Cannon Beach

Sandy beach
102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA
474 miles from Panama City Beach, FL
Cleanliness
Water quality
Crowded
Impressions
Overall
Grades suggested by our reviewer
Water Quality
Warning (read more)

Beach amenities

  • WCPublic restrooms nearby
  • ParkingCar parking nearby
  • Gear rentalsEquipment for rent
  • ShowerPublic showers available
  • Picnic tablesPicnic benches available
👉 Download a FREE PDF map

About this beach

Warnings and hazards

Water shoes are recommended – there are many rocks at the bottom.

Always remain alligator conscious while swimming at Florida beaches.

It is better to buy water equipment in advance – shops in the Florida Keys are notoriously expensive.

Located within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the calm and scenic Cannon Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the area and is definitely worth a visit in case you’re spending your vacation in Key Largo.

Cannon Beach got its name thanks to the XVIIth-century cannons sitting along its sands and adding a historical edge to the beach atmosphere. It’s a great little spot on the shore to spend a day with your family and friends – and kids will be fond of the cannons for sure!

Location and Access

Cannon Beach is located at 102601 Overseas Highway in Key Largo. The beach is public but you’ll have to pay the state park fee in order to access it, which is $9 per two people (but if you pay $43 to camp overnight, you won’t have to pay for entrance).

Facilities and Services

Visitors can make use of well-maintained toilets and showers. There are shaded picnic tables where you can eat your lunch in comfort. If you want to add more impressions to your vacation, you can rent a kayak or buy a boat tour on-site.

Swimming Conditions

Cannon Beach features soft fine sand and warm shallow water without big waves where even small children can play and swim safely. There is a roped-off swimming area. Be aware that the bottom is quite rocky so water shoes are highly recommended!

Snorkeling and Diving

The beach is also very good for snorkeling. There is plenty of tropical fish and other marine life (including crabs and shrimp) to watch and admire. If you’re an experienced diver, you can make your way underwater to an old Spanish shipwreck close to the beach.

Other Activities

John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park has beautiful nature trails and offers great camping opportunities. The RV sites are spacious, equipped with water, electric, and sewer hookups, and the price is very reasonable. Nature lovers will enjoy walking and wildlife watching – local fauna includes snakes, lizards, and iguanas. There are also various bird species to be found in the area.

Driving Time

  • 1 hour 10 minutes from Miami, FL
  • 1 hour 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • 2 hours 35 minutes from Naples, FL

Hotels and rentals

If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:

Beaches nearby

Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Cannon Beach which you can visit:

Beach reviewed by:
Phil R.
Photos from Google Maps
Rocks in the seaCannon BeachBird on the beachCoastCannon BeachUnderwater lifeFishJohn Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park shield
Show rooms near this beach×

Visitor questions:

Question: Does Cannon beach reach 25 feet deep?
Asked by Ivonne Jimenez about 3 years ago
Answer: It gets only 7-12 ft deep when you get as far as 100 ft from the shore.
Question: How many feet deep the drop off is the most on Cannon Beach?
Asked by Irene A. Williams about 3 years ago
Answer: It gets 7-12 ft deep when you get as far as 100 ft from the shore. You might be interested to know that there are several cannons and a large anchor from an old Spanish shipwreck located at the buoys.
Question: Can I get married (elope) here? Can I set up an arbor? What are the costs? Thank you!
Asked by Ashlynn N. about 4 years ago
Answer: Wedding ceremonies are often held in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. To get informed about the costs and the opportunity to set up an arbor, please contact the State Park administration +1-305-676-3777.

Cannon Beach videos

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
A serene drone made video of the park
Snorkeling in Pennecamp State Park
An intriguing underwater video of snorkeling at the beach

Weather conditions

Current weather at the beach and 3 day forecast

Best times to visit

Average temperature (°F)
Beach map and directions
The beach is located in Key Largo, Florida 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA (Open on Google Maps)
Drag and zoom the map to view lodging options near the beach.
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Cannon Beach reviews and photos
Reviewed on: December 8, 2019