John Pennekamp State Park
Protected Area
John Pennekamp Coral Reef
Why dive here
With 87+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, dolphins, hammerhead sharks, seahorses and sea turtles - John Pennekamp State Park offers some of Florida Keys's richest reef diving. Water ranges 19-32°C, warmest July, August, September.
John Pennekamp State Park gets a lot of hype, and for good reason. As the first underwater park in the US, it’s done wonders for conservation and offers a truly accessible dive. Depths stay around 10 meters, making it ideal for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed, long bottom time. You’ll drift through the shallower sections of Hawk Channel, often spotting loggerhead turtles grazing on the sea grass or barracuda hanging still in the current. It’s a classic Keys dive, a solid choice for a laid-back afternoon in the water.
Typical John Pennekamp State Park Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Nearest Dive Centres to John Pennekamp State Park
Dive shops near John Pennekamp State Park
Silent World
Scuba Quest Outlet
Silent World Dive Center
Quiescence Diving Services Inc
Ocean First Key Largo, LLC
Sail Fish Scuba
Reviews for John Pennekamp State Park
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for John Pennekamp State Park
John Pennekamp State Park Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for John Pennekamp State Park, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: 8725520 - Fort Myers, FL (28km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
27°C
81°F · Range: 20.9–31.1°C
Air Temperature
26°C
79°F
Current Speed
0 cm/s
Direction: S (180°)
Salinity
35.98 PSU
Wind Speed
2.7 m/s
5.2 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1014.5 hPa
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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