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The seven islands of Dry Tortugas are located in the Gulf of Mexico 70 miles south of Key West Florida. With a total area of about 110 miles, only 1% is dry land. While clear, pristine waters, coral reefs, a myriad of fishes and mysterious shipwrecks can be explored in the water, the main attraction is the massive Fort Jefferson. Construction of the fort began in 1846; 16 million hand made bricks later it is still not finished. Initially the intent was to construct a base that would control ships moving through the Gulf of Mexico. It had the capacity to house 1500 soldiers yet the cannons were never fired. It was reestablished as a prison during the Cilvil War, then served as a protected area for nesting birds. Now as a National Park, visitors from across the world tour the grounds and play in the warm turquoise waters. Access is tightly controlled by the National Park Service. Typically people take the once-a-day Yankee Freedom Ferry from Key West. A second option is Key West Seaplane Adventures for either a 1/2 day or full day excursion.