KeyLargo/Pennekamp Park

[tombiowami]

Has anyone here camped out at the park and/or used the onsite service for diving? It is only 39dollars a trip at the park though it does not look like that includes tanks/air. Thanks for any info.

Tommy

 

[Natasha]

Tommy,
I haven't camped in Pennekamp, but I have been underwater there. I looked at the web site www.pennekamp.com
but I couldn't come up with an answer to your question.
Maybe someone else can. But, if not, here is the phone number.
1 305-451-1202
Good luck and have fun!
:sunny:

 

[sharpenu]

just last October. I dove Molasses reef. It was a 30 foot dive. As I remember, it did not include air. As far as camping, I usually stay at the KOA there or the KOA in Key West (actually Sugarloaf Key) Just remember that water conditions from mid-October to March are hit or miss. I have gone and had good weather that time of year and I have had bad weather. The trade off is that the Keys are more crowded and the prices higher in the summer.

 

[Butch103]

there is an air fill station inside the park itself...........I was there in May/00...............and I don't recall one in the park.

You have to take a dive boat to even get to the reef..........you cannot swim out to the reef.

 

[Butch103]

there is an air fill station inside the park itself...........I was there in May/00...............and I don't recall one in the park.

You have to take a dive boat to even get to the reef..........you cannot swim out to the reef.

 

[WetDane]

Hmm,

I'm here now - may be heading over to Pennecamp tomorrow - or down to Key Looe (sp?) - any locals with recommendations? I'll be here over the weekend and would like to get acouple of dives in.

Thanks,
Big T

 

[sharpenu]

Try the Adolphus Busch. It is a frieghter that was placed there as a reef.

 

[watergal]

Hey Tommy,
Happy Thanksgiving

I tent campped there for New Years week, but it was about 8 years ago, so I may not be much help. I was back once for a day trip about 2 years ago. My main memory is that is was unbearably hot! I doubt that has changed. We stayed in the water all day which was ok, but had to get up several times at night to cool off. Also there was a terrible raccoon situation in the campground. They were everywhere. Would knaw through tupperware left outside and knaw though tents if anything that smelled like food was inside.

It is a nice park; the facilities are excellent and they have developed a nice underwater playground. Butch is correct--you cannot swim to a reef, but they have a historic underwater trail accessable from the beach and of course, lots of critters come visit.

Dunno if you are familiar with FL state parks, but the usual problem is getting a site. In general it is first-some-first-serve whivh means a lengthy line at the crack of dawn and frequent dissappointment. Some will now reserve a limited number of sites.

I was diving both times and took a snorkle trip once. I don't remember exact prices, but it was not expensive--$39 sounds reasonable. They are 2 tank trips, but a very short boat ride. They did charge extra for any thing you needed from them including tanks &, weights. It is fairly shallow, but very colorful. Sadly, the reef does show evidence of heavy use. The boat captain was quite nice and accomodating. Dives are not lead--they give you a set time to be back at the boat and you are on your own. They will buddy up any single divers.

Have a great trip!