Dry Tortugas, Island group in Florida Keys, US
Dry Tortugas is a group of seven small islands in the Gulf of Mexico, around 70 miles west of Key West. The islands lie scattered across a wide stretch of water and are surrounded by coral reefs and shallow turquoise sea.
Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León reached the islands in 1513 and named them after the many turtles he saw. In the 19th century, the US Army built the massive Fort Jefferson on Garden Key, which later served as a prison.
The name comes from the turtles a Spanish sailor encountered here, while the "dry" was added later to warn mariners about the absence of fresh water. Today the outer islands serve as resting grounds for migrant birds traveling long routes between North and South America.
The islands can be reached only by seaplane or boat from Key West, with crossings taking several hours. Visitors should bring all necessary supplies themselves, as services on site are minimal.
Several shipwrecks lie scattered around the islands and can be seen from boats when conditions are good. The clear water often allows visibility to the bottom, where fish move between coral and old wooden beams.
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