Established in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the United States. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, cover approximately 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. The park extends 3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately 25 miles in length. These areas were established to protect and preserve a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1972.
The park named for the late John D. Pennekamp, a Miami newspaper editor, whose efforts contributed to the establishments of Everglades National Park and the preservation of what would become John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
The park contains a wide variety of tropical vegetation, shore birds and marine life. While the mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks offer visitors a unique and interesting experience, it is the coral formations and associated marine life that most park visitors come to enjoy. The coral reef at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park are among the most beautiful and diverse of all living communities.
There’s a lot to do inside the park. Visitors can camp, snorkel, scuba dive, hike tour the museum or board the famous glass bottom boat for a tour of the reefs. The glass bottom boat offers a unique glimpse into the serene undersea world in style and comfort. At 65 feet in length, this high-speed catamaran is capable of transporting up to 130 passengers to the various nautical destinations of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The itinerary includes a number of shallow reefs teeming with wildlife. Tours are 2 ½ hours long.
The park also offers snorkeling trips, and personal or group in-water guides are available upon request for $45 plus tax. Each additional snorkeler (guided) is $15 plus tax. Max. group size is 6 snorkelers per guide.
Divers from around the world visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to explore the living coral reefs of the Florida Keys and experience diving amidst the area’s natural wildlife habitat. Our PADI 5-Star Gold Palm facility offers two-location, two-tank dives twice daily, at 9:00am and 1:30pm.
Equipment rental is available. Contact the dive shop about reservations and special rates for groups and pre-paid tours.
Visitors can also rent boats, kayaks and paddle boards at the park.
102601 Overseas Highway (MM 102.5)
Key Largo, FL 33037
P.O. Box 1560
(305) 451-630
www.pennekamppark.com
