Loggerhead Key
Historic lighthouse crowns this island; shipwrecks and coral reefs thrive below. Day use only.
Natural Attraction
A lighthouse crowns Loggerhead Key, the largest island in the Dry Tortugas, rising from shallow turquoise reef waters 3 miles from Garden Key. Beneath the surface lie shipwrecks and vibrant coral communities, remnants of centuries of maritime traffic and natural marine ecology. Loggerhead sea turtles return seasonally to nest on its beaches, and the island once hosted the historic Carnegie Laboratory for Marine Ecology. Day use only; accessible by private vessel or kayak.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- Located 3 miles from Garden Key. Access via private vessel or kayak brought on the ferry. No public transportation. Ferry capacity for kayaks/canoes is limited—advance arrangements required. Check boating regulations and mooring buoys at nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/boating.htm.
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Coral Reef Island
Location
Sources
- National Park Service
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.