John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Essentials

Established in 1963 as the first undersea park in the United States, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park encompasses approximately 70 nautical square miles of protected waters. The park provides access to the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US. Key features include a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, mangrove-lined waterways for kayaking, and beaches containing 17th-century Spanish shipwreck artifacts. Visitors can explore the offshore reefs through glass-bottom boat tours, snorkeling, and scuba diving excursions.