John Pennekamp State Park
Welcome to our dive site, a hidden gem within the Florida State Park system. This site holds protected status and is also a cherished location for the renowned Boy Scouts of America SeaBase camp program. With its shallow, crystal-clear water, abundant reef life, and convenient offshore access, it's an ideal destination for both beginner divers and snorkelers.
As you explore the wonders beneath the surface, be prepared to encounter a diverse array of Caribbean marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic creatures such as eagle rays, stingrays, nurse sharks, and turtles. You'll also have the opportunity to observe vibrant species like parrotfish, porcupine fish, and angelfish including the french, grey, and queen varieties.
With a visibility of 12m and a maximum depth of 10m, this dive site offers optimal conditions for novice divers. Its location in Monroe County, Florida, United States makes it easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of this underwater paradise and create memories to last a lifetime.
Experience the thrill of diving in this remarkable dive site within the enchanting waters of the United States. Begin your underwater adventure today!
As you explore the wonders beneath the surface, be prepared to encounter a diverse array of Caribbean marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic creatures such as eagle rays, stingrays, nurse sharks, and turtles. You'll also have the opportunity to observe vibrant species like parrotfish, porcupine fish, and angelfish including the french, grey, and queen varieties.
With a visibility of 12m and a maximum depth of 10m, this dive site offers optimal conditions for novice divers. Its location in Monroe County, Florida, United States makes it easily accessible for locals and visitors alike. Immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of this underwater paradise and create memories to last a lifetime.
Experience the thrill of diving in this remarkable dive site within the enchanting waters of the United States. Begin your underwater adventure today!
Diving Conditions Score for John Pennekamp State Park
7
GoodGood diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for John Pennekamp State Park
Depth
10m
Visibility
12m
Experience Level
beginner
Weather Conditions for John Pennekamp State Park
Wave Height
0.36m
Wind Speed
11.3 m/s
Water Temp
31.2°C
Visibility
18.9km
Cloud Cover
51%
Wave Period
3.4s
Air Temperature
29.9°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Detailed 7-Day Diving Forecast for John Pennekamp State Park
Alpha
Dive Score Chart for John Pennekamp State Park
Best time to dive: 8:00 with score 7.741267605633803/10. Water conditions: Waves 0.42m, Wind 15.6 m/s.Best night dive time: 0:00 with score 7.467433333333333/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Sunrise at John Pennekamp State Park: 06:00
Sunset at John Pennekamp State Park: 18:00
Optimal diving conditions at John Pennekamp State Park are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Best Overall
8:00Score: 7.7/10
Waves: 0.42m (3.55s), Wind: 15.6 m/s
Best Night
0:00Score: 7.5/10
Waves: 0.34m, Wind: 8.6 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for John Pennekamp State ParkAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at John Pennekamp State Park
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for John Pennekamp State Park
Winter
Avg. Score: 8.7/10
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for John Pennekamp State Park
February
Score: 8.8
January
Score: 8.7
December
Score: 8.7
Ideal Conditions for John Pennekamp State Park
Water Temp
27.4°C / 81.3°F
June
Visibility
11.3m / 37.1ft
May
Wave Height
2.4m / 7.9ft
September
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for John Pennekamp State Park
John Pennekamp State Park shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (28.2°C) and January the coldest (17.7°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in September with average wave heights of 2.4m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in September with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). February is usually the driest month with 0.1mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during September to November, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 23, 2026
Note: This dive site is not a verified dive site. Please dive with caution. This dive site might have incorrect information by the community.
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