Last year my wife and I went down and did Southern Florida. We went to three National Parks. The Everglades, Key Biscayne National Underwater Park, and Dry Tortugas National Historic Park. We also made stops all up and down the keys. We spent some good time down in Islamorada and Key West too.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that two months later we did it all again. This time with four of the youngens.

One of the highlights was John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. We did this place both times we went.

The primary reason we went is because my wife and I have become snorkeling fanatics! John Pennekamp gave us two great days of underwater fun.

If you come to this park, and even have never snorkeled before, there is no better place to do it.. DON'T WIMP OUT!!!I will explain in a bit.

For some great detail about this park be sure to read Jo's review at Jo.com's thorough but WIMP OUT review The only problem is she WIMPED OUT and never snorkeled. She did do the glass bottom boat so go to her for that info and much more detail.

SOME BASICS

This park was the first underwater park in the US. It has much to offer. The entrance fee is $2.50 per first two people and .50 for others in the vehicle. Everyone must pay the entrance fee. All other payment and fees in the park go to private concessions. The park opens at 8am and closes at sunset. It's the same for the Visitors Center and concessions. The park can be found at mile marker 102.5 on the east side of route 1 just north of Key Largo. Ha, you can't miss it if you look for the XXX market on the opposite side of the road from the entrance. Sorry, but that store is just in the wrong place.

THE BEACH

After entering you will find a huge parking lot on the left at the head of the beach. You may have to walk a bit. Drop offs and pick ups were done at the beach itself. The beach was crowded, felt overused, and didn't offer any good off shore snorkeling. It is a good place however for beginners to check out their snorkeling equipment

THE VISITORS CENTER

This is quite a nice building. It's also air conditioned if you need to get a break from the heat. In it is a huge 30,000 gallon aquarium. It features many different salt water fish. It's a great place to bring the kids for a half hour break from the beach. There is also a short educational film. This is a state park so you won't hear my passport pitch I do on my National Park Reviews.

THE MAIN CONCESSIONER

This is where all the activity is happening. Lines are inside the building for making reservations for snorkeling outings, glass bottom boat trips and the like. People are also buying gear, snacks, Dramamine, souvenirs and anything else you can thing of.

SNORKELING RESERVATIONS

Wait in the semi-orderly lines to make your reservations. ID was necessary for my wife and I. Our kids did not come on either snorkeling excursion, though I wish they had. I believe this outfit gave the best instruction to people, young and old, than any other place we have been to. Experienced snorkelers, don't be put off. The beginners will not hold you back.

The cost was 26.95 per adult and $21.95 for 18 and younger. There were two different boats going out that day for the two and a half hour trip. You can call for reservations but must be at the office about a half hour before departure. Leave more time for yourself. The process is a bit slow. Not because of the workers, but because snorkeling is new to many visiting the park and many questions were being fielded.

You can rent fins and masks. Together these are two dollars. A snorkel may be rented too. This is two dollars, but, you keep it.

QUICK RECOMMENDATION

I suggest getting your own snorkel ahead of time. I believe it's worth getting a better quality snorkel than the ones they give. These are a bit short and they don't stop water from coming in. With better snorkels if the water comes in it is stopped and then you just blow it out. Have beginners practice in a pool or at the beach.

GOING OUT

I was impressed at the order in which they moved the people on and off the boats. Bring bare minimums onto the boat. They do sell water and sodas. I suggest maybe an energy bar or something light if you feel you must eat in this two and a half hour period.

The workers on shore will corral you into the proper holding area getting ready for boarding. It is done in an orderly fashion. Present your tickets and aboard you go. There is not much room on the boat. Bring an underwater throw away camera but I would think twice about bringing a better camera aboard. The place gets VERY WET.

The ride out gets you right into instruction and safety procedure. The mate, a certified Divemaster, will tell you what you can touch, nothing! He does ask if everyone can swim. Funny fellows they are, they expect you to be able to swim if you are going snorkeling.

Everyone is issued a safety vest. They show how to inflate it. It is very thin and very bright. My wife loves it. We purchased one at another time and she always uses it. It makes her feel safe and is easily seen. I don't put air in mine. I like to "free dive" below the water.

After getting the jacket and instructions the mate divided us up, newbies in one area and old troopers in another. Once at the site the experienced put on the gear and go right in. The others get more instruction. The mate both times was patient and thorough. Everyone was in the water both times. The boat held, I would guess, about 40 people. I can't explain as to how helpful the captain and mate are.
They also will help you in and out of the water if needed.

INTO THE WATER

The first time out we were taken to an area that was about seven to fifteen feet deep. It was glorious! The purple fans were gently swaying and fish were everywhere. What is nice about swimming in fairly shallow water is that the sun reflects on everything under there. We saw many different kinds of fish. Everyone had their barracuda stories. We were told ahead of time that any encounters with shark in this area were remote. Unfortunately they were correct. I didn't see any either time, but there was so much else to see. The one and a half hours went by so quickly! Swimming among the fish, fauna, and reefs is fantastic!

I was watching some of the new snorkelers. They were doing fine. The boat only goes out about three miles. This is still pretty well protected waters as the reef extents out about six miles. The mate tells you where to go for best views and kind of sets limits as to how far you should travel from the boat. Always have a buddy.

ANOTHER SUGGESTION

Before going out be sure you ask how the seas are. I do get sea sickness. I never go out in waters with over three foot swells. Higher swells also make it more difficult on people getting used to breathing with snorkels. If it is four feet or more DON'T GO!! You won't have fun.

For the insistent, Dramamine is sold at the station in small two packs as well as the regular, but you must have it before going on board. I use wrist bands when on the water. I don't know if it's all in the mind but they work for me! I went whale watching in Maine and they did the trick. I have used them since, even with air travel.

OUR SECOND TRIP

When we went back to the park two months later we wanted to go to the famed Christ of the Deep statue. It's a nine foot bronze statue that is under twenty feet of water off the Florida coast. These boats go to it often. They sometimes change destinations due to weather and other activity.

Our experience visiting this icon was wonderful and terrible at the same time. This statue is of Jesus with his hands up in the air, no, rather the water. It is covered with some coral, barnacles and the like. It is very cool looking and my wife got a great shot of me underwater with it on a free dive.

The problem here is that EVERYONE wants to see it. Charters from all over the South Florida coast are there. After seeing the statue my wife and I had to swim about fifty yards to get to less populated waters. We then, once again, had a wonderful time. The coral and sea life in this area are fantastic!. The crew gave their same professional instruction and I am so glad we went this second time.

GETTING BACK TO BASE

When the one and a half hour time is up in the water the captain blows a horn on the boat. I will say though none were ever seen many people were talking about sharks.

QUICK OT STORY

I have had surgery twice on my knee. Once years ago for cartilage removal. And again January of last year for a full knee replacement. These left some pretty hefty looking scars on that knee.

Well I was getting out of the water after snorkeling. I was one of the last. As I'm coming aboard I see a kid about ten years old staring at the scars. I just looked at him with a serious face and said "Shark Bite" and then walked away. I then noticed him pointing my knee out to the rest of his family.

My wife and I both got a kick out of his reaction. About a month later we went out to a tattoo parlor, and on my thigh, had the words SHARK BITE inked on with an arrow pointing to the scared knee. Ha, I suppose that was part of midlife crisis. It sure is a great conversation opener. We are always laughing at the reactions of people. Maybe they are laughing at me too!END OT

TO THE SHOWERS

After the half hour ride back in you can go right to the showers. They have about ten open air shower heads spraying out nice fresh water. Ah, that feels great! There is also a tank to rinse your gear. The really do it right at this park.

FOR THE WIMPS

If you are not into snorkeling be sure to witness this wonderful underwater park by glass bottom boat. They also get to see some wonder reefs and all that go with it.

WHERE TO STAY

The park has 47 full utility sites for tents or RVs. Reservations are a must. There are other places outside the park all up and down the Keys.

Many hotel and motel chains are around too. We stayed at Hampton Inns. One was well located between the Everglades and Biscayne National Park in Florida City. There is some good snorkeling there too. In the park, not the city. This was about forty five minutes away. We actually went to this park from the Islamorada Hampton Inn and Suites. That is south of the park, perhaps a half hour drive. That place I highly recommend.

The immediate area is teeming with places to stay. Get in touch with the Chamber of Commerce for listings.
OTHER PLACES TO SNORKEL

Like I said we did do Biscayne National Underwater Park. We also rented a boat from a place called Robbies just over the bridge south of Islamorada. We went out to the reef on our own by the lighthouse. That was very cool too. When we were down in Key West we went to Zachary Taylor State Park That had some fun but not great snorkeling right from the beach. There was amazing snorkeling out on Dry Tortugas National Park This is a days outing to a Fort that gets you there by boat. It's over a couple of hours as I now recall. Swim around the old piers. It's awesome!!

IN CLOSING

This State Park was named after a gentleman who was instrumental in getting the Everglades under environmental protection. It was he who also saw to it that this part of Florida and the fragile coral reef was to be cared for and protected for generations to come. Thank You John Pennekamp. So come visit this park be a witness to natural wonders and glories. Don't WIMP OUT!!



other reviews by popsrocks



Coral Fish A Book That Displays Incredibly Colourful Fish and Educates Snorkelers and Divers

Mallory Square, Key West
Dry Tortugas National Park, Off Key West
Hampton Inn, Key West, Stay away from this one!!
Wyndham Casa Marina, Key West, Good off season value
Hampton Inn, Islamorada Key, Florida....Great place!!!
Robbies Charters, Rentals, and Tarpon Feeding
Biscayne National Underwater Park
Everglades National Park
Hampton Inn, Centrally located between two National Parks, Everglades and Biscayne




Recommended: Yes

Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview