JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF
STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller May 25, 2025

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, in Key Largo, Florida, spans 70 nautical square miles. Established in 1963, it’s the first undersea park in the U.S.

The park protects a vibrant coral reef, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps. Visitors can snorkel, dive, or take glass-bottom boat tours to explore marine life.

Land activities include hiking and kayaking. It’s a gateway to the Florida Keys’ underwater world. 

Christ of the Abyss underwater statue at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

Named after John D. Pennekamp, a Miami Herald editor, the park opened in 1963. Pennekamp advocated for reef conservation in the 1950s.

His efforts led to the park’s creation to protect the only living coral reef in the continental United States. President Eisenhower designated the adjacent Key Largo Coral Reef Preserve in 1960.

The park was established with help from the Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials. It remains a model for marine conservation. 

Located at 102601 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, at Mile Marker 102.5, the park is open daily from 8 am to sunset. The visitor center, with aquariums and exhibits, closes at 5 pm.

Snorkeling and diving tours require reservations, especially in peak season. Glass-bottom boat tours run daily; book early. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available.

Three short trails offer mangrove and hardwood hammock views. Bring sunscreen, water, and non-slip shoes.

Check weather conditions before water activities. Pets are allowed in designated areas but must be leashed. Visit the website for park closures.  

• The park is home to the Christ of the Abyss, a 9-foot underwater statue placed in 1965.
  
  
• The park protects over 600 species of fish and 40 types of coral.
  
  
• The reef is part of the third-largest barrier reef system in the world.
  
  
• Molasses Reef, a popular dive site, has remnants of a 19th-century shipwreck.
  
  
• The park’s cannon, displayed onshore, was recovered from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck.
  
  
• Mangrove trails reveal juvenile fish nurseries critical to the ecosystem.
  
  
• The park’s glass-bottom boats were among the first in the U.S. for reef viewing. 

JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK WEBSITE