John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is in Key Largo at mile marker 102. If you come to the Keys, you will learn quickly that directions are always given by mile marker and bayside or oceanside. The state park is oceanside. The state park has all sorts of activities to offer on the water, or the beach or in the nature trails that are there.
Our Florida kids were visiting us for the weekend and we decided to check out the aquarium that we heard the park had. After seeing the aquarium at Marathon, it was a bit underwhelming but still interesting. We sat for a while and watched some beautiful video of the coral reef that identified and explained the nature of much of the sea life that can be found in the coral reefs of south Florida.
There is a whole list of snorkeling opportunities, diving, kayaking etc. on the website for Pennekamp and you might want to make it a stop for a day of adventure. I wouldn't suggest doing it during spring break if you don't like crowds. This was a mid spring break weekend and the beaches were crowded and the boat trips packed with people. Our son had fun pointing out all the "spring breakers". He's lived in Florida now for about 20 years and picks the spring breakers out by their pink to red skin from trying to tan in a week.
We walked one of the trails that Bob and I had explored several years ago. I'd forgotten that it ended in a fruit orchard. There were several key lime trees and a couple of mango trees that were producing fruit but not yet ready for picking.
With the temperature and humidity climbing, we decided to head back to the condo and cool off in the A/C. Our tans were a little more seasoned and didn't need any more sun.
