{"ok":true,"data":{"id":2274,"slug":"cannon-beach-key-largo","name":"Cannon Beach","country":"USA","state":"Florida","city":"Key Largo","coords":{"lat":25.1231,"lng":-80.4071},"beachType":null,"tags":["family","snorkeling","scenic"],"article":{"hero":"Cannon Beach unfurls along the ocean side of Key Largo as a low-key stretch where locals bring folding chairs and coolers rather than expectations of postcard perfection. The sand here is narrow, giving way quickly to shallow flats carpeted in turtle grass—a nursery for juvenile tarpon and snapper. You'll hear the rustle of Australian pines and the occasional splash of a pelican diving for baitfish. The water stays knee-deep for dozens of yards, warm enough that even January visitors skip the wetsuit.\n\nSnorkeling draws most visitors: scattered coral heads and limestone ledges lie within easy swim distance, hosting parrotfish, sergeant majors, and the occasional nurse shark nosing through the sand. Visibility shifts with tide and wind, but on calm mornings you'll spot spiny lobster tucked under ledges and schools of blue tangs grazing algae. Families appreciate the gradual slope and forgiving conditions—no riptides, no pounding shore break.\n\nThe beach itself is unpretentious, with picnic tables shaded by palms and a small parking area that fills by midday on weekends. You'll share the space with snorkeling outfitters launching clients and retirees walking the tide line at dawn. It lacks the manicured charm of resort beaches farther south, but that scrappy authenticity is precisely why regulars return: this is the Keys as working waterfront, where the reef still feels close enough to touch.","teaser":"You'll wade into bathwater shallows where silver needlefish dart over seagrass beds and osprey circle overhead. The sand is fine-grained and beige, the water a shifting palette of jade and turquoise depending on cloud cover. Families spread blankets under sea grape while snorkelers fin out to patch reefs just offshore.","uniqueAngle":"One of the few Upper Keys beaches where you can snorkel living patch reefs from shore without a boat or guide.","accessType":"Drive-up parking","thingsToDo":[{"icon":"snorkel","title":"Swim to Patch Reefs","subtitle":"Fins essential for seagrass crossing"},{"icon":"swim","title":"Wade the Shallows","subtitle":"Spot juvenile fish in nursery"},{"icon":"camera","title":"Photograph Mangrove Edge","subtitle":"Golden hour lights prop roots"},{"icon":"sun","title":"Lounge Under Sea Grape","subtitle":"Natural shade, bring your towel"}],"audience":{"surfer":"Cannon Beach offers zero surf—the reef shelf offshore absorbs any Atlantic swell before it reaches the sand, leaving only ankle-high ripples on windy days. If you're chasing waves in the Keys, you're in the wrong archipelago entirely. The flats here are strictly for paddleboarding or kayaking, and the only barrels you'll find are the kind filled with ice and beer at the picnic tables. Save your board wax for the mainland; this is snorkel and chill territory.","couples":"Arrive an hour before sunset and claim a picnic table facing east—the pastel sky reflects on the shallows in shades of rose and lavender. The beach empties after four, leaving you the sound of wavelets and the silhouette of mangroves. Pack cheese, wine, and citronella candles; there are no beachfront bistros here. For lodging, small motels and vacation rentals dot the Overseas Highway within a five-minute drive, offering screened porches and hammocks strung between palms—functional rather than luxurious, but you'll wake to heron calls and coffee on your own dock.","backpacker":"Free beach access and parking make this a budget win; bring your own mask and fins to skip the rental booth. The nearest hostel-style lodging is in Key Largo proper, about ten minutes north—check for weekly rates at older motels along the highway. For meals under ten dollars, hit the taco truck near MM 100 or grab a Cuban sandwich at the gas station deli. Hitchhiking between Mile Markers is common among locals; smile and you'll likely catch a ride, though a bike is your best bet for island-hopping on a shoestring.","local":"Hit the water before eight on weekday mornings when tour boats are still tied up and the flats are yours alone. The southern end near the boat ramp sees fewer snorkelers—wade out past the second grass bed for clearer viz and better coral heads. After storms, scan the wrack line at dawn for sea beans and drift seeds before the beachcombers arrive. Keep an old pair of water shoes in your trunk; fire coral fragments wash up seasonally and the limestone is sharp on bare feet at low tide.","family":null,"party":null,"diver":null,"explorer":null},"faqs":[{"a":"Cannon Beach offers calm, shallow waters ideal for families and beginner snorkelers. The beach features protected areas within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, where you can snorkel among tropical fish and coral formations. Water clarity is generally good, though visibility varies with weather and tides. Always check current conditions before entering the water. The shallow depths and gentle waves make it safer than ocean-side beaches, but be mindful of boat traffic in designated channels and wear reef-safe sunscreen to protect the marine ecosystem.","q":"Is Cannon Beach in Key Largo good for swimming and snorkeling?"},{"a":"Cannon Beach is accessible year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 75°F in winter to 85°F in summer. December through April offers the most comfortable weather with lower humidity and minimal rainfall, though this is peak tourist season. Summer months (June-August) bring afternoon thunderstorms and higher humidity but warmer water and fewer crowds. Hurricane season runs June through November, with September and October presenting the highest risk. For the best snorkeling visibility, visit during calmer winter months when water is clearest.","q":"When is the best time to visit Cannon Beach Key Largo?"},{"a":"Cannon Beach is located within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at Mile Marker 102.5 on the Overseas Highway (US-1) in Key Largo. The park entrance is clearly marked on the bay side. There's an entrance fee of $8 per vehicle (plus $0.50 per person). Ample parking is available in designated lots near the beach area. The park opens at 8 AM daily. From Miami, it's approximately a one-hour drive south. No public transportation serves the park directly, so a personal vehicle or rental car is necessary.","q":"How do I get to Cannon Beach and is there parking available?"},{"a":"John Pennekamp State Park, where Cannon Beach is located, features a full-service concession stand offering snacks, sandwiches, and beverages. Restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic areas with grills are available throughout the park. The visitor center includes educational exhibits about the coral reef ecosystem. For more dining options, Key Largo's restaurants and cafes are within a 5-10 minute drive along US-1. Nearby accommodations range from waterfront resorts to budget motels. The park also offers a dive shop for snorkel and kayak rentals if you don't have your own equipment.","q":"What food and amenities are available at Cannon Beach?"},{"a":"The famous Christ of the Abyss statue cannot be seen from Cannon Beach itself, as it's submerged in 25 feet of water at Key Largo Dry Rocks, several miles offshore within the park's boundaries. You'll need to join a snorkeling or diving tour from John Pennekamp's dive center to visit the statue. Glass-bottom boat tours are also available and provide views of the underwater statue and surrounding reef without getting wet. These tours typically last 2.5 hours and depart multiple times daily, offering an excellent alternative for non-swimmers interested in the area's marine attractions.","q":"Can I see the Christ of the Abyss statue from Cannon Beach?"}]},"seo":{"title":"Cannon Beach, Key Largo: Snorkeling & Calm Waters Guide","description":"Powder-soft sand meets gin-clear shallows at Cannon Beach, where families snorkel among parrotfish and kids wade safely in protected Upper Keys coves.","ogImage":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4858/46143480811_ff81e711ca_b.jpg"},"images":[{"id":"515300","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4858/46143480811_ff81e711ca_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4858/46143480811_ff81e711ca.jpg","alt":"Cannon Beach / Oregon"},{"id":"515301","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4335/37393128936_c74c9719d0_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/4335/37393128936_c74c9719d0.jpg","alt":"Cannon Beach Oregon"},{"id":"515302","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7036/27555015402_10e1605bda_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7036/27555015402_10e1605bda.jpg","alt":"ghosts"},{"id":"515303","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8749/16843540771_402aecca8c_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8749/16843540771_402aecca8c.jpg","alt":"inner landscapes (Terres intimes)"},{"id":"515304","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1971/44296541745_18b637131b_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/1971/44296541745_18b637131b.jpg","alt":"Oregon Coast"},{"id":"515305","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52302288801_8bb5b93d16_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52302288801_8bb5b93d16.jpg","alt":"Beach At Wages Creek"},{"id":"515307","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7803/46531080335_9793ce3e3f_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/7803/46531080335_9793ce3e3f.jpg","alt":"Lost  (Film)"},{"id":"515308","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629342198_388246f021_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52629342198_388246f021.jpg","alt":"Pacific Coast Majesty"},{"id":"515311","url":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8274/28435179503_37f0b99f12_b.jpg","thumbnail":"https://live.staticflickr.com/8274/28435179503_37f0b99f12.jpg","alt":"Cannon Beach Classic frame"}]}}