At Mile Marker 102.8 is all about what's underwater, not on the beach. Established in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the United States. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, cover approximately 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. The park extends 3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately 25 miles in length.
KEY LARGO
JOHN PENNEKAMP COARL REEF STATE PARK
Admission: $8 per vehicle up to eight people per vehicle
102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
is quite small, but if you bring your snorkeling gear, it's a great place to snorkel from shore.
There is also great snorkeling opportunities located in one end of the beach. On the other end, was an ideal place to relax.
THE PARK’S CANNON BEACH
THE PARK’S FAR BEACH
Sombrero Beach in Marathon is also a "real" beach, and it's free. The beach is a white sand arc with lots of amenities: grassy lawns shaded with palm trees, changing rooms, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, grills, a playground. This is a good place to do a little snorkeling from shore. The beach, which is two miles off the main road, is a favorite with locals because many visitors don't know it's there.
MARATHON
SOMBRERO BEACH
200 36th St Ocean Marathon, FL 33050
Henry Flagler’s bold effort to build a railroad to Key West in the early 1900s turned the remote island of Bahia Honda Key into a tropical destination.
Along with its iconic Florida scenery — palm-lined beaches, gin-clear waters and magnificent sunsets — the park is known for balmy sea breezes that caress the shores year-round. Kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented, and boat trips to the reef for snorkeling excursions are available.
The park is an excellent place to observe wading birds and shorebirds, and introduces nature lovers to the island’s plants and animals.
Kayaks and snorkeling gear can be rented and snorkeling excursions are available at their concession.
BIG PINE AND THE LOWER KEYS
BAHIA HONDA STATE PARK
ADMISSION: $8 PER VEHICLE UP TO EIGHT PEOPLE PER VEHICLE
36850 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, BIG PINE KEY
A rare stretch of sand in Key West, even though the sand has to be imported. The free beach, on South Roosevelt Boulevard, is the longest in Key West. It's lined with palm trees and has restrooms, volleyball courts and picnic areas. It's a shallow beach and the water is sometimes lacking in clarity.
key west
smathers beach
2601 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040
FORT ZACHARY TAYLOR STATE PARK
Admission: $6 per vehicle up to eight people per vehicle
601 Howard England Way Key West FL 33040
The best beach in Key West is off-the-beaten-path.
This impressive park spread out over 54 acres at the tip of Key West not only has a good beach, but a huge stone fort dating from the mid-19th century. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War. The sand here is not as soft as other beaches, but it's decent nevertheless.
Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach is located where Gulf waters meet the Atlantic, hidden from the Key West hubbub by the Truman Annex. The water is clear and the bottom is rocky, which makes this a good place to snorkel and see tropical fish and live coral. Because of those rocks it's smart to bring water shoes. You'll find shade here and a snack bar with affordable sandwiches and pizza slices, making this a bargain in expensive Key West.
