Can you fish at the Dry Tortugas?
Yes, but not everywhere. Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West, bans fishing in its 46-square-mile Research Natural Area, allows hook-and-line fishing with circle hooks elsewhere, and bans spearfishing and lobstering. The neighbouring Tortugas Ecological Reserve is no-take. Trips from Key West run 10 to 12 hours.
Getting there
The National Park Service says the park lies about 70 miles (113 km) west of Key West and can be reached only by boat or seaplane: the ferry, a seaplane, a private boat or a permitted charter. A ferry day trip gives about 4.5 hours in the park; the seaplane takes 40 minutes each way. By private charter, Laid Back Key West says the run takes about two hours across open water. Entry is $15 a person, good for seven days (under-16s free), and storms can close the park on short notice.
Where you can and cannot fish
- Research Natural Area: no fishing. A 46-square-mile marine reserve, 46% of the park. No anchoring anywhere in it; mooring buoys are day-use only, two hours maximum.
- Elsewhere in the park: fin fish by closely attended hook and line only, and only circle hooks: J hooks are not permitted.
- No spearfishing or lobstering in the park; spears must be dismantled and stowed.
- Historic Use Area: fishing from a boat is allowed within the one-mile area around Garden Key, marked by large yellow buoys.
- Closed spots: off Bush Key, in the swimming area and Special Protection Zones, and within 50 feet of the historic coaling docks.
- Private boats must file a boat permit at Garden Key before fishing in the park.
- Tortugas Ecological Reserve (NOAA, outside the park): fishing by any means is prohibited in both the North and South sections. Tortugas North needs a free permit requested at least 72 hours ahead and use of sanctuary moorings; Tortugas South is transit only, gear stowed. Neither is marked with boundary buoys.
Key West charters that run Tortugas trips
Four of the twenty operators on the operator list run the Tortugas, read on 6 October 2026. On the National Park Service list of permitted guides, Laid Back Key West is the only one listed for guided fishing; Conch ’N Around is listed for diving and snorkel tours.
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Laid Back Key West
5.0 Google · 101 reviews · read 4 October 2026
Private 10-hour Dry Tortugas trip from $2,900 for up to six, with fuel, park entry and lunch, fishing, snorkeling or both; a shared trip of six guests from $750 a person. On the NPS guided-fishing list.
Departs: Hurricane Hole Marina
Check availability -
Florida Straits Sportfishing
5.0 Google · 30 reviews · read 4 October 2026
A 12-hour Dry Tortugas trip at $2,800, plus overnight and multi-day charters. It says it fishes only the legal, open grounds around the boundaries.
Departs: A&B Marina, Key West
Check availability -
Blind Squirrel - Key West Florida Fishing
4.7 Google · 53 reviews · read 4 October 2026
Two and three-day Tortugas fishing trips for up to ten; bait and licences provided, bring your own food, and a fuel surcharge applies. No price published.
Departs: 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd, Charter Boat Row (light tackle section)
Check availability -
Conch 'N Around Charters
4.9 Google · 65 reviews · read 4 October 2026
Fort and snorkel days ($599 a person, or $2,599 private for up to six, fuel, lunch and park fees included), and a 10-hour spearfishing trip outside the park boundaries.
Departs: 5710 US-1
Check availability
Google · 101 reviews · read 4 October 2026 Plan it like an offshore day, plus some
It is the longest day trip out of Key West: a 7 am start is common and a 10 to 12-hour day normal. Weather decides it. Laid Back says it would rather reschedule than run you 70 miles into poor conditions, and offers a rain check; Florida Straits schedules its runs for calm-weather windows. Seasickness on a long run is a real risk: see the seasickness guide. The NPS notes summer is generally calmer and wetter, winter windier.
Read for this page on 6 October 2026: NPS: directions ; NPS: fishing ; NPS: boating ; NPS: permitted tour guides ; NOAA sanctuary: Tortugas permits .
Check it at the source
- Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Sanctuary zones, marked areas and restrictions that overlay the entire Keys fishery. Link checked 6 September 2026
- FWC — Recreational saltwater fishing regulations Current state size limits, bag limits and seasons, species by species. Link checked 6 September 2026
Dry Tortugas: questions
How far is the Dry Tortugas from Key West?
About 70 miles (113 km) west, per the National Park Service. A private charter takes about two hours each way, by Laid Back Key West’s account; the seaplane takes 40 minutes each way.
Do you need a fishing license at the Dry Tortugas?
The park says a Florida saltwater licence is required unless you are under 16 or a Florida-resident senior. On a licensed charter, Florida exempts customers because the boat’s licence covers them; confirm with your operator. Private boats also need a park boat permit from Garden Key.
Can you spearfish at the Dry Tortugas?
Not inside the national park, where spearfishing and lobstering are prohibited and spears must be stowed. Conch ’N Around’s 10-hour Tortugas spearfishing trip fishes outside the park boundaries.
How much is a Dry Tortugas fishing charter?
In the 6 October 2026 read: Laid Back from $2,900 private (10 hours) or $750 a person shared; Florida Straits $2,800 for 12 hours. Park entry is $15 a person, and some operators include it.
Next step
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