Tortugas North Access Permits

Visitors wishing to stop in the Tortugas North section of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve or tie up to the reserve’s mooring buoys must obtain a free, no-paperwork entry permit by calling sanctuary’s Key West office at 305-809-4700. Permits must be requested at least three days, but no longer than one month, prior to planned entry into the reserve. The maximum duration of any permit is two weeks.

Stopping in Tortugas North without a permit is not allowed. Permitted visitors to Tortugas North must use one of its 12 mooring buoys. Anchoring is prohibited. Diving and snorkeling are allowed.

Vessels may enter Tortugas North without an access permit only if they remain in continuous transit with fishing gear stowed, meaning that the gear is not available for immediate use.

Vessels may not stop in the Tortugas South section of the Tortugas Ecological Reserve but may pass through the area without interruption.

Apply for a Tortugas North Access Permit

To obtain a free, no-paperwork access permit, call the sanctuary’s Key West office at 305-809-4700. You will be asked to provide information on the vessel, vessel operator, number of divers, and proposed dates to be in the reserve.