Tropical Fish at Dry Tortugas Yankee Freedom II Dry Tortugas National Park phone number Dry Tortugas frequently asked questions Dry Tortugas Fort Jefferson ferry visitor information contact us Dry Tortugas Fort Jefferson ferry contact information
Dry Tortugas Fort Jefferson ferry Yankee Freedom logo
blue box Dry Tortugas ferry home pageblue box
blue box about Dry Tortugas ferryblue box
blue box Dry Tortugas ferry reservationsblue box
blue box Dry Tortugas tours and activitiesblue box
blue box Dry Tortugas ferry day tripstop of turtle
blue box Dry Tortugas ferry camping informationbottom of turtle
blue box Dry Tortugas snorkeling informationblue box
blue box Dry Tortugas National Park historyblue box
blue box Dry Tortugas National Park nature and scienceblue box
blue box Dry Tortugas National Park ferry groups and chartersblue box
white boxDry Tortugas ferry reservationswhite box
comparison chart button

Why Choose Yankee Freedom II

  Yankee Freedom II Fast Cat
How spacious is your boat? 3,500 sq. ft. (approx.)

Certified for 250 people; to maximize comfort carries no more than 135 people.

1,500 sq. ft. (approx.)

Certified for 100 people and carries a maximum of 100 people.

Do you have multiple
exterior decks with good
vantage points for
sightseeing?
YES

2 decks: A shaded upper deck and a 360º lower deck with access to the front for excellent dolphin and turtle spotting.

NO

One small non-shaded rear deck for smokers.

Is your boat insulated from noise? YES

Main cabin rides on rubber insulators.

NO

Cabin attached directly to pontoons.
Do you have food and
beverage bars on your boat?
YES

2 full bars with frozen drinks on upper and lower decks. Hot and cold snack bar in main cabin.

NO

Cold snacks; no bar.

How many bathrooms
do you have?

Are any of them wheelchair
accessible?

3
large bathrooms totaling 54 sq ft.
YES
2
bathrooms totaling 18 sq ft.

NO
Have you won any
environmental awards
or certifications?
YES

2008 ISO 14001 Certification;
EPA Environmental Award winner.

NO
Do you have an
entertainment system?
YES

4 tvs and stereo system.

YES

Stereo system.

Do you have fresh water rinses? YES: 2

2 open showers on board.

YES

Hose on dock.

How long does it take to get to Fort Jefferson? 2 hours and 15 minutes. 2 hours and 15 minutes.
 
 
green line
box Bird watching information at Dry Tortugasbox
box Dry Tortugas photo galleryside of box
side of box Dry Tortugas Kids' activitiesside of box
side of box Dry Tortugas blog pageside of box
side of box Key West beachesside of box
side of box Key West and Florida Keysside of box
side of box national parks informationside of box
 
Yankee Freedom Environmental Award Winner
line
sign up for our newsletter
*Email
First Name
Last Name
Zip
* = Required Field
Privacy Policy
line
line
 
..
Fort Jefferson National Park sign   Dry Tortugas National Park encompasses the history and natural wonders that make this island at the Southern tip of the United States a truly remarkable place. side of box
 
Visitor Information
Things To Know What To Bring Weather Operating Times Directions Parking Safety
 
 
Things To Know at Fort Jefferson
 

Getting Started
Once you arrive at the Dry Tortugas, there are picnic tables where you can place your personal gear and towels. There are a limited number of picnic tables available outside Fort Jefferson, so you may have to share with other visitors. Please remember that no food, drinks or trash are permitted inside Fort Jefferson, and it is illegal to feed or harass the wildlife!

Restrooms
There are no public restrooms available at the park. Visitors will be required to use the facilities provided onboard the Yankee Freedom II. Composting toilets will be available for visitors to use within the campground and after 2:30 PM. Composting toilets are specially designed toilets that do not require water or chemicals and they can accommodate a small number of users. These toilets are extremely fragile, and throwing trash or other materials into composting toilets is strictly prohibited.

Collecting Is Prohibited
Help protect the Dry Tortugas! Please do not remove seashells, coral, sand, brick, glass, stone, metal or any other natural or historic objects from the premises. If you find an artifact, please do not move or disturb it, and promptly call park staff.

Closed Areas
Some areas of Fort Jefferson are closed to the public. For your safety, please do not enter these clearly marked areas and follow all park regulations. The interior of Fort Jefferson, East Key and Loggerhead Key are only open during daylight hours, and Bush Key is closed from February through mid-September due to bird nesting. Hospital Key and Long Key are closed year round.

Garden Key has fishing restrictions. The following areas on Garden Key are closed to fishing:
• The moat, moat wall, and within 300 feet of moat wall
• Vessels moored at the Garden Key Dock
• Helicopter pad area
• North and South beaches

Do the rangers live at the fort?
Yes! There are about a dozen National Park Service personnel living and working in the Dry Tortugas. The group includes rangers, maintenance workers, and their families—enough to provide for the basic support and protection of the 100–square–mile park.

Employees have their own living quarters, complete with a kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Most live within the casemates of the fort. To help maintain their privacy, the housing area is closed to the public.

Rainwater provides employees with some of their fresh water. Using parts of the historic rainwater catchment system (first used in the 1850s), water is stored in a large cistern in the parade ground. A process known as reverse osmosis can also convert up to 1,000 gallons of saltwater into freshwater daily.

Electricity is provided by diesel generator. The generator runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, creating enough electricity to power employee residences, offices and public areas.

Job vacancies are filled through competitive hiring. Employees can remain as long as they choose; the typical length of stay is three years.

Park staff normally work ten consecutive days. When not working, the staff may choose to stay at the fort during their days off to do the same things that you do on your days off: sleep late, clean house, write letters, do laundry. About once a month a trip to town becomes necessary for running errands, shopping or just to see the latest movie!

Regulations

National Park Service and The U.S. Department of Interior.

 
 
line
 
 
social media iconsConnect with Yankee Freedom II for exclusive offers, videos & more.
> Go to Yankee Freedom Social Media


historic tours of america
   
Yankee Whale Watching and Deep Sea Fishing
www.yankeefleet.com
Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson Ferry Service. Copyright ©2010 Historic Tours of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
Content from this Website may not be copied, downloaded, reproduced or used without written permission!