Cannon Beach at Pennekamp: snorkeling the 1715 shipwreck artifacts, and the construction notice

Cannon Beach is a snorkel you can start from the sand. Florida State Parks calls it the primary snorkeling beach at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, and the park has placed artifacts from an early Spanish shipwreck underwater about 100 feet offshore. This guide covers what is out there, the rule about where you may swim, the construction notice that has changed the park’s boat side since July 22, 2026, and how to get through the gate before the lot fills. We read the park’s pages on October 24, 2026.

What is on the bottom

The park’s experiences and amenities page says artifacts from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck have been placed underwater at Cannon Beach for viewing, and that visitors may see marine creatures among the seagrasses. Note the verb. These pieces were placed there to be seen, about 100 feet offshore, rather than lying where the ship went down. The short swim is the appeal: a new snorkeler, or a child who wants to see something real, can reach them without a boat ticket.

• Pennekamp has two human-made beaches. Cannon Beach is the park's primary snorkeling beach, with artifacts from an early Spanish shipwreck placed about 100 feet offshore; Far Beach is a relaxing place to swim or sit under palm trees. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp experiences & amenities
• At Cannon Beach, artifacts from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck have been placed underwater for viewing; visitors may see marine creatures among the seagrasses. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp experiences & amenities

The flag rule and the lifeguard question

Florida State Parks says there are no lifeguards on duty at Pennekamp and that swimming is at your own risk. It also says that swimming or snorkeling outside designated swimming areas is prohibited unless a diver-down flag is properly displayed. The park pages we read do not map the designated area against the artifacts, so ask at the park which water is designated on the day, and carry a flag if your route might leave it.

• There are no lifeguards on duty at Pennekamp; swimming is at your own risk. Swimming or snorkeling outside designated swimming areas is prohibited unless a diver-down flag is properly displayed. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp experiences & amenities

Our snorkeling beaches page lists the other shore entries in the inventory where an operator mentions snorkeling, each with its own posted rules.

Far Beach, for the half of the group without a mask

The park’s second human-made beach, Far Beach, is described by Florida State Parks as a relaxing place to swim or sit under palm trees. If half the group wants a mask and the other half wants shade, the two beaches split the day inside one admission. Near the main concession building and Cannon Beach, the visitor center houses a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, as Florida State Parks posted it October 24, 2026.

• The Pennekamp visitor center and aquarium, by the main concession building and Cannon Beach, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and houses a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp experiences & amenities

The construction notice, and what it does not say

Effective July 22, 2026, Florida State Parks says that to support ongoing improvements, one of the park’s two boat ramps and the boat sewage pump-out station are temporarily unavailable, and boat trailer parking has been significantly reduced due to construction. The notice we read gives no end date.

For beachgoers, the notice is about the boat side of the park: the ramp, the pump-out and the trailer spaces. The amenities page lists boat trailer parking as limited to 40 spaces, and the notice does not say how many remain. If you are towing, call the park at 305-676-3777 before you leave. If you are not, nothing in the notice names Cannon Beach or Far Beach.

• Effective July 22, 2026: to support ongoing improvements at Pennekamp, one of the two boat ramps and the boat sewage pump-out station are temporarily unavailable, and boat trailer parking has been significantly reduced due to construction. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp Know Before You Go
• Pennekamp has 351 designated parking spots; on weekends and holidays parking tends to fill to capacity in the early afternoon, and the park closes temporarily when full. Boat trailer parking is limited to 40 spaces. Parking is included in the entrance fee. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp experiences & amenities

Getting in before the lot fills

Pennekamp has 351 designated parking spots, and parking is included in the entrance fee. Florida State Parks says that on weekends and holidays the lot tends to fill to capacity in the early afternoon, and the park closes temporarily when full. The gates open at 8 a.m. and the park stays open until sunset, 365 days a year, as posted October 24, 2026, so on a Saturday the plan is a morning arrival.

Admission, as Florida State Parks posted it October 24, 2026: a multiple-occupant vehicle pays $8 plus 50 cents per person up to eight people, then $2.50 for each person over eight; a single-occupant vehicle pays $4.50; a pedestrian or bicyclist pays $2.50. By our arithmetic, a car of four pays $10, eight people pay $12, and nine pay $14.50. The boat ramp is $10 per vessel, day use only.

• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is open 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• Pennekamp admission: multiple-occupant vehicle $8 plus 50 cents per person up to eight people; $2.50 each additional person over eight; single-occupant vehicle $4.50; pedestrian or bicyclist $2.50 per person. Boat ramp fee $10 per vessel, day use only. Florida State Parks: John Pennekamp hours & fees
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037; 305-676-3777. The park concession's FAQ places the entrance at Mile Marker 102.5 on US 1. Florida State Parks (park page) and Pennekamp park concession FAQ

The entrance is at Mile Marker 102.5 on US 1, per the park concession’s FAQ, at 102601 Overseas Highway. Other Key Largo and Tavernier options, including Monroe County’s Harry Harris Park, are on our Key Largo beaches page, and the plan-your-visit page collects hours and closure notices across the Keys.

Cannon Beach questions

Written by the Florida Keys Beaches Editorial Team. Some content may be AI-generated. People check every fact before it publishes.

Dates, rules and hours can change. The organisers have the final word: Florida State Parks (official site)