Key West Travel Forum

Some of my friends and I are interested in camping in the dry tortugas. Ive researched it for the past week and have answered most of my questions, but some questions remain blank.

What is the max number of nights you can camp there?

Are you limited to just camping on one island?

What areas am i allowed to spearfish?

Is the use of scuba gear permitted?
Thanks for your help!

> Are you limited to just camping on one island?

I'm not sure if you've read this PDF file --

www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/upload/campingdrto.pdf

-- but it states quite clearly "All overnight camping must take place within the Garden Keys Campground"

> What is the max number of nights you can camp there?
No limit was listed that I could find, so I guess you can stay as long as the food and water you brought aboard the boat lasts. Since you're limited to 60 lbs of gear, that won't last forever.

> Is the use of scuba gear permitted?

www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm

mentions "dive" expeditions, so it seems scuba gear is permitted. Whether it is needed at the coral reefs around Fort Jefferson is another matter. A look at the itinerary for one of the dive expeditions does not mention does not mention any scuba diving in that area.
www.drytortugasdiving.com/Itinerary/itinerary.html

> What areas am i allowed to spearfish?

www.nps.gov/drto/faqs.htm#CP_JUMP_121102

states "Neither spearfishing or lobstering is allowed in the Park."