The park was established in 1963 to protect the only living coral reef in the continental United States.
It is named after John Pennekamp, a newspaper editor who played a pivotal role in creating the park.
The 'Christ of the Abyss' statue, a 9-foot tall bronze figure, is located underwater at the Dry Rocks reef site.
The park's mangrove trails cover approximately 50 miles of waterways.
The reefs within the park are part of the third-largest barrier reef system in the world.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the United States, encompassing 70 nautical square miles of Atlantic coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps. The park serves as a gateway to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Visitors access the reef ecosystem primarily through guided snorkeling and scuba tours via boat. The park maintains a fleet of glass-bottom boats for those who prefer to view the marine life without entering the water. On-shore activities include kayak and canoe rentals for navigating the park's internal mangrove trails. The park features a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium located in the visitor center. Camping facilities are available for both RVs and tents within the park grounds. Extensive beach access is provided for swimming and sunbathing.
The elevated observation deck overlooking the mangrove trail system or the underwater Christ of the Abyss statue if scuba diving.
Book your boat tours online several weeks in advance, especially during spring and holiday weekends.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen to comply with environmental regulations and protect the coral ecosystem.
Check the wind and sea conditions before arrival, as tours are frequently cancelled due to high waves or poor visibility.
Avoid visiting during heavy storm surges or high wind warnings, as snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours will be suspended.
Do not touch, stand on, or collect coral or marine life; use only biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen.
