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.
Four 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 →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
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 call.
Why can’t I book online?
The Dry Tortugas run is highly weather-dependent and requires planning we can’t do through a booking form. The captain monitors a multi-day weather window and confirms a green light personally. Call us and we’ll find the right window together.
How rough is the ride?
On a good day, smooth. On a marginal day, it’s a significant open-water run — 70 miles each way. We don’t go unless conditions are right. If you’re prone to motion sickness, come prepared even on a good day.
Is this better than the Dry Tortugas ferry?
The ferry is shared, scheduled, and crowds the fort during peak hours. Our boat is your group only — flexible timing, a smaller wake into the anchorage, and you can swim and snorkel in spots the ferry can’t stop at. Different experience entirely.
Do we need offshore experience?
No — just trust the partner captain’s judgment. The captain assigned to your vessel makes the call on whether to go. You show up, get on the boat, and let the crew handle the offshore part. That’s the whole point of going on a vetted, captained partner vessel instead of running a rented boat yourself.