Dry Tortuga National Park

Futuretotm · Dec 12, 2016

We camped out there for three nights, the sky was out of this world

One of the millions of hermit crabs on the island and around our campsite

Hero5 w/o dive lights, good snorkeling

The fort (Ft. Jefferson)

Night sky!

Another night sky!

Bioluminescence (not the best pic)

More bio

Moat wall during the night

Milky way

More of the fort

Frigate bird

Frigate bird nesting site

Light house at loggerhead key

Light house on Garden key

Pelicans

More pelicans

Kamikazi!

Fish!

redfishbluefish · Dec 12, 2016

Wow! Thanks for sharing. When I lived in Florida in the early 70's, that was on my wish list. Never got the chance. Recently talking to a friend about Dry Tortuga, he mentioned that you now need a permit to go/camp out there.

Again, great pictures....especially the night sky with no light pollution.

Squirrel_reefer · Dec 12, 2016

Great pics, thanks for sharing!

aaron23 · Dec 12, 2016

wow looks like you had an awesome time thanks for the share

DeniseAndy · Dec 12, 2016

Beautiful photography and looks amazing.

revhtree · Dec 12, 2016

WOW stunning photos!

Futuretotm · Dec 12, 2016

redfishbluefish said:
Wow! Thanks for sharing. When I lived in Florida in the early 70's, that was on my wish list. Never got the chance. Recently talking to a friend about Dry Tortuga, he mentioned that you now need a permit to go/camp out there.

Again, great pictures....especially the night sky with no light pollution.

Thanks! Actually thats not entirely true.
General FYI for others as well: Dry Tortuga is about 2.5 hours ferry ride from Key West, need a cheap vacay to the carrib? drive down to key west and camp at DTNP for three nights (max allowable)
Cost is 170ish for a day trip (arrive at island at 10ish am, ferry leaves at 3pm sharp)
180ish for campers! yup 10$s more! they lug load/offload all your gear as well! You share the entire island with 1000s of hermit crabs, a few other campers and thats it! Snorkeling is amazing, the night sky... etc etc Turtles nest there, frigate birds (wingspan >5ft there all the time), pelicans dive bomb into the water, tonnes of wildlife.... and the reason is less humans around (my opinion only) vs the keys

Definitely a trip worth it.

Futuretotm · Dec 12, 2016

Squirrel_reefer said:
Great pics, thanks for sharing!

Thanks fellow Floridian!

Futuretotm · Dec 12, 2016

aaron23 said:
wow looks like you had an awesome time thanks for the share

revhtree said:
WOW stunning photos!

DeniseAndy said:
Beautiful photography and looks amazing.

Thank you for the kind words folks!

Midrats · Dec 12, 2016

We used to anchor there and have swim call. Great memories climbing out to the end of the bowsprit and jumping into the blue water. Thanks for sharing!

Mike_J · Dec 12, 2016

Good grief, these pictures are absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for sharing these with us. I'm really kinda jealous right now

Coastie Reefer · Dec 12, 2016

Making me miss my St. Pete Coast Guard days. We pulled in there several times, but the only time I got to go to the island was to investigate what was thought to be a drug or migrant boat. I'd much rather get to camp there instead of walking around in body armor!!! Think I have a new item on my bucket list!

Great photos. What camera did you use?

Futuretotm · Dec 12, 2016

Mike_J said:
Good grief, these pictures are absolutely breathtaking! Thank you for sharing these with us. I'm really kinda jealous right now

squareriggersailor said:
We used to anchor there and have swim call. Great memories climbing out to the end of the bowsprit and jumping into the blue water. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks guys!

Futuretotm · Dec 12, 2016

Coastie Reefer said:
Making me miss my St. Pete Coast Guard days. We pulled in there several times, but the only time I got to go to the island was to investigate what was thought to be a drug or migrant boat. I'd much rather get to camp there instead of walking around in body armor!!! Think I have a new item on my bucket list!

Great photos. What camera did you use?

Thanks! Combo of Hero5, iphone7plus (totally worth the zoom function, see above light house in a distance!), and a Canon T6i
Interesting fact: when we got to the island the park ranger came out to give us a briefing, and one of the things he asked us to report immediately to him was Cuban refugees coming over, there was actually a abandoned cuban boat on the island. They have about 80 boat landings a year.

Myka · Dec 13, 2016

Beautiful photos!!! Wow that night sky - you're right! Jeez, I might have to put this on the bucket list.

Futuretotm · Dec 14, 2016

Myka said:
Beautiful photos!!! Wow that night sky - you're right! Jeez, I might have to put this on the bucket list.

Thanks!
The best I've seen despite the moon being out, better than french polynesia

Addicted2ACRO's · Dec 14, 2016

I live in Miami and I did 2 Dive trips to the Tortugas with my Uncle back in the mid 1980's. Both were 4 day trips. We left Key West early Thursday morning and returned late Sunday afternoon. We hunted for Fish and Lobster all 4 days. The Night Sky, the Fort and Reefs were AMAZING! I strongly recommend it if you have the opportunity