peter

was looking into going to this ocean park. wondering about others experiences there. good, bad, worth it?

peter

anybody?

Laurie

We went there over the summer and thought it was a very nice park. However, the day we went it was very windy so the snorkeling wasn't so great. I would check the weather before you go. But basically the park was well maintained, reasonably priced and our snorkeling guides were pretty knowledgable.

peter

anybody?

rqf

Was there a few years back. Not much of a beach. Did a glass bottom boat tour over the reef that was interesting.

traveller

It's great. Depending on the wind, you can go on different snorkeling tours. The captains are really kind (I can barely swim but they gave me the nudge). There are clean bathrooms where you can shower afterward. I don't remember how much the snorkeling tour cost, so it can't be too expensive (I'm very cheap). After the tour, you can keep the equipment for a while and do a little snorkeling on your own on the beach. The beach isn't that great for laying out, but the park is so much fun. I would love to return.

bc

My husband went scuba diving and my son and I went snorkelling on the same boat about 1 1/2 years ago. Everything was very well done and the visibility was good. Don't go when the water is rough-my 11 year old found out about sea sickness that time. That made for a very bad memory for him.
The rest of the park is nice. Not much of a beach as in the rest of the keys. There were a lot of fish to see and the aquarium/museum was interesting.

Jackie

We were there in Oct. and I second what everyone else said. We also enjoy renting a kayak there and taking it through the canals in the mangrove.

You can also go on snorkeling trips from the boats near the Holiday Inn. The catamaran, whose name I can't remember, was great fun.

Enjoy.

Stephanie P.

Peter:

I went to Pennekamp last May. The beaches were nice enough for a tan but nothing spectacular. There is a fee to get in the park (PA parks are free admission. If you don't want to get wet, go on the glass bottom boat ride. They go to the Molasses Key and there is great coral reef and brightly colored fish there, along with shark and barracuda. I'd also suggest, if you can, renting a boat so you can go through Largo Sound at your leisure and see the Mango trees and bird life. While on the glass bottom boat, there was a little island before you got into the ocean, with bird life on it also. There is an info. center and shop at or around the beach with plenty of parking. Go to the Key Chamber of Commerce while on Route 1 too to get more of an idea of what Pennekamp has to offer.

J T Kirk

Pennekamp offers the snorkeler or diver a good oppotunity to see the reef in a nearly pristine state (though not as pristine as recently as 30 years ago.) This is because the reef at Pennekamp is protected since it's a State park. If you are a snorkeler or diver and are going to the Keys, than a stop at Pennekamp is a must. The guides are very knowlegeable. If you want, you can rent a boat and take it out yourself. Just make sure to get a good mao and some directions on where the best dive spots are. If you want just a beach, like, in the Caymans, then nowhere in the Keys really fits your request.

xxx

Everyone is mentioning snorkeling/diving, but we went there and camped. Was nice enough, but a gazillion mosquitos! (late May). Was told they can't spray for bugs because its a protected marine park. (Personally, I don't think the mosquito is in any danger of extinction).