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HomeFlorida-keysJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Travel Guide

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Everything you need to know β€” hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.

Overview

About John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp in Key Largo was the first undersea park in the US, protecting part of the only living coral barrier reef in North America. Glass-bottom boat, snorkel and dive trips head out to the reef, and the park also has mangrove kayak trails, small beaches and an aquarium.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Florida-keys

Insider Knowledge

Travel Tips

  • Book the morning snorkel trip, when winds and waves are usually calmest.

Nearby

Must See Attractions

Bahia Honda State Park
florida-keys

Bahia Honda State Park

Bahia Honda in the Lower Keys has some of the Keys' best natural sandy beaches, clear shallow water and an old section of the Flagler railroad bridge with a viewing platform. Sandspur Beach, Calusa Beach and Loggerhead Beach suit swimming, kayaking and reef trips.

View Details
Dry Tortugas National Park
florida-keys

Dry Tortugas National Park

About 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote cluster of islands reached only by ferry, seaplane or private boat. Its centerpiece is massive 19th-century Fort Jefferson, surrounded by clear water with excellent snorkeling along the moat wall, and seabirds galore.

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Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
florida-keys

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in this 1851 Spanish Colonial house in Key West during the 1930s. Guided tours cover his studio, gardens and the swimming pool, and dozens of resident cats, many of them six-toed descendants of his cat Snow White, roam the grounds.

View Details
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
florida-keys

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp in Key Largo was the first undersea park in the US, protecting part of the only living coral barrier reef in North America. Glass-bottom boat, snorkel and dive trips head out to the reef, and the park also has mangrove kayak trails, small beaches and an aquarium.

View Details
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
florida-keys

Mallory Square Sunset Celebration

Every evening, crowds gather on Mallory Square, Key West's historic waterfront, for the Sunset Celebration, with street performers, artists, food carts and a sweeping view as the sun drops into the Gulf. It is the town's signature free ritual and a great introduction to Key West.

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Seven Mile Bridge
florida-keys

Seven Mile Bridge

The Seven Mile Bridge carries the Overseas Highway from Marathon toward the Lower Keys, with open water on both sides for nearly 7 miles. Alongside it, a restored 2.2-mile stretch of the original 1912 Flagler railroad bridge is open to walkers and cyclists and leads to historic Pigeon Key.

View Details

Use mineral, reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on or touch the coral.

  • Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the mangrove trails if seas are too rough.

  • Bring cash or a card for the per-vehicle entry fee at the gate.

  • Common Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    There is limited shore snorkeling at Cannon Beach, but the best reefs require a boat trip.

    Opening Hours

    ParkApprox. 8:00 AM - sunset daily
    Snorkel toursTypically 2-3 departures daily, weather permitting

    Reef trips are canceled in high winds, so build in flexibility.

    Ticket Prices

    Vehicle entry (2-8 people)Approx. USD 8 plus a small per-person county surcharge
    Snorkel tour (adult)Approx. USD 40-50 plus gear
    Glass-bottom boatApprox. USD 35-40

    Prices are approximate and change; check the park concession site before you go.

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