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Map of Dry Tortugas National Park
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Dry Tortugas National Park

Florida, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggestedExtreme remoteness1–21 m (3–70 ft) 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, Yellowtail snapper, and Tarpon. Recent reports put the water around 28°C (83°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 14:00–19:00 · moderate · sunset 18:55

Forecast for this hour · 13:00 · run under 1 h ago
2.0 m (6.5 ft)waves — about two meters expected (waves — about seven feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 28°C · seasonal avg 29°C ( · Forecast 83°F · seasonal avg 84°F)

Site hazards: Extreme remoteness

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Sun
Mon14:00–19:00 moderate

2.0 m waves · 23 kn wind (6.4 ft waves · 23 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 moderate

1.8 m waves · 20 kn wind (5.9 ft waves · 20 kn wind)

Wed8:00–12:00 moderate, 12:00–19:00 favorable

1.5 m waves · 15 kn wind (5.0 ft waves · 15 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 12 kn wind (3.6 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Fri8:00–19:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Sat8:00–19:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 10 kn wind (2.0 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Sun8:00–19:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 6 kn wind (1.5 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:11 · Sunrise 7:35 · Sunset 18:55 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 2.5 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 13:25 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Dry Tortugas National Park

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.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Green sea turtle, Yellowtail snapper, Loggerhead sea turtle
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. January, 43% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  2. February, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (75°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  3. March, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 24°C (76°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  4. April, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 26°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.1 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  5. May, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.5 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots
  6. June, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  7. July, 100% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (2.1 ft), wind has typically been 12 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 88% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (88°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.4 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  9. September, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.7 ft), wind has typically been 13 knots
  10. October, 59% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.6 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  11. November, 53% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.9 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  12. December, 47% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 25°C (78°F), waves have typically been 1.5 m (4.8 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots

July has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Gulf of Mexico — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

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.

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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.

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