Dry Tortugas
Garden Key · Loggerhead Key
SW Florida, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
Prime summer conditions with 82-86°F water temps and manageable 14-16mph winds through the weekend. Morning bite window before afternoon convection is the play — bonefish active on interior flats, resident permit working deeper grass edges around the fort, and tarpon rolling in the adjacent channels. The 70-mile run from Key West requires calm seas, making seaplane access the reliable option when afternoon storms build.
- Tide: Morning sessions 6-11am before afternoon storms. Calm seas early week, building chop Friday-Saturday with convection.
- Targets: Bonefish on interior flats, resident permit on sand/grass edges, tarpon rolling channels near fort structure.
- Water Temp: Peak summer 82-86°F range — perfect for all three species but narrows morning bite window before heat stress.
- Best Window: Dawn through 11am before convection builds. Seaplane access most reliable with afternoon storm potential.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Coastal Flats
- Best months: Mar–May (peak permit migration); year-round permit
The Dry Tortugas — a remote cluster of islands 70 miles west of Key West — hosts what many consider the finest permit fishing in the world. The shallow coral sand flats surrounding Fort Jefferson and the surrounding keys produce year-round permit, with a particularly dense spring migration in April and May. Bonefish and tarpon also inhabit the flats, and the complete absence of pressure in this national park setting adds to the appeal.
The Dry Tortugas spring permit migration in April–May is considered by many guides to produce the highest density of permit encounters per day of any fishery in the Florida Keys system.
January Outlook
January at the Dry Tortugas offers excellent permit fishing on the remote flats surrounding Fort Jefferson. These fish are less pressured than any permit flats in Florida. The remote setting — 70 miles from Key West accessible only by seaplane or fast boat — ensures the fish have seen few flies. Bonefish are on the interior sand flats.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab (tan/olive)
- Del Brown Permit Fly
- Gotcha (bonefish)
- EP Spawning Shrimp
Tips
Access is by Yankee Freedom ferry, seaplane, or private/charter boat. The ferry allows fishing day trips but stays overnight are best for serious anglers. January weather can include fronts. The flats around the western side of Loggerhead Key are protected on northeast winds.
Water Notes
Water 72-76°F. Winter cold fronts occasionally affect the Tortugas. Protected flats fishable in most conditions. Permit and bonefish year-round.
February Outlook
February delivers excellent remote permit and bonefish fishing at the Dry Tortugas. Fish are concentrated and less pressure from the limited access makes them more willing. Large permit are regularly caught on the flats. A memorable winter destination for serious flats fishers.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab (large)
- Del Brown Permit Fly
- Gotcha (#4 bonefish)
- Spawning Shrimp
Tips
February weather windows are a factor for the 70-mile run from Key West. Monitor conditions and plan the run for early morning calm. Once there, the remote flats more than justify the trip. Permit average 15-25 lbs and see very few flies — aggressive presentations work well.
Water Notes
Water 72-76°F. Best to go with the seaplane for guaranteed access in questionable weather. Permit and bonefish excellent on the protected western flats.
March Outlook
March is the start of excellent permit fishing at the Dry Tortugas. Fish are beginning their pre-spawn movements and congregate on the sandy flats around the fort and loggerhead key. Less crowded than the Keys mainland.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab
- Del Brown Permit Fly
- EP Crab
- Spawning Shrimp
Tips
Access by seaplane or fast boat from Key West (70 miles). Day trips or overnight camping. The flats around Fort Jefferson are shallow and clear. A guide is strongly recommended for first-time visitors.
Water Notes
Water 74-78°F. Generally calm in March. Permit are the primary target.
April Outlook
April is peak permit season at the Dry Tortugas. Large pre-spawn fish are concentrated on the remote flats in numbers rarely seen elsewhere in Florida. The grand slam with bonefish and tarpon is achievable.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab (tan/olive)
- Del Brown Permit Fly
- Black Death (tarpon)
- Gotcha (bonefish)
Tips
The permit fishing here is considered some of the best on Earth. Fish are less pressured than the Keys. Tarpon school near the fort walls in April. Bonefish on the interior flats.
Water Notes
Water 78-82°F. April is the finest month for weather and fish. Calm mornings with light afternoon easterlies.
May Outlook
May continues the exceptional permit fishing as spawning aggregations form on the deeper reef edges. Tarpon are present through the permit run. One of Florida's great bucket-list fishing destinations.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab
- Tarpon Toad
- Del Brown
- Spawning Shrimp
Tips
May permit at the Tortugas congregate in large groups near the reef edges adjacent to the sand flats. Multiple shots at large fish per day is realistic. Bring extra flies — permit eat gear.
Water Notes
Water 80-84°F. Afternoon convection begins. Morning fishing is most productive.
June Outlook
June at the Dry Tortugas brings summer conditions — heat, afternoon thunderstorms, and the transition from the spring permit season. Bonefish are year-round residents on the flats. Resident permit remain on the deeper grass edges. Tarpon are in the channels adjacent to the fort. The remote access keeps pressure extremely low year-round. Morning fishing before afternoon convection is excellent.
Productive Patterns
- Gotcha (bonefish)
- Merkin Crab (resident permit)
- Tarpon Toad (channels)
- Del Brown
Tips
June at the Tortugas: morning permit on the deeper sand and grass edges, bonefish on the interior flats, and tarpon rolling in the channels near the fort. Access by seaplane is recommended in summer when seas can be rough for the 70-mile boat run.
Water Notes
Water 82-86°F. Summer heat and afternoon storms. Morning fishing 6-11am. Seaplane access most reliable. Remote flats still productive.
July Outlook
July is the low season at the Dry Tortugas. Afternoon thunderstorms are daily and the 70-mile boat run from Key West can be rough. Seaplane access remains reliable. The bonefish and resident permit are year-round. The fort and national park receive fewer visitors in summer making the flats exceptionally quiet. Those who make the trip find excellent fishing.
Productive Patterns
- Gotcha (small, summer bonefish)
- Merkin Crab (resident permit)
- Tarpon Toad (channel tarpon)
- Crazy Charlie
Tips
July at the Tortugas means planning around weather windows. A seaplane booking ensures access regardless of seas. Early morning fishing on the sand flats around Loggerhead Key for bonefish is outstanding. Resident permit are on the grass edges adjacent to the deep channels.
Water Notes
Water 84-88°F. Summer peak. Afternoon storms. Seaplane access recommended. Bonefish and resident permit year-round.
August Outlook
August at the Dry Tortugas is the quietest month. Hurricane season creates booking flexibility requirements and the 70-mile ocean run requires calm weather windows. Seaplane access is most practical. The bonefish and resident permit remain throughout the summer. The remote flats with zero fishing pressure are extraordinary for those who visit.
Productive Patterns
- Gotcha (bonefish)
- Del Brown (permit)
- Tarpon Toad (resident tarpon)
- Crazy Charlie
Tips
August at the Tortugas: flexible trip planning is essential. A seaplane booking with a refundable cancellation policy works best. Hurricane season — monitor forecasts. The upside: the flats and fort are near-deserted. Your biggest challenge is the weather, not fishing pressure.
Water Notes
Water 86-88°F. Hurricane season peak. Seaplane access most reliable. Very low visitor pressure. Morning-only fishing.
September Outlook
September transitions toward fall at the Dry Tortugas. Hurricane risk decreases as the month progresses. Conditions improve noticeably in the second half of September. Permit are beginning to aggregate on the spring-fall pattern. Bonefish remain year-round. A late September trip can offer excellent fishing with very low pressure.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab (permit, late month)
- Gotcha (bonefish)
- Del Brown
- Tarpon Toad
Tips
Late September at the Dry Tortugas as summer transitions: permit are actively feeding on the flats before the fall migration. The seaplane provides reliable access regardless of sea conditions. By late September weather windows are opening and the fishing quality is rising rapidly.
Water Notes
Water 82-86°F and cooling. Hurricane risk reducing. Conditions improving mid-to-late month. Fall season building.
October Outlook
October brings excellent permit and bonefish fishing back to the Dry Tortugas as conditions return to those of spring. The fall migration brings large permit back to the flats. Tarpon are in the channels. This is an excellent time to visit before the November-December crowds return.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab (large, fall permit)
- Del Brown
- Gotcha
- Tarpon Toad
Tips
October at the Tortugas: permit are actively migrating back through the area and concentrating on the flats. Large fish are present and aggressive. The fall condition is very similar to April. A genuinely excellent month.
Water Notes
Water 80-84°F and cooling. Excellent fall conditions. Permit and bonefish in excellent numbers. Fall season building.
November Outlook
November offers good permit and bonefish fishing with comfortable temperatures. The flats are less crowded than spring. A pleasant time to explore this remote National Park on foot as well.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab
- Gotcha
- EP Spawning Shrimp
- Crazy Charlie
Tips
Fall fishing at the Tortugas is excellent and uncrowded. Bonefish are large and feeding actively. Permit are present but concentrated near the reef edges rather than the shallows.
Water Notes
Water 78-82°F. Northeast trades building but manageable. The remote setting makes this worth the trip.
December Outlook
December at the Dry Tortugas is excellent for permit and bonefish. The remote flats are very lightly fished and large permit are present. The camp at Fort Jefferson (operated by the National Park) allows overnight stays. The 70-mile run from Key West is best done in calm morning conditions. A remarkable late-season destination.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab (winter permit)
- Del Brown Permit Fly
- Gotcha (bonefish)
- EP Spawning Shrimp
Tips
December weather at the Tortugas can be excellent between fronts. Plan around the forecast for the 70-mile run. Once there, the permit fishing on the remote flats is some of the finest in Florida. Overnight camping at the fort allows multiple days of fishing without the daily run.
Water Notes
Water 74-78°F. Winter cold fronts possible. Protected flats fishable between fronts. Permit and bonefish excellent. Remote and uncrowded.
Access & Approach
Accessible only by seaplane (40 min) or high-speed ferry from Key West (2.5 hrs). Dry Tortugas National Park camping permits required for overnight stays. A private boat is ideal for fishing the outer flats. Florida saltwater license required.
Regulations & License
Fishing in Florida requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Florida fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Dry Tortugas conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
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