My wife and I are flying down for a few days in the keys visiting an uncle and then a night up in Hollywood Beach in a couple weeks.  We made the trip a couple years ago.  Spent a day in Key West at the fort, on the beach, kayaking the mangroves, a day snorkeling out of Marathon and at Bahia Honda, and then a couple days working on his house in Big Pine recovering from the hurricane.  We spent an afternoon walking the shops along Hollywood Beach and listening to a band at the clamshell.

While we'd be happy repeating the trip, I'm interested in taking a trip to the Dry Tortugas.  I assume there's multiple companies offering trips.  Are any better than the others?  How's the ride there typically?  Last year going snorkeling we had some crazy waves that got most everyone on the boat sick.  I was fine but my wife didn't enjoy it.  

Open for any advice you got or other must sees down there.  Looking forward to a week alone with my wife, a rarity with 4 young kids at home.

I went to the dry Tortugas last September. It's amazing and I will go again. No matter if you boat or plane there the rules of the park only allow you 2.5hrs on the island unless your camping. So no matter what you won't feel like you had enough time to see the whole fort and enjoy the beaches. If you can do a 1 night camp out, that is the only way you will feel satisfied with seeing the Fort and enjoying all areas of the beaches. Regardless I encourage you to go and experience it. I've posted some of my pictures on Instagram @floridaonatankful if wanna see them.

Thanks, I'll check that out.  Finally got ahold of someone there and they are booked for the week we'll be there.  I'll book early for the trip back next year.

It's awesome! The reefs around that area are some of the best in the world. Some friends and I are going to camp there in June for seven days. We are going to fish, spearfish, and dive the whole time. We are taking our own boat so we will bringing plenty of provisions. We do a lot of off-the-grid adventures so we know how to pack what we want and need.

Maybe keep checking to see if they have cancelations. Not that it's the same as dry Tortugas but there are some other things like a alligator reef snorkel trip or a Fury Cruise is a fun day

Just know the laws about filing and spear fishing around the fort. I think some of that might be prohibited within certain areas.

Yes, we know the laws. Spearfishing is prohibited within the park boundary. There is plenty of relief outside of the boundary that we will be in. We are going to dive all around the fort though.

Have you camped there? I am confused that they do not take reservations and say that they will accommodate as many people that show up. Is there enough room there for everyone that might show up?

I didnt look into camping there but did see on the website they have a reservation setup for it.  Maybe I saw something different than what you're talking?

Been in the fort for a total of 32 days amongst other places.