John Pennekamp State Park is a great location to discover all the outdoor adventuring in Key Largo, whether you're boating, picnicking, cycling, paddle boarding or gathering with family for a BBQ. Our group arrived in time to catch the tail end of a triathlon and got to cheer for a few athletes. We were there to paddle and enjoy a few of their easy to intermediate water trails. The beautiful views, peaceful surroundings and just being out on the water was exactly what we came for. Entry was $8 per vehicle, plus a 50¢ per person surcharge. Our group member is a veteran so he was able to get us all in for free with his military park pass. The staff we came in contact with were super friendly and provided us a map and what to expect for the day. All in all, a great place to explore and relax when you want to experience the Keys without the sandbar flex. read more

Admission fee $4.50 ea, things to do for free - picnic, swim in the lagoon and walk on the nature trails. There is canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals in the park next to the public restroom. Double kayak for $55/4hours. It's fun to kayak in the mangrove jungle with clear water. We saw lot of fish while kayaking. There are two kayak routes, each about 1.5 to 2 hours, we were given the laminated map and kayak follow the route. remember to wear hat and bring water, as some of the routes are pretty hot. read more

Great park in the Florida Keys to spend an afternoon with the family. One of the only easy to find swimming places in Key Largo. The price to get in and park is nominal and there is plenty to see and do for the day. You can swim in the lagoon and walk on the nature trails. If you want to spend a little more money, you can go on a boat ride or rent a kayak/paddle board. We saw a fair amount of wildlife including tropical fish, birds, and lizards. We brought in food from the local Publix and made it a full afternoon. read more

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We visited here Monday Februrary 1, 2026. Located at mile marker 102.5 Key Largo near the northern end of the Florida Keys (mile marker 0 is on Key West). This is a multi-use Florida State Park. There is a visitor center w/ a 30,000 gallon aquarium & other educational resources. The park has a concession stand, general store (picnic, watersports, ice, etc), restrooms, dive shop, a swim beach, snorkeling tours & rentals, scuba tours, kayaking & rentals, paddleboarding & canoe rentals, & glass bottom boat tours. Also short hikes. Handicap/wheelchair access is available on tours. Open everyday 8am-sunset, visitor center & concessions 8am-5pm. Lots to do here for a family day adventure. Thank you to the staff. Nick & Liz, Albany, NY, USA read more

Entrance fee is nominal and for the four of us only cost ten dollars. Ample parking in several lots depending upon what your activity schedule is. We went snorkeling at the primary parking area beach and took advantage of the small aquarium that showcases some of the likely sea life one might encounter. A park from the 1960's that in structure has remained relatively unchanged. An easy place to spend several hours for exploring. Only request...... in the 1970's I had a t-sheet that read "John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park The Moray see you, the moray love you" I was hoping to replace this shirt, so please bring it back. read more

John PenneKamp Coral Reef State Park, was a fun experience with the family. We went over the weekend, and to our surprise it was not crowded on a Sunday. John PenneKamp Coral Reef State Park, is definitely a fun addition to your vacation or pitstop to the keys. The beach front, is quite small. Please note that this is not a sandy beach front. I do recommend you wearing swimming shoes, as there are alot of rocks in the water that are very sharp. Fun for those who like to snorkel, kayak and canoe. There are also Reefs tours, you can book! Overall, we had a lovely time and will be back, with the kids. read more

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This is such a great experience! There is a great coral reef about 30 minutes away from Jon Penny camp. You get on a boat, you load up and drive out to the reef and then snorkel for over an hour. The captain and the meat were outstanding and the experience was amazing! The water is crystal clear! read more

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I almost put a four just because of the seaweed, but that isn't the fault of the park at all, and I could see that without the seaweed the potential here would've been endless. I did the snorkeling tour and rented a kayak. What a great place to explore in a kayak. The mangroves are beautiful and unique. I ended it with a hike along the mangrove Boardwalk and would absolutely suggest to anyone that you do the same read more

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A nice park to spend a day at. We did kayaking, the beach and the snorkel boat. Everything was decent. read more

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Great fish sighting experience. Guides were very knowledgeable and could name every fish. Boat was nice and cool.

Needed to stop and let the dog out. So glad we stopped here. What a nice park. We walked along the waterfront, and enjoyed the wind and ocean. The dog had a nice walk and the fresh air did us all good. We didn't stay long enough to really warrant the cover charge, but we will next time. read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

Interesting place with lots of history and plenty of things to see and explore. The beach area was rather pleasant and I enjoyed visiting the tiny aquarium. read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Visiting and tried to snorkel. Too windy. - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

The Spirit of Pennekamp glass bottom boat was great. The view of the coral reef was wonderful.

The old gentlemen named Tom who was working in the boat rental building was very rude and disrespectful. He took a very long time to accomplish anything and gave me attitude for no reason. read more

Their education center is amazing! Loved sitting with book and taking in the view! Wouldn't recommend June for water activities as it felt more like a hot tub but hey, that's just nature! Still had a nice time! read more

Unless you have a tour or is looking to rent a kayak or something here, I don't think it's worth the entrance fee to come here. I would skip it if you are going to Key West. I stopped by this place thinking I'll see something really different and special at the coral reef park, but to my disappointment, nothing special on the beach. You'll see the same kind of fish at Key West if not more. Staff here are really nice but again not impressive enough worthy a stop to see similar stuff further down at Key West. read more

Our captain had 35 years of experience and his coworker is an experienced diver. Wow! We did the snorkeling trip. It was fun! The employees running the boat were personable and highly experienced. I was surprised and happy too. I like to go here in February when the air is 80 and the water is 75. Great trip, very reasonable, safe, fun. read more

Nice, moderately sized state park, located in Key Largo. Requires entry fee but allows for full park access that includes access to the waterfront, boat ramp, Campground, and a small aquarium. Beautiful view of the water and plenty of are to walk. Can be accessed by bike, car, or on foot. State park pricing in effect. Great birdwatching venue. A nice stop if you're in the area. read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

The dive shop here is fantastic, and the diving is incredible. Art B. And Capt. Dan are the best. My wife got her open water and I added my Nitrox cert. Could not ask for a better instructor and guide than Art. He's incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and fun. We had a blast and saw tons of sea-life. I'm so glad we chose this place. We'll come back again and again!! read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Lots of Turtles!! - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

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This was such a fun place to come visit. Super hidden and random when you're driving to key largo. They have paddle boards, kayaks for rent. They also have beach area to set up towels and hang it in the water. There are definitely animals in the water so I would be aware of that but definitely must try place! Make sure you bring your own food and snacks so you can relax there . G read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

I highly recommend a visit to this park. Absolutely amazing time they have many amenities and options and its well staffed, clean and patrolled. read more

Opt for snorkeling trip with Art snd Capt Dan. They are laid back but informative and we felt secure in their hands. We were first boat to reach Grecian reef (two came later). You are able to explore on your own with three horn blows to return you to boat. Art also helps out beginners with tips. Outstanding trip. For non swimmers, the glass bottom 2 hour tour is pleasant. We saw several fish (but snorkeling tip way better). Sedona, boat scientist, is informative and open to questions. Entry to park $9 for car/two adults. Trips ran about $60 pp. equipment extra. read more

My first trip to this fascinating place was in 1977. I had just finished a rough go in summer school at Texas A & M, and needed a vaca bad. In high school I had learned to scuba dive and in the three years since had spent every warm day finding water to jump into. Lakes, streams, rivers, gulf waters,it didn't matter. The one thing I hadn't done yet was dive on a coral reef. So I decided to rectify that and head for the Florida Keys. I had been there in the 1960s as a kid and was mesmerized. Partially because as we drove through that paradise,over the bridges with the emerald green waters stretching to the horizon, Flipper was on my mind. Yea, I loved that show and it was the stuff dreams are made of. So I packed the car with camping paraphernalia, scuba equipment, 2 tee shirts, a swim suit and one pair of blue jean shorts. Are you still with me? I left Dallas angling south towards Florida. Camping my way the entire time,looking for water to fall into with the marvelous privilege of breathing while underwater. The first knock-your-socks off-site was the Ocala National Forest in central Florida. Wow,I simply could not believe that I could drop into the pristine natural habitat and explore. Swimming through the crystal clear water with bass, alligators and turtles was unreal. However.. This post is on Pennekamp State Park. I finally made it to Key Largo after many memorable stops and diving adventures in Florida. I quickly found a Dive boat service and scheduled what was to be my very first tropical coral reef dive. For the sake of brevity, I'll just say it's one of my top 5 memories ever. The attached photo all faded and dog-eared is decades old. My very first Underwater ocean picture I had taken. The Subject was a blue parrot fish on Sombrero reef. Wow. I'd like another wow in my life like that day. I've since explored waters all over the world but this one is dear to my heart. I've returned several times over the years,shocked at the deteriorating condition of the Florida barrier reef in Pennekamp park. All I can do is urge everyone to remember they have an impact on these fragile environments. read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Parrot fish on Sombrero Reef John Pennekamp State Park Florida 1977 - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

Not many state parks have affordable entrance. Entrance was $4.50 a person. There are two trails and one leads to a Citrus Grove. There are Key Lime Trees, Mangos, Avocados to name a few. The visitors center has a small aquarium and you can learn all about the Florida Keys Mangroves. You can also rent Kayaks and there's a small beach where you can snorkel. There is also a glass bottom boat and diving tours you can purchase for an additional fee. I had a great time. Would definitely recommend. read more

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We did a 1:30pm snorkeling tour which we booked the previous day on site. This tour was on a Friday afternoon, it took us about 15 minutes waiting in line to get into the park where you pay 9.00 if you have two people in a vehicle. I believe the tour was about $140.00 for 2 1/2 hours - you buy our own snorkel and rented masks and lifejackets. Snorkels range from $10-$20 depending on the type you want. I would recommend getting the green one. We were on a boat called the Sundance with Captain Ed and Lucas. Both were very friendly, and Lucas is a Navy seal, so he would be your rescue person if something were to go awry. You are taken about 5 or 6 miles out and then you are allowed to snorkel for about an hour. The rest of the time is informational and safety protocol. I have been snorkeling once before, and my husband has not. It can be a bit intimidating at first so if you wait until everyone else jumps in (including the seven-year-olds) you may feel a little less anxious. They talk to you about current and how you need to stay close so that you can make your way back and not drift off too far. This coral reef is a big area. They took us to the one that's about 20 to 25 feet deep (not the Christ statue one). I hopped in and saw several different fish including a barracuda. There were people commenting on how they saw a bunch of bull sharks and an eel. I actually got a little bit seasick, so I cut it short and got back onto the boat and enjoyed the rest of my time there. It was a beautiful day and they kept commenting on how it was the most perfect day to snorkel, so I'm glad to have been a part of it. They also commented on how this reef was a better spot than any other reef in the US. Once you finish, they gather everybody up and takeoff back to shore where there are outdoor showers and changing rooms available for use. The water was very salty and I couldn't wait to rinse off. I highly recommend doing that. Next time I will try to be out in the water longer to take full advantage of what nature has to offer. I would recommend these tours as they are professional yet fun, and you feel very safe. read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Snorkeling - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

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Cannon Beach in the John Pennekamp state park is a smallish beach for snorkeling with your own equipment or can be rented . Swimming and just relaxing . Very shallow water . read more

Loved our day there. Highly recommend the jet ski tour. Beautiful and exciting traveling through the beautiful blue water of the keys. We even got to see a school of dolphins traveling by us - up close. read more

This is a great place to visit for the day and not too long from Miami, but you need to plan your visit. The top activities are hanging out at the beach, kayaking, and snorkeling boat trips. If you go to the beach, bring a snorkel or you can buy one at the concession. You can snorkel around a shallow area and see the replica of the remains of a Spanish shipwreck. One time I saw a manatee swim right by me and there are plenty of fish, so keep an eye out for marine life. Kayaking here is nice and has a mix of open water and tight passageways through the mangroves. Boat trips need to be timed properly and make sure you plan ahead or make reservations during busy days (school vacations and druing the winter tourist season). The boat will take you to one of a few different reefs depending on the conditions at each and give you about an hour to snorkel around. There are outdoor showers and bathrooms with changing curtains. The gift shop has snacks, clothing, and towels, but the snacks are very limited, so plan to eat elsewhere or bring your own food and cooler. read more

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If you're thinking about going on a snorkel trip, I recommend going in the morning to avoid the typical bad weather which invariably occurs during SoFlo's afternoons. We reserved the 0900 trip and filled out all the waivers online as well as purchasing needed fins. When we arrived (the recommended hour early) we checked in with no problem and pretty soon we boarded the Encounter with Capt. Adam. Highly satisfied and impressed with Capt. Adam's professional and calm stature. Since the weather was in our favor, we snorkeled at the Christ of the Abyss. Again, weather is key and go early! This activity requires a bit of before-hand preparation to make your trip fun and enjoyable! read more

Really great, affordable place to "chill" by basking in the sun! A park that has it all (beaches, walking trails, kayaks, clean bathrooms, changing rooms, showers and concessions and supplies) is a rare find. I would say "a gem" but then, being seaside, I might want to say "pearl" and by then who cares!! Point is-it checks all the boxes. Total was $9 for two of us to enter on a sunny December afternoon. There was plenty of parking and sand to share. We explored the mangrove groves, watched some folks reel in a mini barracuda at one of the secluded fishing spots and others snorkel near the rocks. Relaxing afternoon! read more

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Went here for a day trip snorkel tour and had fun. We called a few weeks ago for a reservation for a snorkel tour. On our way to the place, they called us due to bad weather, unfortunately they cancelled the tour. Even though this was a little disappointing, I was impressed by how they handled the situation by thinking of the safety of the people over the money. They offered us for a full refund or a reschedule. Fast forward to 2 weeks later, we rescheduled our snorkel tour and glad the weather cooperated this time. I do suggest going to the site early, as lines to get in can get long. There were four of us in the car and we paid $10 for entrance/parking. Price will vary depending on how many people inside the car. They have gears for rent as well so if you don't have some snorkel gear like us, then you can rent them here for a reasonable amount. The entire tour lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes but time flew by so fast that if felt shorter than that. I guess time flies when you are having fun. They also have other activities such as kayaking and Stand up paddle board. read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

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If you are looking to float and relax this isn't the place. If you're looking for an adventure and to snorkel this is it! It cost about $8 per car or $2 pp you can scan the QR code to see a map. They have two beach areas, a kayak launch and boat ramps. A souvenir shop and a small restaurant. The restroom was clean and there was adequate parking! You can explore the aquarium/ information center which is included with admission. They have a few walking trails but the highlight for us was at cannon beach there is a mock ship wreck. It was so fun to snorkel out there and see tropical fish and sunken cannons and an anchor. You can purchase snorkel equipment on site in the shop but we brought our own and wore a life jacket to relax out there it was fun(water shoes are recommended)! You can also take a glass bottom boat ride to go further out to see other things in the water. Overall we enjoyed our time at this park. read more

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Wanted to get in a quick snorkel. Got there and we noticed the water and air smelled like sulfur and I decay. Not sure if it's because coral died from warm water this summer. Then we saw the sign about the bacteria so we decided to skip getting into the water. Next time- take a boat out to snorkel! read more

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Snorkelling trip was fantastic! Saw lots of fish and coral! Would definitely recommend this trip to whoever liked adventure!

Nice state park with nice views. There are a few beaches to go swimming in but no lifeguards. There's also a small aquarium. You can also rent a kayak or take a ride on a glass bottom boat. There's also a good truck and plenty of tables if you bring your own food to eat and take in nature. It's $4/person to enter. read more

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One of my favorite places to go out on a boat. Clear waters, peaceful time to explore and enjoy family. read more

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This was such a great experience!! We were able to take our boat out since this place has a marina and a boat ramp. Staff were insanely kind and welcoming. We were only charged $20 for entrance which included the boat and trailer parking. The mangroves were also stunning! We visited the Christ of the Abyss and Coral reef, which are a must if you're in the area. We got lucky since they get filled pretty quickly and have limited space available for boats. read more

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Was able to take the boat out and visit the Christ of the abyss and the reef - Parks Near Me - Key Largo, Florida

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Many of the reviews you see of John Pennekamp are of the parts on land, but truth is, their claim to fame is the 70 square miles of park land over and under water, including the last living reef in North America. Lots of great spots for picnicking, beautiful views, a free aquarium and boat rentals, scuba and snorkeling tours, and kayak/SUP rentals. This place is terrific and the icing on the cake are the snorkel tours. I have been 4 times, two of which got to see a nurse shark while enjoying the reef. Nothing to fear as the nurse shark is the couch potato of the ocean and not dangerous, but still gives a special thrill to be in the open water swimming with a shark, piranha, and a large variety of tropical fish. Highly, highly recommended to visit the park and go on a snorkel tour. Insider tips: (1) buy your own snorkel equipment before going. Either it is your first time and you will want to practice Ina. Pool ahead of time, or you are a repeat snorkeled who needs their own equipment anyway. You can buy it for what it will cost to rent. (2) try code 25%off when purchasing tickets on the website. Worked for me as of March 2023. read more

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Still waiting for my refund for cancelled trip. They are quick to cancel, slow to refund.

Went early on a Sunday morning and there was a line to get in. It cost $10 for 4 people which I thought was awesome. We went to the aquarium in the visitor center which was small but came with the cost of admission. It gave a good background information about the park. We chose to go to Canon Beach which is right near the visitor center and had restrooms and plenty of parking. Definitely bring a snorkel as there is a Spanish Shipwreck and alot of sealife floating around. read more

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