Information on Dry Tortugus

[NJStateRanger]

I hoping someone can help with giving any information on liveaboards that run to the Dry Tortugus. Also if anyone has done one of these type trips to that area, what could I expect? Hoping to find a vessel that goes for 3-5 days. Tried the search option and I am coming up dry so far. New to board so maybe I am doing something wrong?Thanks for any help provided.

 

[mnj1233]

Dont know of any live aboards but I know you can be dropped off and camp for 3-4 days!

 

[diversteve]

http://www.drytortugasdiving.com/
http://ultimategetaway.net/

Never been there but I thought of going a couple years ago.

 

[DennisW]

What Steve said. I have been on the Ultimate Getaway. Wonderful trip, but sparse quarters. A bit like camping, but you are on a boat. But, like I said, I had a great time.

 

[tvictory]

www.seaclusive.com

Playmate does long weekends leaving from Stock Island near Key West. They generally cater to obsessive spearfishers.

 

[NJStateRanger]

Can you possibly give a little more detail, I have heard so far this is more for spearfishing, which I don't care either way. I would be going as a single, any problems there? Cost's, sleeping quarter's, etc. I like hearing from people that have actually done the trip. Thank's again for any help, I also am thinking about either Blackbeard's or Juliet for 07, any help there?

 

[DennisW]

I haven't been since March of '01, so I am sure the prices are different. If I remember right, the trip was $495 pp back then, but then again, I can't remember what I had for breakfast and I have the same thing every day. Call them for prices. I went with Walter, some other people from Ft. Myers and a group out of Alabama. I think you could buddy up with someone on the charter, but again, call them.

When I went it was a hunting trip. But, you don't have to hunt. The diving is beautiful. Great reefs and abundant sea life. Well, at least it was then. Hopefully the last couple of years of hurricanes haven't hurt the reefs too much.

Sleeping is on bunks, the web site shows a picture of the bunk area. You have to provide either a sleeping bag and pillow or your own bed linens. Like I said, the quarters are sparse.

I've never done a Blackbeard's or Juliet trip. Good luck,

 

[mike_s]

If you don't like spearfishing, you won't like being on a spearfishing trip as a regular diver.

You can't spearfish inside the park, so they are excluded to the areas outside the park where the coral and fish are not as good. Also spearfishing divers might wan to abort the dive early if there aren't any fish there at that site. Nothing wrong with people who spearfish, it's just that it exludes you from the best areas of the park.

The boat captain from the above referenced will also sometimes book both regular divers and spearfishermen on the same trip and you just have a difference of opinion on what type of diving they will be doing, which causes problems. Unfortunatally the spearfishermen "win out" because once you bring the first speared fish on board, you can't enter the park with fish in your coolers per Florida Fish & Wildlife laws.

just something to think about.

 

[NJStateRanger]

Thank you for the information, seems there are a limited number of boats going there. Might be better off just diving the general keys area. Thanks again. Be Safe

 

[Divingnthedark]

Thank you for the information, seems there are a limited number of boats going there. Might be better off just diving the general keys area. Thanks again. Be Safe

Hey, I've been on board the M/V Playmate and Bob the owner is a real nice guy...We couldn't make it out to the Dry Tortugas on our trip due to severe weather conditions/wrong time of year... but we had a blast with Bob. The boat was much more comfortable than a Blackbeards trust me... I've been on those 3-4 times! I thought Bob had sold the Playmate, good to see he still owns it and runs charters. I think I would send him an email before I wrote off a trip to the Dry Tortugas with his OP... Fort Jefferson is just beautiful I did manage to fly there for a day, Hey the first link that was posted is outdated use the second one...http://www.seaclusive.com/
Loretta