One of the biggest decisions when planning a Dry Tortugas trip is whether to take the Yankee Freedom ferry or fly with Key West Seaplane Adventures. This Dry Tortugas ferry vs seaplane comparison is based on what I actually chose, what I was worried about, and what I would do again.
Both options get you to the same incredible destination, but the experience is completely different. The ferry is the more budget-friendly option and gives you more time at Dry Tortugas National Park. The seaplane is more expensive, but it saves a lot of time and turns the transportation into part of the experience.
I chose the seaplane because I get very motion sick, I was nervous about the long ferry ride, and I wanted to save time during our Key West trip. And honestly, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
If you are deciding between the Dry Tortugas ferry vs seaplane, the simplest difference is time, cost, and comfort.
The Yankee Freedom ferry is cheaper and gives you a fuller day at Dry Tortugas. It takes about 2.5 hours each way and includes practical extras like a light breakfast, boxed lunch, restrooms, rinse showers, indoor and outdoor seating, and snorkeling gear.
The seaplane is the splurge. The half-day trip is about 4 hours total, with the flight taking around 35 to 40 minutes each way. It costs significantly more, but you get aerial views of the water, islands, sandbars, shipwrecks, and marine life before you even arrive.
For me, the seaplane felt like two excursions in one. You are not just getting to Dry Tortugas. You are flying over some of the prettiest water in Florida, seeing sea turtles and sharks from above, landing on the water, and then visiting one of the most unique national parks in the country.
If you are planning this as part of a short trip, my Key West 3 Day Itinerary for First Time Visitors can help you see how I would fit a bigger excursion like this into a long weekend.
I chose the seaplane for three main reasons: motion sickness, time, and the flight itself.
First, I get very motion sick. The ferry ride to Dry Tortugas is long, and I had read online that the water can be rough at times. Since the ferry takes more than 2 hours each way, I knew that if I felt sick, that was going to be a very long day.
Second, I wanted to save time. The seaplane flight is only about 35 to 40 minutes each way, while the ferry takes a little over 2 hours each way. That is a major difference when you are trying to make the most of a Key West trip.
Third, the seaplane is an excursion all by itself. This was probably the thing that surprised me most. I knew it would be faster, but I did not fully realize how much the flight would add to the experience.
We flew over shallow flats west of Key West, the Marquesas Islands, shipwrecks, sandbars, and some of the most beautiful shades of blue water I have ever seen. Along the way, we saw turtles, lots of them, sharks, dolphins, and our pilot said they even see a whale shark occasionally.
That is not just transportation. That is part of the trip.
The half-day seaplane excursion cost $527 per person when I booked. I am not the most frugal person, ha, but this was even a splurge for me.
The ferry is cheaper. When I was comparing options, the ferry was around $250 per person, while the seaplane was more than double that.
So yes, the seaplane is expensive. There is really no way around that. But for me, it was worth it, and I already want to do it again.
Prices can change, so I would double-check current pricing before building your Key West budget around either option.
Yes, but I also think this depends on what matters most to you.
For me, the cost was worth it because it solved the motion sickness issue, saved a huge amount of time, and made the travel portion feel like part of the adventure instead of just a way to get there.
The flight itself felt easy and calm. I was not nervous about the flying part, but I was curious how it would feel since it is a smaller plane and lands on the water. It was smoother than I expected.
We had very clear skies, which obviously helped, and the flight was short enough that it never felt tiring. Everyone gets a window seat, so you do not have to worry about being stuck in the middle and missing the views.
The pilot was entertaining and very kind, which also helped. It did not feel intimidating or stressful. It felt organized, relaxed, and surprisingly easy.
The colors of the water were unreal. You could see shallow sandbars, darker blue channels, little islands, and marine life moving below the surface. We saw turtles, sharks, dolphins, and so many little details I would have completely missed from a boat.
The only real con I can think of is the price. That is it. The plane ride was short, the views were wonderful, and the experience felt special from start to finish.
If you are bringing a camera or filming from the plane, a GoPro or phone on a secure strap would be helpful. You do not want to be fumbling around with loose gear when the views are changing every few seconds.
The biggest pros of taking the seaplane to Dry Tortugas are the time savings, the views, and the comfort if you are worried about seasickness.
Instead of spending over 2 hours each way getting to Dry Tortugas, you are there in about 35 to 40 minutes. That matters a lot if you only have a few days in Key West. Flying over the water also gives you a completely different perspective. You see the islands, reefs, flats, shipwrecks, and marine life from above, which makes the flight feel like part of the experience.
Another big pro of the morning half-day seaplane is that you get a quiet window on the island before the ferry arrives. On our trip, we were there from about 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM with only around 20 people on the entire island, and everyone was spread out enough that it felt even quieter than that.
Once the ferry arrived with around 150 to 175 people, the feel of the island changed pretty quickly. I would still recommend staying the whole day if you can, but if you are doing the half-day seaplane, I would choose the morning and prioritize the things you want to experience with fewer people first, especially photos, quiet beach time, or snorkeling.
The seaplane also made the whole day easier. We were back in Key West by noon, which gave us the rest of the day for lunch, the pool, a little shopping, and a sunset dinner. That would not have happened with the ferry.
The biggest con is the cost. The seaplane is a splurge, and it may not make sense for every traveler. If you are traveling with a family, the price difference between the ferry and seaplane adds up very quickly.
The half-day trip also gives you less time at Dry Tortugas than the ferry does. For me, the shorter island time was not a problem because I cared more about the full experience and getting back to Key West early. But if your top priority is having as much time as possible to snorkel, explore Fort Jefferson, swim, and relax on the beach, the ferry may make more sense.
For a full breakdown of the park itself, including what to do once you get there, read my How to Visit Dry Tortugas National Park: Everything You Need to Know.
Our half-day seaplane experience was about 4 hours total. That includes the flight there, time at Dry Tortugas, and the flight back to Key West.
The flight itself is short, around 35 to 40 minutes each way, which is a huge part of why I chose it. This worked really well for our schedule because we got to experience Dry Tortugas without giving up an entire day in Key West.
We were back by noon, which honestly made the whole thing feel easy. We had lunch, went to the pool, did a little shopping, and still made it to sunset dinner that night. If you are on a short Key West trip, that matters.
The Yankee Freedom ferry is the more budget-friendly way to visit Dry Tortugas National Park, and it gives you more time on the island than the half-day seaplane.
The ferry has a large air-conditioned cabin, indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, rinse showers, a snack bar, and includes a light breakfast and boxed lunch. Snorkeling gear is also included, which is helpful if you do not want to bring your own.
The ferry works well if your main goal is getting to Dry Tortugas for less money and spending more time there. It is also a good option if you want a more traditional day trip structure. You board in the morning, ride out to the park, spend several hours at Fort Jefferson and the beach, then return to Key West later in the day.
Based on the typical Yankee Freedom schedule, you get about 4.5 hours at Dry Tortugas before boarding for the return trip to Key West. That is still a good amount of time for Fort Jefferson, snorkeling, walking around, eating lunch, and spending time by the water.
The tradeoff is travel time. The ferry takes a little over 2 hours each way, so you spend a lot more of your day in transit. For some travelers, that is totally fine. For me, with motion sickness in the picture, that was the part I could not get past.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
The biggest advantage of the ferry is price. It is still not a cheap excursion, but compared to the seaplane, it is the more economical way to visit Dry Tortugas.
The ferry also gives you more time at the park than the half-day seaplane, which can be a major benefit if you want to snorkel, explore Fort Jefferson, walk around, take photos, eat lunch, and not feel rushed.
The biggest con is the length of the ride. The ferry takes a little over 2 hours each way, and the water can sometimes be rough. That does not mean every ride is rough, but it was enough of a concern for me to choose the seaplane.
Another thing to consider is that the ferry brings a much larger group of people to the island at once. That does not mean Dry Tortugas feels packed the entire time, but it is not going to feel as quiet or private as the morning seaplane window before the ferry arrives.
The ferry also takes most of the day. You leave early in the morning and return to Key West later in the afternoon, so you probably will not have much energy or time for other Key West activities afterward. That is not necessarily a bad thing. Dry Tortugas can absolutely be your full-day plan. But if your Key West itinerary is already tight, the seaplane gives you more flexibility.
This was the deciding factor for me.
I get very motion sick, and the idea of being on a ferry for more than 2 hours each way made me nervous. I knew I would enjoy Dry Tortugas much more if I was not spending the whole morning worrying about whether I was going to feel sick.
So I booked the seaplane, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
If you do not get seasick, the ferry may be perfectly fine for you. Plenty of people take it and love it. But if motion sickness is a real concern, the seaplane is the easier choice.
The ferry is best if you are on a budget, traveling with a larger group or family, or want the most time at Dry Tortugas. It gives you the same national park, the same Fort Jefferson, the same water, and the same beaches for much less money.
It is not just a backup option. It is a solid choice for a lot of travelers. It just was not the best choice for me.
The seaplane is best if you are short on time, prone to seasickness, interested in aerial views, or want the transportation to feel like part of the adventure. I know it is not the cheapest advice, but for a short Key West trip, I would choose the seaplane again if it fits your budget.
It also makes sense for a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday trip, or splurge day. It is expensive, but it felt memorable in a way that went beyond just getting from Key West to Dry Tortugas.
So my honest answer is this: if you are on a budget or want the most time at Dry Tortugas, take the ferry. If you get motion sick, are short on time, celebrating something, or want the most memorable overall experience, I would take the seaplane.
Whether you take the ferry or seaplane, Dry Tortugas is still a remote national park surrounded by sun, saltwater, and very limited services.
A dry bag is helpful if you are bringing a phone, camera, wallet, or anything you do not want getting wet. I would also bring a quick-dry towel, especially if you plan to swim or snorkel.
If you are snorkeling, you can use the included gear, but I prefer having my own snorkel mask as most of the time the provided snorkels do not fit me correctly and are uncomfortable. And if you are walking around beach areas or rocky spots, water shoes can make that easier.
I would also bring a refillable water bottle. I like having a Brita Water Bottle on hot trips because I drink more water when it is easy to carry around.
For more Key West packing notes from this trip, see my What to Pack for Key West in May (What I Actually Used and What I Didn't).
Yes. This was a bigger benefit than I expected.
Because we took the seaplane, we were back in Key West by noon. That gave us the entire rest of the day to still enjoy Key West instead of being completely tied up with one excursion.
After Dry Tortugas, we had lunch,, did a little shopping, went to the pool, and still made it to sunset dinner. That is a very different day than getting back around late afternoon after the ferry.
If you have a full week in Key West, this may not matter as much. But if you only have a long weekend or a few days, getting that time back can really change your itinerary.
And if you are trying to plan a sunset meal after your Dry Tortugas day, my Best Sunset Dinner Spots in Key West (And the Best Places to Watch Sunset) can help you decide what actually makes sense that night.
If you are comparing the Dry Tortugas ferry vs seaplane, I would decide based on three things: budget, motion sickness, and how much time you have in Key West.
If you are on a budget or want more time at Dry Tortugas, take the ferry. If you get motion sick, are short on time, or want the most memorable overall experience, I would take the seaplane.
The cost is the biggest drawback, and it is a real drawback. But for me, the seaplane was worth it. It was calm, easy, scenic, efficient, and honestly one of the best things we did during our Key West trip.
I already want to do it again, which is probably the clearest answer I can give.
If you end up booking anything for your trip, using my affiliate links helps support my blog at no extra cost to you. I spend a lot of time researching and writing these guides, so I really appreciate the support.
If you are flying into Key West or comparing airport options, start with Skyscanner for flights and read my Key West Airport Guide for First Time Visitors before booking.
For Key West hotels, I would compare options through Booking.com and Hotels.com. If you are still deciding which area makes the most sense, read my What Areas to Stay in Key West.
For other Key West tours and activities, you can browse options through Viator or Get Your Guide. For overall trip planning, my Best Things to Do in Key West is a helpful next step.
If this is your first Key West trip, start with my Key West Travel Guide for First Time Visitors and then build from there.
Columbus hotel roundup because “just find something downtown” isn’t a strategy✈️
I stayed across the price spectrum on this one so I could actually compare notes. Hotel LeVeque is the splurge Art Deco lobby, marble bathrooms, and a restaurant (The Keep) worth visiting even if you don’t book a room. If you want to walk everywhere, Le Méridien puts you right in the Short North with murals and shops outside your door. And if budget’s the priority, Aloft gets you clean and modern near Ohio State without the markup.
Want a full escape from the city instead? Hocking Hills lodges and Gervasi Vineyard are both an easy drive out and worth the detour.
Not every hotel on this list is for every trip... that’s kind of the point. Full breakdown by neighborhood and budget, link in bio 🍂
Thousands of motorcycles, decades of history, and one very hot infield. 🏍️
I went into Mid-Ohio Vintage Motorcycle Days expecting a bike show. What I got was closer to a small town that pops up once a year camps stretched across the hills, swap meet tables piled with parts I couldn’t name, and bikes older than some of the people admiring them parked next to restorations that looked showroom-fresh.
Fair warning: this is not a quick stop. Give yourself the whole day, wear real shoes, and don’t skip the racing watching pre-war machines and modern superbikes share the same track is worth the sunburn.
Ohio keeps surprising me. Full recap on the blog link in bio. 🔗
$165 a person and no menu, you just show up and let them decide what happens to you for the next few hours.🥂
That’s Agni. Tasting menu called Midwest Nostalgia, built around childhood food references you’ll recognize by name and not recognize at all once they hit the table. There’s a version of a McDonald’s Happy Meal in there. The fry alone takes three days to make.
Not a quick dinner. Not for someone who wants to know exactly what’s coming. But if you like handing over control for a few hours and being a little surprised at every course, this is one of the most creative meals we’ve had in Columbus. Full review, cost breakdown, and reservation tips, link in bio.
Cincinnati photo dump— Streetcars, skyline views from across the river, a hotel that’s also a 24-hour art museum, chili you’ll either love or argue about, and a food tour that made me understand the city in one afternoon. We packed neighborhoods, murals, one splurge dinner, and an underground cocktail lounge into a few days and still didn’t run out of things to do.
It’s walkable, it’s affordable compared to most city breaks, and it doesn’t get the hype it deserves.
Everything’s linked in bio where we stayed, what we ate, and exactly how to plan your own trip 🍂
A hotel that’s also a free 24-hour contemporary art museum penguins included. We booked a Corner Suite at 21c and it was massive: separate bedroom, living room, dining area, 699 square feet to spread out in. The bathroom alone had a double vanity and custom Rookwood Pottery tile that made getting ready weirdly entertaining.
The location is downtown, two minutes from Fountain Square, walkable to Boca for dinner, and close enough to hop the free streetcar into Over-the-Rhine. If OTR is where most of your plans are, you might want to stay closer to that neighborhood instead downtown worked for us, but we spent more time in OTR than we expected to.
And yes, there’s a recycled-plastic penguin sculpture that will absolutely scare you the first time you open your door and forget it’s there. Link in bio for the full review rooms, parking, walkability, and everything else before you book 🎨
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
