![]() ![]() In addition to being the center for booking snorkeling and boat tours, the visitor center is worth visiting to view the 30,000 gallon saltwater aquarium filled with local reef fish. The visitor center at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park You would be better off racking your bikes further south. This section of the trail is not picturesque. There are three short nature trails, the Wild Tamarind Trail, Grove Trail and the Mangrove Trail, which takes you out to an observation tower where you can view the park from a slight elevation.īicycles are good for transportation around the park from the campground with access to the paved bike trail alongside the Overseas Highway. Considerable marine life may be observed off both beaches in the seagrass beds. Snorkeling off Cannon Beach will uncover artifacts from a 1715 Spanish ship wreck, and can make a good snorkeling experience, especially for children. My choice is the more remote Far Beach, a short walk or bike ride on a paved trail. The main beach is Cannon Beach, the busier of the two, near the concession buildings. With almost everybody in the park heading out to the reefs, you pretty much have the beaches yourselves. There are two beaches at Pennekamp, both great places to relax, swim and snorkel. Occasionally you can get an RV site for $65 a night.īeaches, hiking and biking at Pennekamp State Park ROCK HARBOR MARINA, MM 97.5 Oceanside, Key Largo (305) 852-2025. Park has 60 sites, but only 7 are available for RVs and a few for tents. I did a quick tour of this campground a few years ago and would have no problem recommending it, especially the shady sites. It has 32 primitive tent sites and 171 sites with full hookups, and sites range in price from $35 (tent) to $75 (waterfront with full hookups) per night. Moon’s Florida Camping says this private campground is the best in the Keys, and it’s only a mile south of Pennekamp. KEY LARGO CAMPRGROUND & MARINA, 101551 Overseas Highway, Key Largo (305) 451-1431. Other campgrounds near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Pets are allowed in camping areas, as well as other areas of the park, but not on beaches or concession areas.Ĭonvenience stores outside the park entrance don’t carry very much, but there is a Publix Supermarket 2 miles south and a Winn-Dixie is 4 miles north on U.S. Tent campers should look elsewhere: Best Tent Camping in the Florida Keys Otherwise, you’ll be picking up the scraps from cancellations. While Pennekamp allows bookings up to 14 days, the only way you’ll get those two weeks is to make your reservation on the first day it’s available. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, and I highly recommend that you book your site the first day they become available. On my second visit to the campground in 2019, we shuffled between a couple of sites and found them a little more spacious, but still not up to the standards of other state parks.Ĭonsidering the affordable price of these campsites, $36 per night plus taxes and a $6.70 reservation fee, you can be sure they stay booked year around. While we were comfortable in my travel trailer, a group of college kids in the neighboring site slept in their cars because their tents were uncomfortable. The are decent enough, but they are too close together and the gravel pad leaves no room to pitch a tent on smooth ground. I was not impressed on my first camping experience at Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Kayak, boating at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State ParkĬampsite at Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park We list a few in our Visitors Guide to Key Largo. There are numerous private outfitters throughout Key Largo offering glass bottom boat and snorkeling tours, as well as diving expeditions. ![]() Call (305) 451-6322 for information and rates. The full gear package with the tour is $35. Certification is required, and equipment is additional. for two-location dives for $90 per person. Scuba diving trips leave the Marina at 9 a.m. Bring your own snorkel, mask and fins, or rent them ($4 fins, $4 mask, and you must buy the snorkel for $9. ![]() Snorkeling tours leave the dock five times a day for 1 to 1.5 hours water time. (Note: Those prone to sea sickness should inquire about conditions.) The tour guides are knowledgeable and the trip was fun. Glass-bottom boats are available several times a day and the tour is 2.5 hours. Snorkelers head out to the reef at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. ![]()
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