Dry Tortugas: Fort Jefferson's moat wall under repair

If you're planning a crossing to Dry Tortugas, there's a practical detail worth knowing before you book your seat on the ferry or seaplane. Several sections of the wall that rings Fort Jefferson's moat are currently closed to the public. Here's why: those stretches were damaged by two hurricanes that swept through the region in 2024, Helene and then Milton. The park has started repairing and reinforcing the masonry, and the work is still underway as we write this.

In practical terms, this doesn't change whether you should come. The fort is still open, and the walk around the moat is every bit as worthwhile. You just won't be able to cover the entire wall while the work is going on. A few stretches are blocked off while the crews stabilize and shore up the stonework.

Once you're there, look for the signage the rangers have put up. It clearly marks which sections are open and which aren't. Barriers set off the work zones. We'd ask you to stick to them, not out of an abundance of caution, but because the stonework being repaired is still fragile and crews are working nearby. Going around a barrier means taking a pointless risk and slowing the job down.

A heads-up if you're traveling with kids: walking along the top of the wall, often a highlight of the visit for younger travelers, will only be partly possible this season. It's worth explaining that to them before you arrive, so nobody's disappointed once you're on the island.

According to the park, the repairs are expected to run through winter 2026. So things may well change before you set out. Be sure to check on access shortly before your visit. For the rest of your planning, what there is to see, how to reach the island, and when to go, it's all pulled together in the Dry Tortugas park guide.