When you think of ‘Fort’ and ‘Moat’. What comes to mind? A large and imposing castle in medieval Europe? Maybe a storybook where the hero must hide in sickly dark water that surrounds the enemy fortress. Yet right here in Florida we have our own castle and moat drenched in the beautiful sunshine in the Gulf of Mexico. 70 miles west of bustling and beautiful Key West, FL lays the Dry Tortugas, a group of islands and shoals in the Gulf of Mexico. It is shockingly silent, with miles and miles of clear ocean water everywhere you turn. A tropical paradise with a Spanish style fortress lost in time on the third largest reef system in the world.
I have been to a few different National Parks in the United States, but Dry Tortugas is truly unlike any other park. No battle was fought there, there is not a long line to take photos of the scenery and there is not even a line to get in. From there you arrive and realize you are only one of maybe 250 on the island, with a fortress behind you and an ocean in front of you.
As soon as you get off the boat (or seaplane), you are struck by how relaxed the park is. Families are unloading their camp gear, being directed by the park rangers where they’ll be for the next few days (experienced campers only), while others are packing up after their vacation on the island. Some are strolling around the fort, moseying in and out of cells and rooms. Others are heading straight for the shoreline, swimming amongst tropical fish and snorkeling amongst the reefs. There really is something for everyone.
Fort Jefferson stands watch over this island providing excellent shade and additional places to swim and explore. It never saw battle but rather was used by the Union Army during the Civil War as a blockade against Confederate supply lines and a prison for Confederate soldiers. The U.S. Army officially abandoned the fort in 1874, using it as a coaling station for warships. On January 4, 1935, the Fort was designated as a National Monument. On October 26, 1992, it was a changed to Dry Tortugas National Park encapsulating the entire island and accompanying shoals. Despite its’ lengthy history the fort is still a beautiful work of masonry. The red stone glows in the setting sun, and over 200 archways give unfettered views of the horizon.
As beautiful as the Fort is, what is most astonishing is what lies under the water. Hundreds of shipwrecks surround the island, where experienced and registered divers can explore, t. If you are not a diver, not to worry. Snorkelers can experience the Windjammer and Bird Key wrecks just as much. However, what is the most beautiful part of the park is by far the marine life. It is the type of sights you seem to only be able to view in a documentary or a magazine. Tropical fish, coral, mollusks, and urchins are right there in front of your eyes, unafraid of human visitors. It is a completely different world below the surface. It is difficult to leave and get back on the boat to the Keys.
Dry Tortugas is almost a secret despite it being a National Park. Unknown and semi-challenging to get to, it holds a treasure trove of natural and man-made beauty. If you can make the trip – pack sunscreen, pack some snacks, and prepare for memories to last a lifetime.
