Fort Jefferson is a must-see for anyone visiting Key West. This massive brick fortress is one of the most important historical landmarks in the United States. Its original purpose was to protect this strategic sea location along the world’s busiest shipping routes as the United States expanded into the Caribbean. It also provided ships a place to resupply, repair, or seek refuge from tropical storms as they patrolled the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida.

As you stroll along the white sandy beaches of Fort Jefferson, Key West, take in the calming island breeze. This Great American landmark is located on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

A private charter to the Dry Tortugas grants guests a chance to view this historical landmark with minimum encroachment by large tour groups. Once the day-trip boats go home, you will have the opportunity of touring the fort without the crowds. According to the National Parks Service, the Dry Tortugas National Park is also one of the few naturally dark areas in the country, offering some of the best star gazing in the USA.

Explore the largest island in the Dry Tortugas, Loggerhead Key. Named for its abundance of loggerhead sea turtles, Loggerhead Key has long been a haven for wildlife. The site of shipwrecks, a significant lighthouse installation, and where the historic Carnegie Laboratory for Marine Ecology once stood. Guests can snorkel the surrounding waters, which offer some of the most pristine reefs in the world.