America’s First Underwater Park Guards a Sunken Christ Statue 25 Feet Below Florida Waters

Right in the heart of Key Largo, Florida

Wanna hunt for historic shipwrecks? Florida’s got you. And that’s America’s first underwater state park: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. 

Established by a Miami newspaper editor in 1963, this place has protected 70 square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps that attract thousands looking for adventure. 

Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Jump aboard the Spirit of Pennekamp for a relaxing 2.5-hour boat ride to see underwater wonders while staying dry.

Through the boat’s viewing windows, you’ll watch stoplight parrotfish, queen angelfish, and loggerhead sea turtles swim by as you cruise over spectacular coral formations at Grecian Rocks.

The boat leaves from the main marina three times daily, but departure timings vary based on season. While you cruise, marine experts share fascinating facts about the reef ecosystem. Morning trips offer the clearest views, especially between 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM.

The park also has a wheelchair-friendly glass-bottom boat, “Spirit of Pennekamp,” for people with special needs. 

Snorkeling Adventures

Grab some snorkel gear and head to spots like Cannon Patch Reef. Three-hour guided tours take you to the famous sites like Christ of the Abyss statue at Key Largo Dry Rocks.

You’ll see rare elkhorn coral colonies thriving in Carysfort Reef. The water stays warm year-round from 72°F in winter to 84°F in summer. 

Snorkeling tours depart four times daily from the park. Gear rental prices are generally around $3 to $7 for a set. First-timers can train with PADI-certified instructors before heading out.

The calmest waters come between May and September, with visibility reaching 50 feet. Take a special evening tour with underwater lights for a unique view of nocturnal marine life.

Scuba Diving Expeditions

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park protects part of the Florida Reef Tract, the third-largest coral barrier reef system that’s home to more than 650 fish species.

Local dive shops like Ocean Divers and Sail Fish Scuba run daily two-tank dives to amazing spots like Molasses Reef. It features the Winch Hole, a dive site with artifacts from the 1887 Slobadana schooner wreck.

Advanced divers can explore French Reef’s swim-through caves and overhangs at 40 feet deep, home to resident goliath groupers weighing up to 400 pounds.

The water stays clearest from December through April, with visibility over 60 feet, and temperatures rarely drop below 72°F.

Kayaking Through Mangrove Trails

Adventure through 50 miles of peaceful mangrove forests that create nurseries for baby fish.

Some take 90 minutes and pass nesting ospreys and roseate spoonbills, while the more challenging Mangrove Trail takes you through tunnels of hanging branches. You can rent a two-person kayak for $17 to 25 per hour, including paddles and life vests.

Nature guides lead eco-tours during daylight hours for $45 per person, teaching visitors how mangroves filter pollutants and protect shorelines from storms.

Nature Walking Trails

Two easy trails wind through a tropical hardwood hammock filled with 120-year-old lignum vitae trees and rare mahogany mistletoe.

The Wild Tamarind Trail runs for 0.3 miles, while the Grove Trail stretches 0.5 miles, both with smooth crushed shell paths perfect for wheelchairs (sometimes led by biologists). Early morning walks are best times to spot white-crowned pigeons hunting berries and golden orb weavers spinning giant webs.

Signs help you identify poisonwood trees and golden leather ferns, and the Grove Trail has shaded benches with views of the mangrove coast.

Camping Under the Stars

Spend the night in a tropical forest at one of 42 camping spots that welcome RVs up to 40 feet. Telescopes are provided.

Each spot comes with 30/50 amp electrical service, water hookups, a picnic table, and a grill, plus access to two modern bathhouses with hot showers and laundry facilities.

Some tents offer the most privacy, tucked among gumbo limbo and mahogany trees. You can book spots up to 11 months ahead through Reserve America.

Just remember, the longer you stay, the more discounts you get. Ticket prices range from $36 up to $100 per night depending on the season.

Beach Relaxation

Enjoy the beach’s soft, fine sand and shallow waters (perfect for wade-in snorkeling).

Cannon Beach features artifacts from an early Spanish shipwreck, located about 100 feet offshore. Along its 1,200-foot shoreline, you’ll find picnic pavilions and plenty of space.

Far Beach’s 450-foot stretch offers quieter spots among sea grape trees and coconut palms. It’s also super accessible for wheelchairs via a Mobi-Mat. Both beaches provide chair rentals for $5, outdoor showers, and grills.

There are no lifeguards here, so swimming is at your own risk. 

Educational Programs

The 6,000-square-foot visitor center houses a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium showcasing living coral, nurse sharks, and moray eels.

Kids love the touch tanks, where they can safely handle marine creatures like horseshoe crabs and sea cucumbers with staff supervision. Attend fish feedings at the aquarium (11 AM) or join a ranger-led program focused on coral reef preservation.

There’s Reef Ranger for the kids. The center also shows educational documentaries about reef ecology with artifacts like cannons and anchors from centuries-old shipwrecks.

Sunset Sailing

Catch amazing sunset views aboard Keys Sailing’s 50-foot catamaran Reef Runner, which leaves daily at 5:30 PM in summer or 4:30 PM in winter.

While you cruise for two hours, bottlenose dolphins often ride the bow waves, and photographers love capturing the golden light on the mangroves. Your ticket includes champagne, soft drinks, and light snacks.

The sunset creates perfect lighting for photos of the mangrove coastline and the Christ of the Deep statue’s silhouette, best for capturing on your lens. 

Fishing Adventures

From March to May, anglers try catching mangrove snapper, grouper, and tarpon in the park’s channels using light tackle or fly gear.

The deeper Hawk Channel (from 9 to 34 feet,) holds kingfish and sailfish, especially during winter migrations. Local guides like Captain Wilson’s Charters offer half-day trips for $450, including licenses, tackle, and fish cleaning.

You can also fish from shore along the mangrove trails and Far Beach, but make sure to follow seasonal catch limits. If you want to learn more, try their tide-based fishing workshops this year. 

Historical Exploration

The park opens at 8:00 AM daily, with extended summer hours until 8:00 PM. Discover 10 historic sites, including three Spanish galleons from the 1733 fleet.

The famous Christ of the Abyss statue, placed in 1965 at Key Largo Dry Rocks, stands 8.5 feet tall in 25 feet of crystal-clear water.

The Maritime Heritage Trail exhibition shows 6,000 years of Florida Keys history through Calusa Indian tools, colonial navigation instruments, and Spanish treasure fleet artifacts.

Join a $5 guided walk exploring the park’s maritime history every Tuesday and Thursday morning.