Fort Jefferson is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Key West. This massive 19th-century brick fortress is one of America’s most significant coastal landmarks, built to protect strategic shipping routes as the United States expanded into the Caribbean. It served as a vital outpost where ships could resupply, make repairs, or shelter from tropical storms while patrolling the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida.

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Set on Garden Key in the Dry Tortugas, the fort is surrounded by white-sand beaches, turquoise water, and a calming island breeze. It remains one of the most breathtaking—and remote—locations in the Keys.

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A private charter to the Dry Tortugas allows guests to experience this historic site without large tour groups. After the day-trip boats leave, you’ll have the rare opportunity to explore the fort in near solitude. The National Park Service notes that Dry Tortugas National Park is also one of the darkest natural night skies in the country, offering exceptional stargazing.

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Your adventure continues at Loggerhead Key, the largest island in the Dry Tortugas. Named for the abundant loggerhead sea turtles that nest there, the island has long been a sanctuary for wildlife. Guests can visit the historic lighthouse, learn about the former Carnegie Laboratory for Marine Ecology, and snorkel pristine reefs surrounding the island—some of the clearest, most untouched waters in the world.