Key Largo and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, at 102601 Overseas Highway in Key Largo, is the first underwater park in the United States and the classic snorkeling day trip from Miami. It sits about 56 miles (90 km) south of the city, a drive of roughly 1 hour 15 minutes via the Florida Turnpike Extension and US-1 to mile marker 102.5. There is no direct public rail, but Keys shuttles and day-trip tour operators run service from Miami, and many packages include transport. The park protects mangroves, seagrass beds and a section of the only living barrier coral reef in the continental United States. Most visitors come for the reef: snorkel and scuba tours go to sites such as Christ of the Abyss statue area and Molasses Reef, glass-bottom boat trips suit non-swimmers, and kayaks and canoes can be rented to paddle the mangrove trails. On land, a small aquarium at the visitor center, a short nature trail and a swimming beach add options. A workable itinerary is to leave Miami by 7:00 AM, arrive when the park opens at 8:00 AM, book the morning reef trip when seas are calmest, and finish with a beach or paddling session. Lunch can be had at the park cafe or at waterfront restaurants and fish shacks along the Overseas Highway, with key lime pie a local staple. The drive back should start by mid-afternoon to avoid weekend traffic on US-1, the only road. April to October brings calm, clear water, although late-summer storms can cancel trips; winter can bring wind and chop. Entrance is about $8 per vehicle plus $0.50 per person, while snorkel tours cost roughly $40 to $50 per adult plus about $25 for gear. Confirm tour times and prices by phone at 305-451-6300, and reserve ahead on weekends and holidays.