Planning a Trip to the Florida Keys

Snorkeling in Key Largo’s John Pennekamp State Park

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Even though we’re divers, that doesn’t mean we don’t love a good snorkel trip every once and awhile.

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

Especially when the snorkeling is through the pristine waters of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

True, it was hard to pull ourselves away from this:

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

But we had a full day of nothing planned when we first arrived in Key Largo, so we hopped on one of Pennekamp’s snorkel tours, which go out a couple times a day.

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

We didn’t get to see the famous underwater Christ statue, but we did see plenty of underwater friends.

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

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The great thing about the snorkeling in Key Largo is that so much marine life—from manta rays to lobsters—lingers within snorkel reach, just 10 feet or so below the ocean’s surface.

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

One creature we should have taken more care to avoid was the moon jelly, which is one of the less poisonous of the jellyfish but still has some painful tentacles.

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

Something SVV found out firsthand as one floated right into his back as he was photographing me with another. (You can see above where I’m trying to yell (unsuccessfully) underwater “JELLYFISH!!!! WATCH OUT!!!!”)

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

The boat’s captain had warned us of the moons as it’s jellyfish season in Florida right now, but he said their sting is so docile, many people won’t feel it. Unfortunately, SVV was not one of those people.

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

It took days for the welts to subside and stop itching. But a little vinegar and this view on the way back in helped the pain subside quickly.

John Pennekamp-13

John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, Florida

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COMMENTS
  • December 6, 2013

    Great photos! The jellies were everywhere on my dives in the Keys. Now I feel compelled to make a joke about the traditional cure for stings…

    • December 9, 2013

      As did my mom…would have been a wee bit awkward out on the boat in plain sight, heh 😉

  • December 6, 2013

    I’ve always been a bit nervous swimming around jellyfish for this particular reason! In the Bahamas I remember swimming along, and then suddenly being surrounded by them. Luckily I didn’t get stung (that I know of?)

    Poor SVV!

    • December 9, 2013

      Yeah, they say moon jellies are docile. I call bullshit on that! In all the diving I’ve done, this was the first time I’ve been under with hundreds of jellies. I’ve never seen more than one or two at any time prior to this trip.

  • December 7, 2013

    I miss warm weather 🙁

    • December 9, 2013

      You and me both, sista. And we’ve only had 30s for a week now, too. Come back, eternal summer!

  • December 7, 2013
    AHM

    Nice photos! That ray is a sting ray, not a manta ray though.

    • December 9, 2013

      You’re so right–thanks for correcting me. I must have typed that in a half-asleep midnight stupor as I’ve only ever dove/snorkeled with stings and eagle rays, never mantas (one day…).

  • December 11, 2013

    Nice photos! Florida so much to offer, It’s -30 right now here in WI and your pic’s make me want to book a trip today!

  • December 12, 2013

    Stunning photos. Seems you guys had a lot of fun.

  • January 5, 2014
    gayle olson

    We rented a boat and went to Boca Chita. My DIL got in contact with a man o war and had to be airlifted off the island by the Miami Dade rescue. They said urine and ammonia will not do the trick. Vinegar and a hard scaping with a credit card may help but Mary needed iv’s and a trip to the hospital. The man o war can be deadly. No more diving in Dec.!

  • January 18, 2014

    WoW! Great photos. Excellent collection. Kristin share more photos into your blog. And let us know about yourself more. Thanks

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