Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
 

Has anyone tried the glass bottom boat tour offered there? Is it any good? Can you see the coral and fish well? I'm sure diving and snorkeling would be much better, but they're not really options for us. Thanks, Jerry

We did the glass-bottom boat tour several years ago. Not particularly impressed. The reef is, generally, gray. And you're moving over it at fairly close range, so it goes by pretty quickly.<BR><BR>If I was down again with some friends who wanted to do it, I'd see them off. Then go find a shady spot and a couple of nice rum drinks until they returned.

I have to disagree with the last post- I did the glass bottom ride there this past week on a cloudy, overcast day. The visability was amazing. I really wanted to snorkel, but because of the wave conditions it wasn't an option. By doing the boat I got to see sharks, baracudas, lobsters, turtles, etc. It would be a good idea to call and get the viability report before you go, they get it at 10:30 am I believe.

just to add- they did say the boats were fairly new, perhaps they are different from what George was on. They commented that the newer boat was a huge improvement over the previous one.

Ditto what Anna stated. I went last May and really enjoyed the trip. The crew was just as excited when they saw new marine life on the reef. You can see the reef very well without getting wet. What I really liked about the boat trip is that you have to go through Largo Sound and pass mangrove trees (they grow out of the water) and the bird life was enjoyable to see as they nest there. There is a wild birdlife preserve a little bit (about a mile or 2 past JK Park (MM 99 - stop by Chamber of Commerce on your right for info.). My Mom and I went there first and that is where injured birds are on the mend. We saw them up close and then saw them on Mangroves in the wild.