Cannon Beach

Located in the city of Key Largo in Monroe County, Cannon Beach is a small beach with beige sand and some rocky portions.  Cannon Beach is part of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and there are many kinds of plants near the beach including seagrass, mangrove trees, pine trees, and palm trees.  Cannon Beach received its name from the 17th-century cannon remnants of a sunken ship sitting along its sands, as well as a Spanish shipwreck that lies 100 feet from the shore, adding a historical edge to this beach.  

Although the beach does not have lifeguards, it has many other amenities including restrooms, showers, picnic tables, pavilions, and a barbeque grill facility.  Dogs are not allowed on Cannon Beach, and it is open from 8 am until sunset.  

Cannon Beach offers many fun activities including swimming, snorkeling, diving, camping, glass-bottom boating, kayaking, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife watching.  The beach is ideal for snorkeling - snorkelers can explore a large variety of tropical fish, orange starfish, lobsters, crabs, shrimp, squids, turtles, barracudas, and tunas.  If you are an experienced diver, you can make your way underwater to the old Spanish shipwreck close to the beach.  If you plan to go in the water near the beach, swimming can be difficult due to coral reefs, seaweed, and jellyfish.  Depending on the time of year, visitors may spot manatees, tarpons, [R1] dolphins, and sea turtles in the water near the beach.  It is important to note that Cannon Beach also has a rocky sea bottom, so we recommend wearing aqua socks or water shoes.  This beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quiet beach experience.

Getting to Cannon Beach is easy - the beach has a paid parking lot that is located at 102601 Overseas Highway.  The fee is nine dollars per vehicle, and once you park, you will need to walk a few minutes east to the beach.

There are many attractions near Cannon Beach.  Theatre of the Sea hosts interesting encounters with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, sea lions, seals, alligators, and birds.   This marine park also offers swimming and snorkelling experiences, as well as interactive animal-feeding and animal petting sessions.  History of Diving Museum has a small gallery displaying the artifacts and diving-related memorabilia including diving helmets, hand-operated air pumps, armoured suits, lights, gear, and other equipment showcasing the evolution of diving.  If you are looking for another attraction near Cannon Beach, Coral Castle is a museum that features an outdoor garden with sculptures carved with over 1,100 tons of coral rock.  These sculptures are hand-carved secretly by only one man (Edward Leedskalnin) with an unknown process - visitors from all over the world come to explore this museum.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Cannon Beach.  Sol by the Sea is an upscale seafood restaurant that offers light-filled views and serves amazing salads, lobsters, clams mussels, sandwiches, burgers, rolls, and steaks.  DiGiorgio’s Cafe Largo offers many incredible Italian dishes including appetizers, soup, salad, ravioli, lasagne, risotto, steaks, pasta, pizza, and seafood - it also serves gluten-free dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Cannon Beach, the modestly priced Tacos Jalisco serves amazing Mexican cuisine including seafood, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, fajitas.

If you are looking for a hotel near Cannon Beach, there are many great nearby options.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection is 10 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including a gym, a spa, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, tennis courts, and several restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Key Largo Bay Marriott Beach Resort offers many amenities including a spa, a fitness gym, a hot tub, an outdoor pool, and a restaurant.  As another moderately priced option, the 3-Star Holiday Inn Key Largo, an IHG Hotel offers many amenities including a gym, a hot tub, an outdoor pool, and a seafood restaurant.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Cannon Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Gilbert’s Resort offers several amenities including an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.