Pack for a remote island, not a normal attraction.
NPS says visitors must provide their own food, water and other supplies while at Dry Tortugas. There are no normal visitor services to rescue a forgotten packing list.
Bring enough for the full day and heat. What an operator provides varies.
Some private operators include lunch; Reel Paradise's current trip asks guests to bring their own food and drinks.
Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and light long sleeves are useful.
Especially useful after snorkeling or a windy ride home.
The run crosses open water. Travelers prone to motion sickness should plan ahead with their own medical guidance.
NPS warns that cell service and Wi-Fi may be unavailable, so save passes and important information before departure.
For snorkeling
Confirm whether your operator provides mask, snorkel and fins. Do not assume every charter includes the same equipment. If fit matters to you, bringing your own mask can be worthwhile.
For Fort Jefferson
Wear footwear comfortable for walking and hot surfaces. Bring a small dry bag for phone, wallet and park documents, but avoid overpacking because storage varies by boat.
For a private charter
The packing list should live directly beside the operator's inclusion list. That avoids one of the most common booking frustrations: finding out after checkout that lunch, gear, park passes or fuel are handled differently than expected.
A Key West captain's packing rule: keep it simple
For a full-day run, the items that matter most are sun protection, water, food, towels, a dry change of clothes and any personal medication you may need. Pack food and drinks before arriving at the marina; options become much more limited once the boat leaves Key West. Ask your operator what is already aboard before buying duplicate gear.
For snorkeling, confirm whether masks, fins and flotation are included. For diving, confirm certification requirements and exactly which dive equipment the operator supplies. Fort Jefferson itself does not have the normal food-and-retail services of a mainland attraction.