John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Underwater state park in Key Largo, United States.
John Pennekamp State Park extends across 70 nautical square miles of Atlantic Ocean waters, featuring coral reefs, mangrove swamps, and tropical hammocks.
The park, established in 1963, marked a milestone as the first underwater park in the United States and gained National Register of Historic Places status in 1972.
The visitor center features a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, educational exhibits, and nature films that showcase the marine ecosystems of the Florida Keys.
Guests can explore the marine environment through glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling expeditions, scuba diving trips, or kayaking adventures along designated water trails.
The underwater Christ of the Abyss statue, submerged 25 feet below the surface, stands as an 8.5-foot bronze monument among the coral formations.
Location: Monroe County
Inception: 1963
Address: 102601 Overseas Hwy 33037 Key Largo
Website: https://floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park
GPS coordinates: 25.12068,-80.40450
Latest update: May 27, 2025 08:48
Florida combines multiple facets: Orlando's amusement parks, the protected wetlands of the Everglades, Miami's beaches, and the Keys archipelago. This route passes through national parks, historic sites, coastal lighthouses, and botanical gardens. Visitors explore diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests, coral reefs, and natural springs. It includes natural reserves such as the J.N. Darling Wildlife Refuge in Sanibel, home to over 245 bird species across 2,800 hectares, or the Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter, where waves spray seawater up to 15 meters high. Garden enthusiasts discover Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales with its 60-meter tower and 60-bell carillon, or the Morikami Museum in Delray Beach showcasing Japanese garden art. Cayo Costa State Park offers 14 kilometers of untouched coastlines, while Manatee Park in Fort Myers allows observing these marine mammals from November to March in warm waters.
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