Blue Turtle Cruising

Loggerhead Key and Little Africa, Dry Tortugas

Loggerhead Key, the largest island in the Dry Tortugas, is named for its abundance of loggerhead sea turtles with approximately 250 nests yielding 15,000 hatchlings each summer. It has also seen its share of shipwrecks. With more than 250 wrecks in the Dry Tortugas, a lighthouse was constructed in 1856 to protect mariners from the reefs. Loggerhead Key was also home of a cutting-edge marine laboratory from 1905 to 1939.

Beautiful Loggerhead Key
Beautiful Loggerhead Key
The lighthouse on Loggerhead Key
The lighthouse on Loggerhead Key
Yep, I made them stand there for my amusement :)
Yep, I made them stand there for my amusement 🙂
Beachin' it
Beachin’ it
A quick lunch on the beach and then time for snorkeling!
A quick lunch on the beach and then time for snorkeling!
GoPro view of the lighthouse
Walking across the island to Little Africa reef
Arriving at the beach (by ladder) for snorkeling
Arriving at the beach (by ladder) for snorkeling
Snorkel time!
Snorkel time!

Besides Garden Key and Fort Jefferson, this little island and lighthouse signifies that you have arrived at the Dry Tortugas! On the west side of the island is Little Africa, a large and shallow reef perfect for snorkeling. There are a couple mooring buoys you can use or you can drop anchor in the sand. We went both by dinghy and taking Blue Turtle and it’s a great place for an afternoon snorkel.

The boys begin their snorkel in crystal clear water
The boys begin their snorkel in crystal clear water
Juvenile French Angelfish
Juvenile French Angelfish
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Lovely purple sea fans were everywhere
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2 thoughts on “Loggerhead Key and Little Africa, Dry Tortugas”

  1. More great pics and a good video. Looks a little barren in the video, or is that my imagination?

    Love the 2 dinghys ….. remember, they’re your dinghys!

    Reply

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