Key West Seaplane Adventures

This is our kind of January - what a great start to 2026.

All in all, it's not just another brick in the wall.

Fort Jefferson, built with over 16 million bricks, is the most ambitious coastal fortification ever undertaken by the United States. Initially, bricks were shipped in from Pensacola, Florida. However, after Florida seceded from the Union in 1861, supplies came from as far away as Maine. These new bricks were often of lower quality and not suited to withstand Florida’s intense heat and humidity—many were rejected and sent back.

Today, the varying colors of the bricks serve as a visual reminder of the intricate human history of Fort Jefferson.

For more information on the history of Fort Jefferson: https://www.nps.gov/drto/learn/historyculture/index.htm

NPS graphic

With less than 1% of Dry Tortugas National Park being dry ground, the best way to see this remarkable national treasure is immersing yourself in it!

Here are some swimming safety tips:

🚫 No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.
💪 Make sure to stay within your abilities.
👀 Watch children closely.
🚶 Don’t swim alone.
🌊 Beware of winds and currents.
🌿 Do not touch or stand on coral or seagrass.
🏰 Do not enter moat or dive from walls.

To learn more about swimming and other water activities at Dry Tortugas visit: https://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/swimming-snorkeling-and-diving.htm

NPS Photo Denise Diaz