Private Boat to the Dry Tortugas from Key West

Why people charter instead of taking the ferry

The ferry and the seaplane both go to Garden Key, and for most visitors they are the right answer — they are cheaper per head and you do not have to fill a boat. A private charter buys three things the scheduled services cannot: your own departure time, your own itinerary once you are there, and the hours before the ferry unloads.

Carlos Montero of Reel Paradise Charters put the timing plainly:

“For the Dry Tortugas trip, we normally leave Key West early enough that we can get out there before the ferry, which gives our guests a chance to enjoy Fort Jefferson and the surrounding area before the bigger crowds arrive.”
Carlos Montero, Reel Paradise Charters

That is the whole case for chartering, and it is worth being honest that it is the only case. If you are two people who do not mind a crowded fort at midday, the ferry wins on cost and you should take it.

What the day actually looks like

Reel Paradise is nominated for Best Fishing Charter in the 2026 Conch Shell Awards and runs the private Dry Tortugas day at $2,499 for the boat. We asked Carlos to describe the trip rather than write it ourselves. His account, in his words:

“Guests can explore the fort, snorkel, swim, and enjoy the incredible water around the park. When conditions allow, we can also visit Loggerhead Key and see the historic Loggerhead Lighthouse.”

“Because it’s a private trip, the day is much more flexible and personalized, and we can accommodate groups of up to 10 people.”

“For us, it’s not just about getting to Fort Jefferson — the boat ride, the scenery, Loggerhead Key, the snorkeling, and getting to experience such a remote part of the Florida Keys are all part of what makes the trip special.”
Carlos Montero, Reel Paradise Charters

Loggerhead Key is the detail worth noticing. It sits three miles west of Garden Key, the ferry does not stop there, and the 1858 lighthouse on it is the tallest in the Keys. Whether you get there depends on conditions on the day, which is why it is offered as a maybe rather than an itinerary item.

One correction to how this operator is often described, also from Carlos: “our fishing is all light tackle and very family friendly. We operate as a bareboat charter, and while fishing is part of what we do, the majority of our trips are actually sandbar, snorkeling, and custom private charters.”

Every Dry Tortugas charter we list

Eleven bookable trips, cheapest first. Prices are what the operator publishes on FareHarbor and can change; the link goes straight to that operator’s live calendar.

Trip	Operator	Price	Basis
Dry Tortugas Tour	Reel Paradise Charters	$699	Per person, up to 6	Check Availability
Dry Tortugas Public Trip	Laid Back Key West	$750	Per person, 10 hours	Check Availability
12hr Day Trip, 35’ Carolina Classic	Good Times Key West	$2,000	Whole boat, up to 6 — fuel billed separately	Check Availability
Near Dry Tortugas Fishing Charter	Wall to Wall Fishing Charters	$2,200	Whole boat, up to 4, 8 hours	Check Availability
Dry Tortugas Charter (Private)	Reel Paradise Charters	$2,499	Whole boat, up to 10	Check Availability
Dry Tortugas	Best Time Ever Boat Charters	$2,500	Private bareboat charter	Check Availability
The Dry Tortugas	Laid Back Key West	$2,900	Whole boat, 10 hours	Check Availability
Havana Sky, Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas	Havana Fleet	$2,999	Private charter, up to 6 — champagne included	Check Availability
Dry Tortugas Fishing Charters	Reel Blue Collar Fishing Charters	$3,500	Whole boat, 8 hours	Check Availability
Dry Tortugas Adventure	Restless Native Charters	$10,700	Private yacht, custom duration	Check Availability
Havana Moon, Fort Jefferson & Dry Tortugas	Havana Fleet	$11,400	Two-day private charter, up to 12	Check Availability

Two of these are overnight or multi-day rather than a single day out: Havana Moon runs one to four days, and Restless Native builds the trip around your dates. Good Times bills fuel on top of the charter fee, typically 200–300 gallons of diesel for the twelve-hour run.

The arithmetic that decides it

Whole-boat pricing only beats per-seat pricing once you have the people to fill it. Reel Paradise is the clearest illustration, because they sell both:

One seat on the shared trip: $699 per person.
The whole boat, up to 10 people: $2,499 — about $250 each at capacity.
The two break even at roughly four people. Below that the seat is cheaper; above it the boat is.

Good Times runs $2,000 for up to six, which is about $333 each at capacity — but fuel is billed separately, so budget above the sticker. Havana Sky at $2,999 for six works out near $500 each with champagne included.

Questions about chartering to the Dry Tortugas

How long is the trip out?

Garden Key is about 70 miles west of Key West. Most charters block ten to twelve hours door to door, which is why departures run early. The boat ride is a real part of the day rather than dead time — you are crossing open water past the Marquesas.

Is a charter worth it over the ferry?

Only if you value the schedule. The ferry is cheaper per person and includes the park fee, lunch and gear. A charter buys an earlier arrival, your own itinerary at the fort, and the option of Loggerhead Key, which the ferry does not visit. For a group of eight or ten the per-head cost also closes considerably.

Can we get to Loggerhead Key?

Sometimes. It is three miles west of Garden Key and the crossing depends on sea conditions that morning. Operators who offer it, Reel Paradise among them, offer it as a possibility rather than a promise. The 1858 lighthouse there is the tallest in the Florida Keys.

How many people fit?

It varies more than you would expect. Reel Paradise takes up to 10, Havana Sky and Good Times up to 6, Wall to Wall up to 4, and Havana Moon up to 12 across a multi-day trip. Check the number before the price — it changes the per-head math completely.

Is the park entrance fee included?

Usually not on a private charter. Dry Tortugas National Park charges an entrance fee per person that the ferry bundles into its ticket and most charters do not. Confirm it with the operator when you book.

What happens if the weather turns?

Seventy miles of open water means charters cancel or reschedule more readily than inshore trips, and that is the operator’s call on the morning. Cancellation terms are set by each operator, not by us — read them on the booking page before you pay.