Fort Jefferson National Monument

The main coral reef that starts in Biscayne National Park ends at the Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson National Monument is the park that protects this western area of the reef, as well as the historic fort and the tiny islands inside the park. Fort Jefferson National Monument is accessible only by boat or by seaplane, with regular trips from Key West.

Scuba diving and snorkeling are excellent at Fort Jefferson or Dry Tortugas, and you can combine your trip with a visit to the Civil War-era fort. It takes the excursion boats a few hours to get to Fort Jefferson from Key West, since it’s 80 miles out.