The first underwater state park in the United States, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park covers approximately 70 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. These park areas were designated to protect and preserve a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental United States.
Coral reefs are made up of skeletal remains of corals, other animals and plants which have been cemented together by limestone secretions and calcareous algae.
The park has 53,661 acres of submerged land and 2,350 acres of uplands. The park's uplands are home to many rare and endangered plants.
The park offers swimming, snorkeling, picnicking, camping, fishing and boat ramp access. Concessions within the park offer glassbottom boat tours, a snorkeling tour, scuba lessons and tours, canoeing, motorboat and sailboat rentals.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located at Mile Marker 102.5, north of Key Largo.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
P.O. Box 487
Key Largo, Florida 33037
(305) 451-1202