How do I get to Far Beach and is parking available?

Far Beach is located within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park at MM 102.5 oceanside on Key Largo. From Miami, take US-1 South for approximately 60 miles. The park entrance is clearly marked on the ocean side. Parking is available within the state park for a daily entrance fee (typically $8 per vehicle plus 50 cents per person). Arrive early during peak season and weekends as parking can fill up. The beach area is accessible from the main parking lots via short walking paths through the tropical landscape.

What food options and amenities are available at or near Far Beach?

Far Beach has basic amenities including restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic areas with grills, perfect for family gatherings. Within John Pennekamp park, there's a concession stand offering snacks, drinks, and light meals during operating hours. The park also has a gift shop and visitor center. For more dining variety, Key Largo's restaurant row along US-1 is just minutes away, featuring everything from casual seafood shacks to waterfront dining. Nearby accommodations range from chain hotels to boutique resorts and vacation rentals, many within a 5-10 minute drive of the beach.

Can you snorkel at Far Beach or do you need to take a boat tour?

While Far Beach itself offers pleasant swimming, the spectacular coral reefs that make the area famous are located offshore and require boat access. John Pennekamp State Park offers glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling trips, and scuba diving excursions to the reef from their marina. You can snorkel from shore in designated swimming areas and may spot small fish and marine life, but the vibrant reef ecosystems lie in deeper waters. Many visitors combine beach relaxation at Far Beach with a separately booked snorkeling or diving tour to experience the full range of what the park offers.

Key Largo · Florida · USA

Far Beach

You park under Australian pines, carry your cooler across crushed-shell sand, and wade into bathwater calm enough for toddlers to chase minnows. Far Beach trades postcard perfection for elbow room, shallow-water snorkeling, and sunsets that paint the mangroves copper and rose.

1 / 8

Conditions right now

Reading live conditions…

Live from Open-Meteo · sea surface temperature and wave data modelled at 1-km grid resolution for Far Beach. Numbers refresh at the hourly tick.

Waves

—

01m2m3m+

Wind

—

kmh

Water

—

Air

—

OnlyBeaches IndexUpdated just now

OBI

—

Live-scored for Far Beach

Tuned for

Purity: 0%
Conditions: 0%
Crowd: 0%
Vibe: 0%

The OnlyBeaches Index weighs four pillars against your chosen persona. Purity comes from water clarity and air-quality heuristics; Conditions from Open-Meteo waves, wind and temperatures; Crowd from historical patterns; Vibe from nearby events within 50 km. The score rebalances throughout the day.

Verified beach

Key Largo·Florida·USA

No reviews yet

familyscenicsunset

Trending This Week

Photos

8 captures from Far Beach

About this beach

Far Beach earns its name—tucked at the southern end of Harry Harris Park, it rewards the five-minute walk from the parking lot with a shoreline locals call their own. The sand here is more crushed coral than talcum, the entry a gentle slope into warm, knee-deep water that stays shallow for fifty yards. Mangroves frame the western edge, their tangled roots ha…

Where it is

Far Beach

Key Largo, Florida, USA

25.1237°, -80.4123°

Open in Google Maps

Top things to do

At Far Beach

Nursery Reef Tour

Restored elkhorn past the buoys

Mangrove Paddle

Western channels, glassy mornings

Sunset Silhouettes

Palms against coral-pink sky

Toddler Shallows

Knee-deep for fifty yards

Near this beach

Places, rentals, tours and events within walking and driving distance of Far Beach.

Loading nearby eat & drink…

Loading nightlife…

Good to know

Questions people actually ask about Far Beach.

Is Far Beach safe for swimming and what are the water conditions like?

Far Beach offers generally calm, shallow waters suitable for families and swimmers of most skill levels. As part of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the beach features protected reef areas that buffer wave action. However, conditions vary with weather and tides. Always check current advisories before swimming. The sandy bottom near shore is comfortable for wading. Watch for sea urchins and fire coral if exploring rocky areas. Lifeguards are not typically present, so supervise children closely and use caution during windy conditions when currents may strengthen.

When is the best time to visit Far Beach in Key Largo?

Far Beach is enjoyable year-round thanks to South Florida's subtropical climate. Winter months (December-April) offer pleasant temperatures in the 70s-80s°F with lower humidity and minimal rain, making this peak season. Summer (June-September) brings warmer, humid weather with afternoon thunderstorms but fewer crowds and better rates. Hurricane season runs June through November. Spring and fall provide comfortable conditions with moderate visitor numbers. For sunset viewing, winter months offer earlier sunsets perfect for families. Water temperatures remain swimmable throughout the year, ranging from mid-70s to mid-80s°F.