Best Time to Visit Dry Tortugas National Park
The best months to visit Dry Tortugas National Park are January, February, November — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. May is the crowd peak (8,643 monthly visits); October is quietest at 57% of peak.
- Sections of moat wall closed until Winter 2026 (Park Closure)
- Current Alerts and Conditions (Park Closure)
- Seasonal Closure: Bush Key (Park Closure)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Dry Tortugas month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Best window | 6,992 | 81% | 74°F / 65°F | 2.4″ | 10.8h |
| February | Best window | 6,443 | 75% | 76°F / 66°F | 1.7″ | 11.3h |
| March | Peak crowds | 7,850 | 91% | 79°F / 68°F | 2.1″ | 12h |
| April | Peak crowds | 7,835 | 91% | 83°F / 71°F | 2.6″ | 12.7h |
| May | Peak crowds | 8,643 | 100% | 86°F / 75°F | 2.0″ | 13.3h |
| June | Peak crowds | 8,091 | 94% | 89°F / 77°F | 4.3″ | 13.7h |
| July | Peak crowds | 7,445 | 86% | 91°F / 78°F | 2.2″ | 13.5h |
| August | Peak crowds | 6,431 | 74% | 91°F / 79°F | 4.3″ | 13h |
| September | Shoulder | 5,755 | 67% | 89°F / 78°F | 7.2″ | 12.3h |
| October | Shoulder | 4,965 | 57% | 85°F / 76°F | 4.7″ | 11.6h |
| November | Best window | 6,410 | 74% | 79°F / 71°F | 1.9″ | 11h |
| December | Peak crowds | 7,302 | 84% | 76°F / 67°F | 2.4″ | 10.6h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station DRY TORTUGAS, FL US (0 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
What to pack for Dry Tortugas in January
Computed from January's weather normals — Dry Tortugas's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Packable rain jacket — 2.4″ of precipitation is normal this month
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Dry Tortugas?
January, February, November rank best for Dry Tortugas on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Dry Tortugas?
May: an average of 8,643 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is October, at 57% of the May peak.
How many people visit Dry Tortugas per year?
Dry Tortugas National Park averaged 84,162 recreation visits per year over 2021–2025, per official NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
Dive into a month
Last verified 2026-09-12 · all parks