John Pennekamp State Park

We really wanted to do some diving but we also needed for something for our kids to do so we went to John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, about 90 minutes from Miami. We went diving and the kids and babysitter went on a glass bottom boat ride.

The park is small. There is a visitor center with some nice aquariums with local marine life on display. There are some picnic areas and shops where you can rent canoes, schedule snorkeling and glass bottom boat rides. Across the harbor is a dive shop which also has instruction available.

Unfortunately conditions were surprisingly rough. When buying tickets we were warned that the seas were pretty choppy despite the winds being fairly calm. We got the babysitter some Dramamine. I guess it worked since she said she was the only adult to not get sick. The kids did just fine with the waves. For diving the trip out was fine for me but the surge under water really made me sick and I'm normally not prone to sea sickness.

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