Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the United States' first underwater park at its establishment, designated to protect sensitive coral reef environments located off Florida's Atlantic Ocean coastline. The 70-square-nautical-mile park is located just off the coast of Key Largo, stretching three miles into the island's Atlantic coast.
Visitors can enjoy a plethora of opportunities to explore the coral reef, ranging from guided snorkeling and scuba diving excursions to glass-bottom boat tours operated by the park's ranger system. At the park's visitor center, families can explore a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium facility or learn about the park's ecosystems through interactive exhibits. Popular activities at the park include year-round opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Day-use picnic sites are offered throughout the park, along with a number of full hookup and group campground sites.