John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Moving on down the road and further south was our next destination. Located in the Florida Keys and more specifically Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the United States. It's claim to fame is the approximately 70 nautical square miles of reef where people come from all over the world to snorkel or scuba dive.

The park was named after John D Pennekamp, a Miami newspaper editor who was pivotal in the preservation of the undersea park. Entrance to John Pennekamp is from U.S. Route 1 at mile marker 102.6 on the oceanside. Sounds quite specific doesn't it. Well if you have never been to the Keys this is how they give directions for everything. Its either oceanside or bayside at MM so and so. From the top of Key Largo to the bottom, Key West there's 125 miles of blue-green water, sandy beaches, and restaurants galore.

A bike path outside the
park entrance

Beautiful canopy entrance
into the park

Our site

Many of the sites are a little tight and would not accommodate our rig. After some research I was able to book this one. Backing in was not a problem. The interior roads are all paved however the site itself is crushed stone. Each site offers 20-30-50 electric with water and sewer. With just over 40 sites there are 2 large washrooms with showers.

The campground with lots of tree canopy and some narrow sites,
could be a problem with big rigs

 At the visitors center a 30,000 gallon saltwater aquarium features exhibits from the coral reef.

Snorkelling and scuba trips to the coral reef are offered by the park concessionaire. If staying above sea level is your preference then daily trips to the reef are offer on a high-speed glass-bottom catamaran.

Well equipped dive shop

Snorkel Shop

Snorkel Boat

The park offers 2.5 miles of marked canoe trails through the mangroves where a variety of birds and wildlife can be seen. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the gift shop.

  

Parks boat launch

Since we have our own kayaks, the park offers a couple of places to launch. We decided to launch near the campground and stay close to the mangroves as opposed to going into more open water. Susan is still getting use to her boat. I picked up a laminated map of the trails from the kayak rental place. They were more than happy to give me one. They also told me all the does and don'ts, where to and where not to go, and to especially and most importantly to have fun. So that being said away we go.

Happy girl

Another happy girl testing the boat
and waters

After paddling around in shallow waters for awhile we headed into the mangroves for some peace and quiet. The tide was going out which was perfect because it works in our favour on the way back.

Another fantastic day on the water

As we continue to paddle down the trails, Susan became more and more confident in her boat. She only ran into the mangroves once, literally. She didn't tip it. Lots of fun and smiles.