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Coral and fish on the reef at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

No. 18 Top Landmarks & Attractions 2026

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Key Largo, Florida, United States

America's first undersea park: coral reefs, mangroves and glass-bottom boats in the Florida Keys.

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Photo: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is No. 18 in Tripadvisor's Travelers' Choice Best of the Best 2026 ranking of the top attractions in the world. Dedicated in 1960 and opened to the public in 1963, it was the first undersea park in the United States. It is named after John D. Pennekamp, a Miami Herald editor who campaigned for it and for Everglades National Park.

Most of the park is underwater. Together with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, it protects about 178 square nautical miles of coral reef, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps on the only living coral reef in the continental United States. Visitors explore it by glass-bottom boat, by snorkelling or diving, or by kayak and paddleboard.

The entrance area of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo
The entrance area of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo. Photo: Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Best time to visit

The park is open every day of the year. Seas are often calmest from late spring to early autumn, but summer is hot, with afternoon thunderstorms, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Boat trips depend on the weather, so keep your plans flexible.

Highlights

  • 1

    Glass-bottom boat tours

    See the reef, its corals and tropical fish without getting wet, on boat trips out to the reefs several miles offshore.

  • 2

    Snorkelling and diving

    Snorkel and dive trips run to shallow reefs teeming with fish. Equipment can be rented in the park.

  • 3

    Christ of the Abyss

    A 9-foot (2.7 m) bronze statue of Christ, cast from Guido Galletti's original near Genoa, stands in about 25 feet (8 m) of water at Key Largo Dry Rocks. It was placed there in 1965.

  • 4

    Mangroves by kayak

    Kayaks and paddleboards can be rented to explore the mangrove trails and sheltered waters near the shore.

  • 5

    Visitor center

    Exhibits and a large saltwater aquarium introduce the reef's ecology.

Getting there

The entrance is at mile marker 102.5 on the Overseas Highway (US 1) in Key Largo, about an hour to an hour and a half's drive south of Miami. Miami International Airport is the nearest major airport. There is no practical public transport, so most visitors drive.

Practical tips

Tickets & hours
There is a per-vehicle entry fee. Boat tours, snorkel and dive trips and rentals cost extra; book in advance in busy periods. Check the official website for fees and hours.
Protect the reef
Do not touch or stand on coral, and do not feed the fish.
Time needed
Half a day for a boat trip and a look around; a full day if you also snorkel or kayak.
Currency
US dollar (USD). Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere. Tipping is customary: around 18–20% in sit-down restaurants and a dollar or two per drink in bars.
Safety
Bring sun protection and plenty of water, and follow the crew's safety briefing on boat trips. The emergency number is 911.
Visa & entry
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (including the UK, most EU countries, Australia and Japan) need an approved ESTA before they travel; most other visitors need a visa. Canadian citizens generally need neither for a short visit. Apply only on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov and check travel.state.gov for the current rules.

Official information: John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park (Florida State Parks). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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