What to Pack for Dry Tortugas National Park: The Ultimate Packing List (2026 Guide)
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dry tortugas is one of the most remote national parks in the united states
Planning a trip to Dry Tortugas National Park is unlike planning a visit to any other national park in the United States. Located about 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas is one of the most remote national parks in the country. Once you arrive on Garden Key, you'll quickly notice there are no restaurants, no stores, no fuel, and almost no shade. If you forget something important, there's nowhere to buy a replacement until you return to Key West.
walking around in fort jefferson
Whether you're visiting on the Yankee Freedom III, taking the Dry Tortugas Seaplane, or arriving by private boat, packing the right gear can make a huge difference in your experience.
To help you prepare, here's my complete Dry Tortugas National Park packing list with everything I recommend bringing for a comfortable and enjoyable visit.
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Here is a list of what to pack for a trip to Dry Tortugas:
Table of Contents
Reef Safe Sunscreen
If there's one item you absolutely don't want to forget, it's sunscreen.
there is very little shade anywhere at dry tortugas
The Florida Keys sun is intense year-round, and because Dry Tortugas National Park offers very little natural shade, you'll spend most of the day in direct sunlight. Between walking around Fort Jefferson, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach, it's easy to underestimate how much sun exposure you'll get.
After living by the beach for 14 years and 3 of those years in the Caribbean, my favorite sunscreen is SunBum. They have kid’s sun cream and some very convenient face mist and also a scalp spray that I love for the boys scalps and when I have a part in my hair!
as you can see, shade is limited
A Hat and Sunglasses
A wide-brimmed hat or baseball cap provides extra protection while you're exploring the fort or walking between the beaches.
Polarized sunglasses are especially helpful because they reduce glare on the water, making it easier to spot tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and other marine life from shore.
I use prescription sunglasses from Zenni Optical. I LOVE Zenni. I think I have 5 pairs of glasses from there. If you use my link, you’ll get $15 off your first pair!
our whole crew wore baseball caps as we walked around the island.
Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is incredibly important.
The Yankee Freedom provides fresh drinking water throughout the day if you journey with them, but I still recommend bringing a reusable water bottle so you always have water with you while exploring Garden Key. I have this awesome steel water bottle that I can put my National Park stickers on as we go to more parks. I have been using it for 2 years. If you keep your receipt, Wondry will replace the stickers for you at no charge if they peel off.
Adding an electrolyte packet during the afternoon can also help if you're visiting during the warmer months.
always carrying my national park waterbottle!
Swimsuit and Change of Clothes
You'll almost certainly end up swimming.
Bring a dry change of clothes for the ride back to Key West. After several hours in the ocean, changing into dry clothing makes the ferry ride much more comfortable. I brought this dry bag and put all of our wet suits inside. It kept everything else in my backpack from getting wet. We’ve used this dry bag for about 10 years.
There is a salt water foot wash station on the dock and the Yankee Freedom offers 3 outdoor freshwater shower heads to rinse off the salt water.
we wore our swimsuites to the island, then after we swam we rinsed off and changed into fresh dry clothes
Turkish Towels
We love Turkish towels. Unlike traditional beach towels, Turkish towels are lightweight, compact, and quick-drying, making them easy to pack in your beach bag or backpack. They're perfect for drying off after snorkeling, lounging on the beach, or even using as an extra layer of shade or a picnic blanket while you relax on Garden Key. Since you'll be carrying everything you need for the day, a Turkish towel is a space-saving alternative to a bulky beach towel. My kids also used them as blankets on the boat!
this photo is not from our day on dry tortugas - but it is from our time in the florida keys! Using our turkish towels as a sun shade and blanket!
Snorkeling Gear (If You're Flying)
One of the biggest differences between transportation options is snorkeling equipment.
If you're traveling aboard the Yankee Freedom III, complimentary snorkel gear is included with your ticket, so there's no need to bring your own.
we snorkeled for about an hour before we came back to hang by the shore
However, the Dry Tortugas Seaplane does not provide snorkeling equipment. If you want to explore the coral reefs and moat wall after arriving by seaplane, you'll need to bring your own mask and snorkel. Fins are optional but can be helpful if you plan to spend more time in the water.
My kids have worn THESE GOGGLES for years. They are a great price point and they are durable.
Motion Sickness Medicine
The trip to Dry Tortugas takes about two hours and fifteen minutes each way aboard the Yankee Freedom. I get extremely sea sick.
I had heard that even on calm days, the open water can be surprisingly rough and the ride to Dry Tortugas can make everyone sick. Luckily, we didn’t get sick at all.
If you're prone to motion sickness, take Bonine or Dramamine before boarding, not after you start feeling sick. We took it the night before and the morning of. We took it again before we boarded in the afternoon. Bonine is the best motion sickness medicine I have found.
For children, bring Children's Dramamine if appropriate for their age. Ginger chews or motion sickness wristbands can also help some travelers.
Check out my list of the Best Beach Gear (after 12 years of living by the beach)
the kids dramamine hit my kids hard and they slept the entire ride to the island. no one in our group got sick on the way there or home!
Brush, Hair Ties, and Body Wipes
The saltwater and wind can leave everyone's hair tangled.
A small travel brush, a few extra hair ties, and body wipes make it easy to clean up before the return trip to Key West. We love full body wipes and often recommend them for traveling with kids. The wipes are huge and smell great.
after swimming and snorkeling, we needed to brushout and redo our hair. it was a mess.
Travel Beach Bag
A lightweight travel beach bag makes it much easier to carry everything you'll need for the day. The Isle + Kai large beach tote is usually my go-to travel beach bag. I have carried it to over 8 countries and countless beaches.
However, I wore my toddler on my back and needed something I could carrier easier, so I brought my BagSmart Blast Pro 38L backpack. (Use code BRAVE for 10% off) I was able to hold our beach towels, spare outfits, camera, waterbottles, goggles, sunscreen, tripod, mini fan, and even clipped on the toddler’s Limmy swim vest.
I was able to fit everything we needed into my backpack!
A Camera and Tripod
Your phone camera will be able to capture Dry Tortugas, but a real camera can make it magical. I don’t like to carry anything bulky when I travel, so I like the Mirrorless DSLR cameras and have been using the Sony 6600 for years. It’s easy to use, small to pack, and takes incredible photos and videos. I am obsessed with this lens too.
If you want a good, portable tripod this is the one I use!
my sonyA6600 is so small and so easy to carry around
Portable Fan (Optional)
A small rechargeable portable fan can make a surprisingly big difference during your visit to Dry Tortugas National Park. With very little shade on Garden Key, the Florida heat can feel intense while you're exploring Fort Jefferson or relaxing on the beach. A handheld or clip-on fan is perfect for cooling off during breaks, waiting for the ferry, or enjoying lunch in the picnic area. It's especially helpful for families with young children, helping keep little ones comfortable between snorkeling adventures.
Portable Phone Charger
Your phone will likely be working overtime during your visit to Dry Tortugas National Park. A lightweight portable phone charger (power bank) ensures you won't run out of battery before the ferry or seaplane ride back to Key West. I prefer a magnetic charger that grabs onto the back of my phone, but if you need, you can plug in charging cords. With no places to recharge your devices on Garden Key, a portable charger is one of those small items you'll be glad you brought.
Cooler and Beach Chair (Optional)
If you're taking the Yankee Freedom III, consider packing a small cooler and a lightweight beach chair to make your day even more comfortable. The crew allows both on board and will store them for you during the ferry ride, so you don't have to keep them with you on the passenger deck. A soft-sided cooler is perfect for keeping drinks and snacks cold throughout the day, while a portable beach chair gives you a comfortable place to relax between snorkeling, swimming, and exploring Fort Jefferson.
If you're flying with the Dry Tortugas Seaplane, leave these items behind. Due to the limited baggage space and weight restrictions, coolers and beach chairs are not permitted. Instead, pack only the essentials in a small backpack or beach bag to make the most of your luggage allowance.
Important: Alcohol is not permitted in Dry Tortugas National Park, so if you bring a cooler, be sure to fill it with water, sports drinks, snacks, and other non-alcoholic beverages.
my sister was lucky enought to catch the seaplane to dry tortugas! Here is the view on approach
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As someone who recently visited Dry Tortugas National Park with my family, I can confidently say that packing the right gear makes a huge difference. Because the park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, there are no stores, restaurants, or supplies once you arrive, so it's important to come prepared.
Whether you're exploring the historic walls of Fort Jefferson, snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters surrounding Garden Key, or relaxing on the beach, having the right essentials will help you make the most of your visit. Be sure to pack plenty of sun protection, comfortable water shoes, a reusable water bottle, and a fully charged phone or camera to capture the incredible scenery. If you're arriving by seaplane, don't forget to bring your own snorkel gear, and no matter how you get there, consider packing a few comfort items like a towel, change of clothes, and motion sickness medicine for the journey. With a little planning, you'll be ready to enjoy one of the most unique and remote national parks in the United States.
Check out my Instagram for more videos and photos of our time in Dry Tortugas National Park
Have you ever been to Dry Tortugas? Leave me a comment and let me know! Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.
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