Key Largo’s John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park remains one of the best places in Florida where you can snorkel or scuba dive. It spread across 70 nautical square miles. This park also offers unforgettable experiences like snorkeling, scuba diving, and glass-bottom boat tours to view vibrant reefs, marine life, and the iconic “Christ of the Abyss” statue. 

Out on the reef, glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling trips, and scuba dives reveal rainbow gardens of elkhorn and staghorn coral, goliath grouper, sea turtles, and more.

Planning Your Visit

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park opens every day at 8 a.m. and closes at sunset. It can only accommodate a limited number of visitors. This park also closes when it gets too full. If you have a Florida State Park pass, you get in free. If not, it costs $4.50 for one car.

The campsites fill up fast, so book early! The park has 42 camping spots you can reserve. Each spot has all the amenities such as electricity, water, picnic tables, and grills. The marina has dock spaces and floating tie-ups for people staying overnight on boats.

You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and book boat tours from the main area. For a quick meal, The Blue Heron Cafe is there.

“If you are visiting on holidays or any other event, get to the gate in the morning because parking and space are limited.

How to Get There

Reaching John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park from Miami is straightforward. Take Florida’s Turnpike south until it meets U.S. 1, then follow U.S. 1 into Key Largo. The park entrance sits on the left at Mile Marker 102.5.

Best Time to Visit

The park is enjoyable year-round, but the sweet spot is fall through spring, when temperatures dip, breezes pick up, and the land-based trails and mangrove tunnels are far more comfortable. “The beginning of October to the end of May…those cooler months have fewer mosquitoes and are just generally more pleasant,” says Kuehnert. She adds that the shoulder seasons—October and November, or March through May—offer the best mix of mild weather and fewer crowds, making them ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring before or after the peak winter rush.

Best Things To Do In Undersea Park

There are various things you can do and get an unforgettable experience that lasts longer. Take a look at some of the following options to do in the undersea park:

Go Snorkeling

Reef trips are the best experience. Why, you ask? It is one of the few places in the U.S. to snorkel and see healthy coral. “There is a huge range of soft corals, purple sea fans, and all kinds of fish to enjoy snorkeling. Snorkel boats go out four times every day to take you to the reef.

You can visit the park’s mangrove and seagrass areas. These spots are perfect for beginners or windy days when the ocean is rough. You can see baby fish swimming, bright orange sea stars, pretty sea slugs, and sea turtles swimming.

You can join hands-on activities to learn about sick coral and how to fix it by the Coral Restoration Foundation and I.CARE. You can even help plant small pieces of coral to grow new reefs.

Join A Tour

You can also enjoy glass-bottom boat trips and snorkel tours in the park multiple times, giving you about 90 minutes on the reef. These excursions are a low-effort way to appreciate the living structure beneath the waves.

Spend An Afternoon Scuba Diving

The park has a PADI 5-Star Gold Palm dive shop. There are three coral reef systems you can explore underwater. You can also enjoy the two-tank dive tours and visit two different underwater locations in one trip. If you have never dived before, you learn it from a resort course and dive the same day. You can also visit:

• The Christ of the Abyss statue stands in the park’s waters.
• It rises up from the sandy ocean floor with its arms stretched out.

Explore The Park On A Hike

While the reefs get most of the attention, there is a lot to see and do on land. You can also join three short walking trails that take you through beautiful natural areas. You’ll see on the trails:

• Tropical hardwood hammock
• Butterfly gardens
• Old fruit tree orchards

Paddle Through The Mangrove Tunnels

Paddling through the mangrove tunnels is one of the most peaceful things you can do at the park. You can rent kayaks right there, and they give you waterproof maps to follow. You can take your time and get away from the noise of cars on the highway. It feels like you are in your own private nature world.

Must-see Wildlife and Natural Features

You have a chance to see amazing animals in the water, such as 600 different fish types, 70 coral kinds, turtles, rays, and huge goliath grouper fish. If you are on the Kayakers, you will see baby fish swimming, small sharks, rays, and manatees.

You can also see animals on the land:

• Songbirds in the hardwood hammock forests
• Shorebirds and ocean birds hang out along the beaches
• Lizards running around
• Lots of interesting insects
• Many other quiet wild animals