A practical day trip: John Pennekamp and a coral-reef snorkeling plan
Yes — you can plan a practical day trip from Three Waters Resort and Marina to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for snorkeling. Drive time from the Islamorada area is about 32 minutes (roughly 20.3 miles); pack reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, snorkel gear (or rent locally), and plan to return to the resort for dinner or a late-afternoon swim.
In this guide
Overview: Why John Pennekamp from Three Waters
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a well-known snorkeling and diving destination with reef habitats and wrecks; it makes a straightforward day trip from Three Waters Resort and Marina.
From the Islamorada area the park is about 20.3 miles away — expect roughly a 32-minute drive depending on traffic. A car is the simplest way to reach the park from Three Waters.
- Park type: Florida State Park — popular for snorkeling and diving
- Distance from resort area: ~20.3 miles / ~32 minutes (drive)
- Best logistics: drive from Three Waters and use park boat/snorkel access or park facilities
| From | To | Approx. travel |
|---|---|---|
| Three Waters Resort and Marina | John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park | 20.3 miles — ~32 minutes (drive) |
Timing your day: a practical schedule
Aim to leave the resort in the morning to get good light and calmer water: plan for a 7:30–9:00 AM departure if you want morning snorkel conditions and to avoid midday crowds. Exact park opening hours vary; check the state park site before you go.
Allow time for parking, renting gear if needed, and a boat or snorkel tour check-in if you plan to use the park’s boat access. Factor in about 3–5 hours total for a relaxed snorkel visit (including travel).
- Suggested leave time from Three Waters: early morning (7:30–9:00 AM)
- On-site time at park: 2–4 hours typical for snorkeling
- Return to resort: mid to late afternoon for pool or dinner
| Activity | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Drive from Three Waters to Pennekamp | ~32 minutes |
| Park arrival, gear and boat check-in | 20–45 minutes |
| Snorkeling at reef sites | 1.5–3 hours |
What to bring and what to rent
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, a hat, a light cover-up for between swims, and a waterproof camera or snorkel mask with a camera option if you have one. The Florida Keys and park rules encourage reef-safe sunscreen and careful behavior around coral.
If you don’t want to bring gear, many local vendors and the park offer snorkel-mask fins sets and guided boat tours; confirm rental availability and hours before you go.
- Must-haves: reef-safe sunscreen, towel, ID, credit card
- Optional but useful: reef-safe mask/snorkel, fins, water shoes, dry bag
- If you prefer not to carry gear: plan to rent at the park or book a guided snorkel tour
| Bring from hotel | Rent at park/nearby |
|---|---|
| Towel, sunscreen, water bottle | Snorkel mask, fins, life vest |
| Waterproof phone case/camera | Guided snorkel/boat tours |
| ID and payment card | Parking or boat launch fees (check park) |
Getting there and park logistics
Driving is the simplest option from Three Waters; the park is located off the Overseas Highway and reachable in roughly 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. Visitors should verify current park hours and any boat-tour schedules before departing.
John Pennekamp offers both shore snorkeling areas and boat-based access to reefs and wrecks; if you plan to take a boat snorkel trip, arrive early to secure space or reserve in advance where possible.
- Best route: drive from Three Waters along Overseas Highway — check GPS for current traffic
- Check park options: shore snorkeling vs. boat trips to outer reefs/wrecks
- Reserve boat tours or rentals in advance when possible, especially on weekends
| Access type | Notes |
|---|---|
| Shore snorkeling | Good for nearshore reefs and easy access |
| Boat-based snorkel trips | Reaches outer reefs and wrecks — reserve early |
| Park facilities | Confirm current hours and services on the park site |
After the reef: return plans at Three Waters
Back at Three Waters you can rinse off and relax at one of the resort pools or on a beach. The resort has three pools (Kokomo Pool, Overseas Pool, and The Cove Pool — the Cove pool is adults-only) and beach loungers and towels are provided as part of resort amenities.
For food and drinks after a day on the water, Three Waters offers multiple on-site dining options ranging from casual pizza and a soft-serve window to wood-fired dinner and rooftop dining. Check specific restaurant hours with the concierge.
- Pools: Kokomo (swim-up bar), Overseas Pool, The Cove Pool (21+)
- Dining options on-site include Kindler Wood-Fired Fare, Little Limón, Mercado Morada, Islamorada Pizza Co., Kokomo, Lucky Twist, Tiki Bar, Hideaway, and Starbucks
- Resort amenities such as beach towels, loungers, and enhanced Wi‑Fi are included with the nightly resort fee
| Post-trip option | Where on property |
|---|---|
| Casual pizza and quick bite | Islamorada Pizza Co. |
| Rooftop dinner and ocean views | Little Limón |
| Swim-up drinks | Kokomo Pool |
Practical room picks and recovery time
If you want a restful evening with ocean views after a snorkel day, consider a room with balcony or ocean view. Room categories at Three Waters include names such as The Village Room, Junior Suite, and Suite, with several oceanfront and balcony options on property — choose a room type that fits your party and gear needs.
If you’re traveling with family or need extra space to dry and store gear, suites with sofa beds or a balcony will give more room to spread out and rinse gear before check-out or the next activity.
- Room name examples on property: The Village Room; Junior Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront; Room, Balcony, Ocean View
- If traveling with kids, the resort is family-friendly across most areas (The Cove is 21+ and separate)
- Use on-site self-parking (included in the resort fee) to store gear in your vehicle if needed
| Need | Room type example |
|---|---|
| Extra sleeping and living space | Junior Suite, with Sofa bed, Oceanfront |
| Simple ocean view and balcony | Room, Balcony, Ocean View |
| Compact, standard stay | The Village Room |
