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Map of Dry Tortugas National Park
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Dry Tortugas National Park

Florida, United States
Open Water suggestedExtreme remoteness1–21 m depthBoth entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Dry Tortugas National Park at a glance

Dry Tortugas National Park is a both dive site in Florida, United States with depths of 1–21.3 m (3–70 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Green sea turtle, Loggerhead sea turtle, and Goliath grouper. Recent reports put the water around 31°C (88°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 3h ago
0.3 mwaves — under half a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 31°C · seasonal avg 31°C

Site hazards: Extreme remoteness

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Sun
Sun7:00–21:00
Mon7:00–21:00
Tue7:00–21:00
Wed7:00–21:00
Thu7:00–21:00
Fri7:00–21:00
Sat8:00–21:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 6:32 · Sunrise 6:57 · Sunset 20:18

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.5 km from site · graded 3h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Green sea turtle, Loggerhead sea turtle, Nurse shark
Best time: April-June offers the calmest seas and best visibility; summer is warm but thunderstorm-prone, winter cold fronts bring wind and chop. Ferry sells out — book well ahead.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan43%24°C1.5 m
  2. Feb67%24°C1.3 m
  3. Mar67%24°C1.3 m
  4. Apr59%26°C1.3 m
  5. May98%28°C0.8 m
  6. Jun89%29°C0.8 m
  7. Jul100%31°C0.6 m
  8. Aug88%31°C0.7 m
  9. Sep96%31°C0.8 m
  10. Oct59%29°C1.4 m
  11. Nov53%27°C1.5 m
  12. Dec47%25°C1.5 m

July hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • Green sea turtleCommonly seen
  • Loggerhead sea turtleCommonly seen
  • Goliath grouperOccasionally seen
  • Nurse sharkCommonly seen
  • Stoplight parrotfishCommonly seen
  • Great barracudaCommonly seen
  • Yellowtail snapperCommonly seen
  • Queen conchCommonly seen
  • TarponOccasionally seen
  • Staghorn coralOccasionally seen
  • Sooty tern (surface)Seasonal

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Site details

Dry Tortugas National Park protects seven remote islands and some of the most pristine coral reef in the continental U.S., 70 miles west of Key West around historic Fort Jefferson. Access is only by ferry, seaplane, or boat; snorkelers can shore-enter along Garden Key's moat wall and beaches, while scuba diving — including the popular Windjammer (Avanti) wreck in about 20 ft off Loggerhead Key — requires a private vessel or the park's approved dive charter since tanks are banned on the ferry and seaplane. Expect superb visibility, abundant sea turtles (the park's namesake), and large grouper in a lightly fished ecosystem.

boatreefshorewreck

Extreme remoteness — 70 miles west of Key West with no fuel, water, or emergency services; nearest recompression chamber is hours away, so dive conservatively. Currents around channels and wrecks, boat traffic near Garden Key anchorage, summer thunderstorms and winter cold fronts, sunburn/dehydration. Research Natural Area zones are no-anchor/no-fishing; spearfishing and lobstering prohibited parkwide; permits required for private vessels.

Reviews

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