John Pennekamp Coral Reef

Ginny Benbow

Kayaking at John Pennekamp State Park was amazing! The mangrove trails were peaceful and beautiful, with clear water and tons of wildlife all around. It felt like an adventure and a relaxing escape at the same time. The park is well-maintained, and the staff were friendly and helpful.

David Kerr (Dave)

A shorter version suitable for a Google Review could read like this: --- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is absolutely breathtaking! The staff were friendly, professional, and deeply passionate about preserving this beautiful environment. We took the snorkeling tour and were amazed by the colorful coral and sea life. The park is clean, well-organized, and offers so much to explore—from glass-bottom boat rides to peaceful mangrove kayak trails. A true Florida Keys treasure and a must-visit for anyone who loves nature and the ocean!

emperior agencia creativa

What makes this place special? The "Diving Capital of the World" Key Largo is the first and largest of the Florida Keys, renowned worldwide for its incredible underwater ecosystem. This location is a paradise for marine enthusiasts, home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park—the first underwater park in the U.S.—and key dive sites like the Molasses Reef and the impressive USS Spiegel Grove shipwreck. Beyond the water, its unique location offers access to the tropical hardwood forests of Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammocks State Park. It’s the perfect blend of seaside relaxation and serious ocean adventure. Tips for Fellow Local Guides: For Divers/Snorkelers: Mention that the Christ of the Abyss statue is a must-see. The shallow reefs are excellent for beginners and snorkelers, while certified divers can explore the deeper wrecks. Dining: Key Largo is famous for its sunset views. Advise visitors to find a bay-side restaurant (Gulf side) around sunset for the best dining experience. Fresh seafood is a given, especially the local catch-of-the-day. Accessibility: As the closest Key to the mainland, it's easily accessible from Miami (approx. 1-2 hour drive). The Overseas Highway (US-1) is the main route. Note that public beaches are limited, so water activities usually start from marinas or parks.

Joshua Gathings

John Pennekamp State Park is an absolute gem in the Florida Keys! This place is so cool, with stunning natural beauty that's perfect for sightseeing. We loved exploring the trails that wind through the lush mangroves—it's like stepping into a tropical adventure. There's a convenient boat ramp for easy access to the water, plus clean showers and bathrooms that make it super family-friendly. A food truck onsite kept us fueled with tasty bites, and the beach area is ideal for relaxing or dipping your toes in. Kayaking here was a highlight, gliding through the clear waters spotting marine life, and the walking paths are great for a leisurely stroll. It's the perfect spot to spend an entire day immersed in nature—highly recommend! 5 stars!

Leonie T

The Park was such a great experience and the perfect start to our Florida Keys road trip. We rented a double kayak and, even without any experience or navigation skills, we were able to follow the recommended route easily on our own. Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful, so we felt comfortable and safe the entire time. It’s a wonderful place to explore independently and to enjoy the beautiful nature. Just make sure to bring sunscreen and mosquito spray – there can be quite a few mosquitoes in the mangroves, but luckily the park’s own shop has you covered if you forget anything!

Araceli Cabrera

Beautiful Stop—Even Without the Tours! We stopped here during our road trip and spent a few hours enjoying the park, even though the tours were cancelled due to high waves. Despite it being a holiday (Mother’s Day), the small beach area didn’t feel crowded at all, which was a pleasant surprise. The kids had the most fun snorkeling in the shallow areas—it was a great way to spend the afternoon. There’s also a neat little aquarium at the visitor center that’s worth checking out. Entry was about \$10 total for our family of four, which felt like a great value. I’d love to come back another time to try the guided snorkeling or kayaking tours. Definitely a spot worth visiting!

Karin Martinez

I absolutely love Florida state parks. This is a fun and different addition to the list. The main thing to do here is water-related. If you’re looking for trails, this may not be for you. I did try the Wild Tamarind trail. It was short and enjoyed the many tree plaque IDs, but its so close to the people and road, there wasn’t much wildlife to be seen except lizards. I went on a Monday and was surprised to see as many ppl as there were, I imagine it’s crazy packed on weekends. There’s a small visitors center if you’re looking for AC, some little aquarium tanks and a film screening room. Right next door is the store, where you can find snorkeling and diving stuff. And in the back of the store are the showers and bathrooms. Canon beach is relatively small and people go swimming from there. The park offers charters for diving and snorkeling on the reef itself. I ended going to Far Beach area and did a little snorkeling there in the seagrass beds. Saw lots of little fish, and it was fun spying different underwater plants. I’m not a serious snorkeler and this was great for beginners. Not deep and had a fun time.

Daniela Anaya

Beautiful place to visit and enjoy the outdoors. Great spot for kayaking and paddling, peaceful, safe and full of wildlife. It’s also a fantastic spot for jet skiing, although the boat ramp is under maintenance and there’s a lot of construction going on, they managed to keep one ramp open. It’s absolutely worth the visit. Get there early so you can make the most out of your day, they close the park at sunset like most parks, and parking with a trailer is limited. Bathrooms are available and also there’s ice bags for sale. We’ll keep visiting for sure 👍🏻

Paige Lipsky

Fantastic place to snorkel and dive. There's a lot of sea life hiding along the coral. I've never seen so many parrotfish or barracudas. Someone on my boat even saw a hammerhead shark along the reef. Regardless of fish and animals - it's just a nice place to swim. The water is warm and clear.

Katy Crocker

We kayaked through the mangroves and canals with our own kayaks. Easy in and out access. We even saw an osprey nest with a baby in it. They have maps of the area so you don't get lost. Well kept park with lots of amenities. Nice clean showers and bathrooms. Interesting visitor center. We plan on coming back to bring our grandkids for one of their snorkeling tours and to spend time on the beach with them.