Booking
How do we book?
From January through March, you can book the full day and overnight trips online on their pages. For the 3, 3½ and 4-day trips, or the rest of the year, send Captain Yuri your trip and dates with the form on this site, or call or text him at (305) 797-6396. He checks his calendar, confirms your dates and sends you a PayPal link for the deposit.
Which trips run when?
The Dry Tortugas trip runs all year, as a 3-day (48-hour), 3½-day (64-hour) or 4-day (72-hour) trip, with discounted rates from January through March. The full day and overnight trips run from January through March.
How far ahead should we book?
Early. Depending on the season, dates can fill 6 to 24 months ahead, and you can book up to two years out.
How do deposits work?
A deposit holds your trip. It's $1,000 for the full day and overnight trips and $3,000 for the 3- to 4-day trips. Captain Yuri sends you a PayPal link for it, and it's due 30 days before your trip (when you book, if your trip is sooner). You pay the balance on the day you go. If Captain Yuri cancels for weather or a mechanical problem, you can have your deposit back or move to another date; otherwise the deposit isn't refundable.
What if the weather is bad?
Call 1 to 3 days before your trip to check. A trip needs at least one fishing day with winds under 20 knots, and it's cancelled if winds over 25 knots are forecast for the main fishing day. If we cancel for weather, you get a full refund or can rebook.
The trips
What's included?
Every trip includes bait, ice, all your fishing licenses and the boat's electric reels for deep dropping. The full day and overnight trips also include food, drinks and all the tackle, conventional reels too. On the 3, 3½ and 4-day trips, bring your own food and drinks.
How many anglers can come?
Up to six on every trip. The price is for the whole boat.
When do trips leave and come back?
Every trip leaves from the Perry Marina on Stock Island. The 3-day trip leaves at 2pm and is back at 2pm on the third day; the 3½-day trip leaves at 9pm and is back at 2pm on the fourth day; the 4-day trip leaves at 2pm and is back at 2pm on the fourth day. The overnight trip runs from 9am to about 10am the next day, and the full day from about 8am to 8pm. Which days you go depends on what's already booked, and Captain Yuri confirms them with you.
What can we add?
A mate ($700, recommended for new anglers), a second captain ($700, which lets you keep a two-day bag limit in Gulf federal and state waters), and a run to Pulley Ridge beyond the Tortugas ($2,000, only with winds under 10 knots).
On board
What about meals?
Food and drinks are included on the full day and overnight trips. On the longer trips, bring your own. The galley has a stove, microwave, toaster oven and grill, and when the weather allows the captain is happy to cook breakfast and dinner, often with fish you caught that day.
What should we bring?
On the multi-day trips, food and drinks, pillows and blankets, and towels and a change of clothes. On every trip, sunscreen, rain gear, polarized sunglasses, seasickness medicine, and paper towels and zip-top bags for fillets. Pack light, since the catamaran has a load limit, and bring no more than 5 rods each.
What happens to our fish?
The dock has a covered 12-foot fillet table for up to four people and a vacuum sealer for your fillets. A professional fish cutter can also be arranged.
What about seasickness?
The catamaran's wide beam makes for a stable ride, but medication is a good idea, especially if it's windy. Meclizine or a scopolamine patch work best.
Still wondering?
Call or text Captain Yuri before you book. He'll talk the trips, the season and the fishing through with you.