time go by so quickly and we soon found ourselves coming in to land on the ocean.
Stepping onto the sandy beach, we were off to explore Fort Jefferson. I would note that we chose to go late in the summer not realizing part of the island/key is closed to tourists (given it serves as a nesting ground for native birds).
That was not too impactful for us given we came on the early flight and had a very small group of other visitors there to compete with for space.
Fort Jefferson is interesting in that it is an imposing brick fort that has stood strong even in the face of hurricanes. It also served as a prison for many years even housing the doctor that was facing charges after President Lincoln’s assassination. There is this strength to the building but a quiet beauty to the natural world that is teeming around it.
You can walk the halls and get a sense for what it might have felt like to be a prisoner there. It would be very clear in looking out at the vastness of the ocean that there would be no escape possible.
That was coupled with the stillness of the waves, the searing heat, lush green bushes and beautiful cloudy skies. The dichotomy of what the prisoners would have experienced versus what we were experiencing was not lost on me as we wandered through the maze of brick corridors.
We could have explored for days in the long hallways of the largest brick structure in North America.
This was truly and adventure I will not forget and honestly one I plan to do again at some point. If you are thinking about making the trip I would recommend it! It had the perfect blend of adventure, intrigue and relaxation.
I personally will be booking my next trip through Key West Seaplane Adventures as opposed to the ferry. The plane ride was so amazing … it was worth doing a second time.
If you choose to venture onto the shores of Dry Tortugas … have fun! It truly is a one of a kind experience.
K Shaye Runyon 
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