Region:
Southeast
JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK
Key Largo, FL
Contact Information
P.O. Box 487
Key Largo, Florida 33037
Phone: 305-451-1202
The park is named for the late John D. Pennekamp,
a Miami newspaper editor, whose efforts contributed
to the establishment of Everglades National Park
and the preservation of what would become John Pennekamp
Coral Reef State Park.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown
365 days a year.
Driving Directions
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located
on US highway 1 at mile marker 102.5, north of Key
Largo in the Florida Keys.
ACTIVITIES
Full Facility Camping
Our campgrounds offer 47 full-facility camping sites
for both tents and RV campers. Restrooms, with hot
showers, are available as are laundry facilities.
Reservations are recommended well in advance. Campers
can register at the park entrance. Pets are not
allowed in the campground.
Beaches
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has two manmade
beaches, each with its own distinct personality.
Cannon beach is the parks primary snorkeling beach,
where you will find the remnants of an early Spanish
shipwreck approximately 100 feet offshore. Far beach,
with it’s palm trees is a relaxing place to
swim, or just sit and enjoy the sun. Any swimming
or snorkeling done outside of the designated swimming
areas is prohibited, unless a diver down flag is
properly displayed.
Boat Ramp
The park has a very good deep water boat
ramp, the ramp is located at the marina. The ramp
can handle most boats up to the 36 foot range.
Boat Tours
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has four different
types of boat tours to ensure that all park visitors
have the best opportunity possible to experience
the park's coral reef system. Glass bottom boat
tours: These 2 ½-hour tours allow for 1 ½
hours of water time to view the parks living coral
reef and its many inhabitants up close and personal.
These trips depart from the parks docks three times
a day, 365 days a year, weather permitting.
Sailing/ Snorkeling tours; Our Sailing/Snorkeling
tours depart daily aboard a 38-foot catamaran.
These four-hour tours provide 1.5 hours of snorkeling
at one locatyion on the coral reef. Tours depart
daily at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Rental equipment
is available. The park also has a dive shop which
is a PADI Resort Facility, offering a full range
of courses from Open Water through Instructor.
Scuba diving tours: These four-hour tours allow
divers two dives at a different location.
Boating
Boaters should always use caution in shallow reef
areas and when approaching any area where there
are diver down flags displayed, swimmers, or moored
boats. Always obtain a navigation chart before
departing for open water. Combustible engines
are not permitted in or near shore areas of the
park where the water is less than four feet deep.
For those boaters that do not have a boat, the
park concession maintains a boat rental where
boats may be rented for four hour and eight hour
intervals.
Boat slips and moorings are available at the marina
for overnight rental. Slips are located in the marina
and include water and electric hookups with bathroom
and shower facilities nearby. Mooring buoys are
located in Largo Sound with dingy dockage at the
marina. both include full use of park facilities,
trash disposal, and pump-out. Reservations are recommended.
For more information you may contact the marina
at 305-451-6322 or on VHF channel 16.
Campfire Circle
From mid November to early April the Park Rangers
hold a Friday night camp fire circle where various
programs on the local environment, wildlife, activities,
or local history are given in an informal atmosphere.
Canoeing
You can explore the parks 2 ½ miles of marked
mangrove wilderness trails. The mangroves, and the
crystal clear waters which surround them provide
habitat for a wide variety of birds and marine life.
Concessions
Maintains a lunch counter and snack bar. Gifts and
snorkeling equipment for the beach area may also
be obtained at the concession.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in designated areas in accordance
with Florida State Law . Saltwater fishing licenses
are required for out of state visitors. Spearfishing,
possession of spearfishing equipment, and collection
of tropical fish [by any method] is prohibited inside
the park.
Nature Trails
The park maintains two nature trails each in a uniquely
different environment. The Wild Tamarind Trail winds
through the parks beautiful tropical hardwood hammocks,
allowing visitors to view many of the areas native
hardwood species. The Mangrove Trail winds peacefully
through the mangroves and over the mangrove estuaries
allowing visitors to view this unique environment
up close and personal. Nature walks for organized
groups need to be requested in advance, if possible
to ensure that a Park Ranger is on duty for the
walk.
Picnicking
Designated areas for picnicking are located throughout
the park. Barbecue grills are provided, no ground
fires are permitted. The park has 12 pavilions for
use on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations
for the pavilions are accepted. The 11 small pavilions,
with two picnic tables each, rent for $30.00 per
day, plus tax. The large pavilion has eight tables
and rents for $50.00 per day, plus tax. None of
the pavilions are equipped with electric or water.
Whether on land or the water, please do not litter.
Scuba Diving
To fully enjoy the diving possibilities of the park,
boat trips to the reef are recommended. A new diver
or a diver that needs a refresher, finds the waters
of cannon beach a great place to hone their skills.
Snorkeling
In addition to the parks snorkeling tours, there
are areas in the park designated for snorkeling
. These areas are in a tropical lagoon and offer
a look at the various sea grass communities in the
park. In these areas there are some natural ledges
that do hold some interesting marine life, there
are also some artifacts from on early Spanish shipwreck
approximately 100 feet offshore.
Swimming
Swimming is a popular activity at both cannon beach
and far beach. the swimming areas being located
in a tropical lagoon offers a good place for the
younger swimmers to get a chance to enjoy the water.
Visitor Center
The highlight of the parks visitor center is its
30,000 gallon saltwater aquarium, the staff conducts
a fish feeding for park visitors at 11:00 A.M. daily.
There are also Six additional 100-200 gallon aquariums
which offer the visitor different looks at the parks
marine inhabitants. The visitors center also features
natural history exhibits, which interpret the parks
unique marine environment. The park has a theater
where visitors may view nature videos relating to
the park and its surrounding area. The hours of
operation are 8:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M., daily.
Youth Camping
The youth camping area is available for organized
youth groups only. The site has a fire circle, benches
and picnic tables. There is no electricity at the
site. Restrooms and hot showers are available. The
youth camping area will accommodate up to 24 people.
There must be at least one (1) adult chaperone per
ten (10) youths, and no more than one (1) adult
chaperone to three (3) youths. Chaperones must be
at least 21 years of age. Reservations for the youth
camp can be made 11 months in advance by calling
the park at (305) 451-1202. A representative of
the group must check in before 5:00 pm on the day
of arrival. All park rules and regulations apply
to this campsite.
