Dry Tortugas / Marquesas (sp?)

Questions about places PDQ's go, field reports about where you've been, and crew requests
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amytom
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Location: Orlando, FL S/V DogHouse PDQ32009

Dry Tortugas / Marquesas (sp?)

Post by amytom »

Anyone been there yet? Any tips?

Looks like our Bahamas trip is a bust due to legal issues with kids passports. Dry Tortugas is plan B. All US property the whole way so no passports needed. Also, it may be our last chance to see it before any oil damage occurs.

Any tips or hints are greatly appreciated.

Tom
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GaryWizard
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Re: Dry Tortugas / Marquesas (sp?)

Post by GaryWizard »

I have taken several trips from Key West out to the Dry Tortugas (in charter boats & our PDQ).

Take everything you need - once you leave Key West there is no place for supplies (including water of course).
Take 2 days from Key West to the Tortugas - stop at Boca Grande or off the Marquessas the 1st day. I like the
Marquessas as you can be shielded regardless of the wind and you don't have the strong tidal flow that the
Boca Grande anchorage gets.

Get good charts of the Tortugas - it's not difficult getting in and the bottom is excellent holding. You need to anchor near
Ft Jefferson overnight, but there are all sorts of reefs that you can visit during the day. Taking one day & touring the fort
is a must and snorkeling around the moat is lots of fun with all the fish!

Good luck & have fun - it's a great sailing vacation spot!

Gary
s/v Inspiration
PDQ 36 LRC #47
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