"Ventana Tortugas" Limited Edition Print Run of 20

Key West Florida Pictures

Every National Park is different, but Dry Tortugas National Park is truly unique.

It’s home to Fort Jefferson, the largest masonry structure in the western hemisphere and the second-largest naval fort built by the US, it rests on a small atoll in the Gulf of Mexico, just a 3-hour boat ride from Key West. I've visited twice, each time captivated by the contrast of military architecture against the lush tropical setting.

During your visit, you can snorkel and swim around the abandoned jetties and barriers between the Fort and the expansive ocean.

With little shade available, even on partly cloudy days, the sun dominates, bleaching the sand, casting glittering reflections on the water, and merging the horizon with the sea.

It’s one of the least visited parks in the United States NPS. The coolest part? The rainwater collection system designed to supply the soldiers with water has started to decay and leak into the fort. As you walk through the empty passages, you can find cave formations beginning to form - stalactites and stalagmites.

"Ventana Tortugas" is a was taken on a guided trip to Dry Tortugas with 5 close friends. While there, I was on the hunt for key west beach photos. We chatted and looked out for turtles and flying fish on the boat ride over. On the island, we wandered the Fort Jefferson structure. Most of our time was spent in the water, avoiding jellyfish, discovering stingrays, and marveling at the sea life and coral.