John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Key Largo state park built around a coral reef, seen by snorkel tour, glass-bottom boat or kayak.

Проверено ноябрь 2026 г.

Worth the drive for anyone who wants to see a real reef without a dive certification. The trade-off: it's a full day out of Miami, and the water decides how good your visit is.

Under the water

The reef is the point here. Pennekamp is an undersea park, so most of what people drive down for sits below the surface, and the main ways to see it are snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours. Snorkeling puts you closest to the marine life, but it asks you to be comfortable in open water. The glass-bottom boat is the dry option, good for kids, nervous swimmers or anyone who'd rather keep a phone in hand. Pick based on who's in your group, not on which sounds more adventurous. Either way, the reef is why this place holds a 4.5 from about 11,000 Google reviews.

Paddling the shallows

Kayaking is the third way in, and it suits people who want to set their own pace instead of riding a tour boat. It's also the most flexible pick when your group splits between swimmers and non-swimmers: everyone gets on the water, nobody has to put their face in it. We don't have current rental prices or routes, so ask at the park when you arrive about what's running that day. Wind and weather matter more in a kayak than on a boat, so a calm day makes a real difference.

Planning the day

Treat this as a full-day trip, not a quick stop. Key Largo is the first stretch of the Keys heading south from Miami, so the drive is part of the plan, and the boats run on their own schedules. We don't have confirmed hours, tour times or fees, so check the state park listing before you leave and book any tour you care about ahead if you can. Pack for sun and salt water: towels, sunscreen, a change of clothes for the ride home. Get there early enough that one sold-out boat doesn't sink your day.

Как добраться

1. It's in Key Largo, so plan it as a full day trip from Miami rather than an afternoon stop.

Полезно знать

Hours and tour times aren't confirmed, so check the state park listing before driving down.

Что спрашивают