One of the most ambitious day charters in Key West.
The Dry Tortugas is 70 miles offshore — a 6-brick Civil War fort rising out of the Gulf of Mexico surrounded by crystal-clear water, a moat you can snorkel, and one of the best snorkel sites in the Keys. It’s also one of the most ambitious day charters available from Key West.
Dry Tortugas charters run with our extended fleet of luxury partner vessels — the right boat for your group depends on size, comfort preferences, and the type of trip you want. Pricing is quote-based and varies by vessel and duration. Tell us your dates and group size; we’ll route you to the right captain and vessel.
Not bookable online — weather windows and vessel availability require planning in advance. Email or call us. We’ll discuss dates, weather patterns, and what the trip actually involves.
Five partner vessels for the Dry Tortugas run.
Each vessel suits a different group size and trip style. Click through for full specs, captain, and gallery.
SeaJazz 42 Catamaran
Stable twin-hull cat. Roomy decks and shaded cockpit — great for groups who want comfort on a long offshore day.
View vessel →Saba 50 Catamaran
Larger cat with full interior salon and cabins. Best for bigger groups or anyone who wants below-deck space on the run.
View vessel →Axopar 37 Cabin Cruiser
Fast, sporty cabin cruiser. Quickest crossing of the four; ideal for smaller groups prioritizing speed.
View vessel →Bali 4.1 Catamaran
Modern cat with open-concept layout and front terrace. A favorite for guests who want indoor-outdoor flow at the atoll.
View vessel →Freeman 37 Center-Console
Fast twin-hull center-console built for offshore runs — quick crossings and a stable ride for groups up to 12.
View vessel →Day trip or overnight? The power boats — the Axopar 37 and Freeman 37 — are built for fast same-day runs to the fort and back. The sailing catamarans — the SeaJazz 42, Saba 50, and Bali 4.1 — sleep up to eight, so they can anchor overnight at the Dry Tortugas for sunrise at Fort Jefferson, or string together a multi-day trip through the Lower Keys. Tell us the trip and we’ll match the boat.
See the full extended fleet → for additional vessel options.
The Practicals
What’s included. What to bring.
Six Fins handles the booking; the partner vessel handles the day on the water. Here’s how the included items break down.
Six Fins provides
- Booking coordination and customer support
- Vessel match for your group size and dates
- Quote and date hold
- Pre-trip captain liaison and weather window
Your partner vessel provides
- USCG-licensed captain (and crew where applicable)
- The vessel, fuel for the offshore run, and full offshore safety equipment
- Snorkel gear
- Cooler and ice
You bring
- A full day’s food and drinks
- National Park entry fee ($15 cash)
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Motion sickness medication if needed
- Florida fishing license if you plan to fish — get a non-resident license (3-day or 7-day available)
How the Day Runs
A typical schedule.
This trip only runs with the right captain and the right conditions.
Your captain comes with the partner vessel you choose. Each of our four extended-fleet vessels — the SeaJazz 42, Saba 50, Axopar 37, and Bali 4.1 — is operated by its own USCG-licensed captain. We confirm captain and vessel details once you’ve selected a date and group size.
See the extended fleet → for vessel-specific captains and crew.
What people who took this trip say.
“The whole experience was exactly what they described — no surprises, no crowds, just a spectacular day on the water. Six Fins matched us with the right boat and captain. Could not recommend more highly.”
“The prep call the day before was genuinely reassuring. They talked through conditions, what to bring, what to expect. Smooth handoff to the captain on the day of. We’ll be back.”
Before you plan a Dry Tortugas charter.
How far is Dry Tortugas from Key West?
Dry Tortugas / Fort Jefferson is about 70 miles west of Key West. That distance is why this charter requires advance planning, the right vessel, the right weather window, and a custom quote rather than instant online booking.
This is not a casual sandbar run. It is a major offshore day or overnight charter, depending on vessel, schedule, and conditions.
Can I book a Dry Tortugas charter online?
No. Dry Tortugas private charters are quote-based and require call or email planning. Six Fins does not sell this as an instant online booking because vessel selection, weather window, group size, duration, and availability all matter.
Start with your preferred date range, group size, and whether you want a same-day powerboat run or a slower overnight-style experience.
What kind of boat do we need?
The right vessel depends on the trip style. Faster powerboats are better for same-day runs. Sailing catamarans or larger partner-fleet vessels may be better for overnight or multi-day trips when available.
Six Fins may coordinate options such as SeaJazz 42, Saba 50, Axopar 37, Freeman 37, Bali 4.1, or other extended-fleet vessels depending on date, party size, and trip goals.
Is this a Six Fins boat or partner-fleet charter?
Dry Tortugas trips are partner-fleet charters coordinated by Six Fins. Six Fins helps with vessel matching, quote/date hold, booking coordination, pre-trip captain liaison, and weather-window planning.
The partner vessel and captain handle the day on the water. That lets Six Fins match the trip to a vessel suited for the distance instead of forcing every request onto one boat.
How much does a private Dry Tortugas charter cost?
Pricing varies by vessel, duration, guest count, date, day versus overnight format, and captain/crew requirements. That is why Six Fins quotes Dry Tortugas charters individually.
A same-day powerboat run, an overnight sailing-catamaran trip, and a larger private yacht charter are different products with different costs. Send the date and guest count first, then Six Fins can quote the right option.
Can we visit Fort Jefferson?
Fort Jefferson is the main reason many guests ask about Dry Tortugas. Whether a specific charter can include Fort Jefferson depends on vessel selection, timing, access, park conditions, weather, and the day's plan.
Do not assume every vessel, date, or weather window can support the same Fort Jefferson itinerary. Six Fins will help plan the most realistic version for the trip.
Is Dry Tortugas weather-dependent?
Yes. Very. Dry Tortugas is about 70 miles west of Key West, and the crossing is strongly affected by wind, sea state, storms, and marine forecasts.
If the captain or operator determines conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, the charter may need to shift dates, change format, or be canceled according to the applicable booking terms. Safety and weather-window planning are central to this trip.
Is this good for kids?
It can be, but Dry Tortugas is a long-distance offshore charter. Families should think honestly about attention span, motion sensitivity, bathroom needs, sun exposure, and whether children will enjoy a long crossing.
For many families, a Marquesas, sandbar, snorkel, or Custom Combo Charter is a better first private boat day. Dry Tortugas is best for guests who specifically want the distance and destination.
How far ahead should we plan?
Plan as early as possible. Dry Tortugas charters depend on partner-fleet availability, captain schedules, weather windows, and the right vessel match.
If your dates are fixed, reach out early with your group size and preferred format. If your dates are flexible, say so — flexibility can make this charter much easier to plan.
What should we send Six Fins to get a quote?
Send your preferred date or date range, number of guests, day-trip versus overnight interest, comfort level on longer offshore runs, budget range if you have one, and any must-do priorities such as Fort Jefferson, sailing, snorkeling, or photography.
Six Fins can then match the request to the best available vessel and tell you what is realistic before you commit.
Can we fish at the Dry Tortugas?
Often, yes. The waters around the Dry Tortugas are some of the most legendary in the Keys, and many partner-fleet charters can include fishing. Because these trips are quote-based and run on different vessels, tell us when you inquire if fishing is a priority so we match you to the right boat, captain, and route.
Parts of Dry Tortugas National Park are protected no-take zones, so your captain handles where fishing is allowed, plus seasons and limits. Fishing-license coverage depends on the specific partner captain’s own license and is not guaranteed across every vessel — plan on guests needing their own Florida saltwater fishing license unless the assigned captain confirms coverage. Buy a short-term license online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, and full license rules and exemptions are on the FWC website.