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
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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.
 
 
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camping tent at dry tortugas beach   Imagine sleeping under the stars, on an island 70 miles from civilization, with the warm tropical breezes blowing through palm trees... side of box
 
Camping
Intro Information Itinerary Included w/Trip Onboard Services Times  
 
 
Fort Jefferson Camping Information
 
Thank you for your interest in camping at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park. We are very excited to have you and are confident that you will find your camping trip a truly enjoyable experience. The following are certain guidelines of which you need to be aware.
 
•   Please be at the Yankee Freedom II, on the day of your departure to Fort Jefferson, NO LATER THAN 6:30 AM! You must have all of your gear aboard the Yankee Freedom II by 6:50 AM. Due to our fueling procedures, no guests of the Yankee Freedom II are permitted on-board between 7:00 and 7:30. Due to large number of guests that we board in the short period of time and for safety reasons, we cannot accommodate late arrivals of campers and their gear.
     
•   Due to space constraints, the Yankee Freedom II will transport campers who wish to stay at Ft. Jefferson up to 4 days (3 nights).
     
•   There is a Park Service charge of $3.00 per night, per person for camping. This fee is payable to the National Park Service once you are at Fort Jefferson. Correct change is appreciated.
     
•   Upon loading your gear in the morning, please ask crew members about placement of gear. Gear must be packed into tote bags - Please do not have a lot of little, loose gear. Available Crew members may assist the loading of gear if they are finished with morning preparation duties of the Yankee Freedom II. Please understand that we will do our best to accommodate your needs with loading.
     
•   Do not attach anything to a tree. Campground trees and shrubs are crucial for providing shade and windbreak. Help protect this valuable vegetation. Do not attach ropes, hammocks, tents, laundry lines, or any other materials to campground trees. All camping gear must be free standing*.
     
•   The eleven campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. However, the Park Service reserves the right to designate camping sites to visitors of the park.
     
•   Space is limited. Each of the regular campsites contains a table and grill. Three tents and six campers are the maximum allowed per campsite. All tents must remain within ten feet of your table. Be prepared to share the limited campground area with others, and remember that flexibility is the key to a successful experience*.
     
•   If a ranger is unavailable to assign you a site, look for a table with a stenciled number. Only those tables with numbers are assigned to campsites. Should you find all regular sites occupied, you must share the overflow area with other campers*.
     
•   The Overflow Area is a grassy area located near the regular campsites. Tables and grills are provided, but they must be shared with other overflow campers. Note: as campers leave, you may move to a regular site if one becomes available*.
     
•   The Group Site is located between the regular sites and the Overflow Area. The Group Site is normally available only for groups of 10-40 campers, and must be reserved in advance. The site contains grills and two tables, and is large enough for 12-15 tents. Groups of 10 or more campers arriving without a reservation will not receive exclusive use of the Group Site*.
     
•   During periods of heavy use, the Group Site may be used for an overflow area, but only on unreserved nights. Any unreserved group choosing to camp in the Group Site during overflow periods must relocate to the Overflow Site by 10:00 AM on the day the site is reserved*.
     
•   Campers must take everything they are going to need with them! This includes fresh water for drinking and bathing. Minimum suggestion for water is one gallon per person per day. The Park Service and our boat cannot provide campers with supplies while you are at Fort Jefferson camping. There is no store or showers; however, restrooms are available at all times.
     
•   Quiet Hours. Please be considerate of others. Radios and other loud noises are precisely what many visitors have come to the Dry Tortugas to escape. Please observe the quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The use of bright lanterns is also discouraged during these hours*.
     
•   What ever you take to the fort you must bring back. This includes garbage. Please bring enough "heavy duty" garbage bags for your use during your time at the fort.
     
•   Please Note: The Dry Tortugas National Park and Fort Jefferson has a rat population that has been known to get into camper's food and other provisions. Please pack all food in airtight containers to discourage their access to your provisions.
     
•   DUE TO OCCASIONAL INCLEMENT WEATHER OR RARE MECHANICAL SITUATIONS: We cannot guarantee the exact return date of campers and they should plan and provision accordingly.
     
•   Reservations are required as we are limited to the number of campers we can transport.
     
•   We must also reserve and log the return date on our manifest.
     
•   Camping groups of 10 or more must reserve space with the National Park Services as well as with us.
     
•   Campers should confirm their return dates at the time of ticket purchase and with the captain on the outbound trip. Any request to change return dates while at the Park must be approved and logged by the Captain as spaces are sometimes subject to availability.
     
•   Campers must have all gear on the dock (NOT left in camping area) by 10:30AM on the day of departure from Ft. Jefferson to load on the boat. Equipment must be packed and cleaned of sand before re-boarding. Please keep with you items you will need for the day, as the boat may be off the dock for much of the day.
     
•   No more than three kayaks or small canoes (no greater than 15 ft. 6 in. in length) may be transported on any trip. The cost of transporting kayaks is $55.00 each, round trip.
     
•   When in transit to and from the Dry Tortugas National Park, all coolers need to be kept outside of the main salon under the bench seats. Please ask any Crew member for instructions.
     
•   Please limit your provisions and coolers to a minimum and do not exceed 60 pounds per person (not including water).
     
•   Propane containers (i.e. Coleman Propane) or any other form of liquid or gas fuels are not allowed. For safety reasons self starting charcoal is the only form of fuel allowed.
     
•   Non- residents and residents of Florida must have a salt water fishing license to fish from shore and/or boat. All licenses need to be purchased before departure to the Dry Tortugas.
     
•   Snorkel gear may be rented from the Yankee Freedom II before boarding or you may bring your own personal gear. Snorkel gear is not available from the National Park Service.
 
* Courtesy of the National Park Service and The U.S. Department of Interior.
 
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