Captain Jim Healy, author of the article below, is a frequent contributor here on the Cruisers’ Net, and many other nautical mailing lists/forums. This posting is excerpted from a long submission to the GL (Great Loop) mailing list! Captain Jim has pretty much captured my thoughts on taking your own vessel to the Dry Tortugas!

Take the fast day-ferry to Ft. Jefferson at Las Tortugas. You can do Key West and the Tortugas with your own boat, of course, but Key West is very expensive and crowded for marinas in season. Bicycles will help a lot in the Keys. If you take your own boat to the Tortugas, read the cruising guides and prepare carefully. There’s no water, no dockage, no trash disposal and it’s a no discharge zone. Add to that, Las Tortugas is 60 miles offshore, and the weather (prevailing winds) can be several weeks from travel-window to travel-window, so advance planning is essential. Only anchoring is possible there. Heads – but not showers – are available on the dock during daily hours when the park is open.
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary
Currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
Monk 36 Hull #132