John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park after hurricane Irma: Key Largo, Florida Keys
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park after hurricane Irma in Key Largo, Florida Keys is OPEN! Scuba diving tours are NOT running currently but plan to be in the upcoming weeks or months. The dive shop is also NOT open. The aquarium is NOT open. You will need to call them for details. I will leave all the details in this description including the phone number.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the United States, and encompasses approximately 70 nautical square miles. Located in the fabulous Florida Keys, the park's upland areas offer visitors a unique experience in the mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks. Most visitors, however, are drawn to the park by the coral reefs and their associated marine life. Many enjoy the view from a glass-bottom boat tour; but visitors can also get even closer by scuba diving or snorkeling.
The Visitor Center features a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, nature exhibits and a theater showing nature videos. Nature walks are available along the Mangrove, Wild Tamarind and Grove trails. A 2.5 mile canoe trail winds through the mangrove swamp. Canoe and kayak rentals are available. (While the aquarium is currently not open, kayak and canoe rentals are.)
Underwater at Cannon Beach, artifacts from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck, featuring an anchor and cannons, may be viewed. Marine life, including crabs and fish, may be observed in the seagrass beds.
Picnic tables and grills are located throughout the park. Pavilions are free on a first-come basis, but may be reserved by paying a fee at least 24 hours in advance. Contact the ranger station at (305) 451-1202. Lunch items, gifts and snorkeling equipment may be obtained at the concession.
Reservations are strongly recommended for RVers and tent campers who wish to stay in the campground. Contact Reserve America at (800) 326-3521 or visit ReserveAmerica.com. A group campsite may also be reserved by contacting the ranger station.
Trips to the coral reef are conducted daily aboard a high-speed, stable, air-conditioned, glass-bottom catamaran. Daily snorkeling and scuba [not scuba currently] boat trips are also offered. Call (305) 451-6300 for more information and reservations for boat trips. Instruction for becoming a certified diver is available by calling the DIVE SHOP at (305) 451-6322 [currently closed].
A boat ramp (2) and motorboat rentals are available at the marina.
Marina slips and Largo Sound moorings may be rented overnight.
[Boat rentals, slips and moorings may be unavailable at this time due to Irma so be sure to call for the latest updates.] Contact the dockmaster at (305) 451-6325. To protect the coral, day-use moorings are provided as an alternative to anchoring at the reef.
Nature & History
The park was created to protect and preserve a portion of the only living coral reef in the continental United States. The park extends three miles into the Atlantic Ocean, is approximately 21 miles in length and is adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
The park is named for one of the early proponents of the preservation of its reef, John D. Pennekamp. Pennekamp was a Miami newspaper editor who also helped establish Everglades National Park.
The park contains a wide variety of tropical vegetation, shorebirds and marine life. The coral reefs are among the most beautiful and diverse of all living communities. Coral reefs are made of tiny animals called polyps. Stony corals, such as star coral and brain coral, secrete a limestone skeleton around their bodies. These skeletons remain after death and provide the foundation for new polyp growth. Octocorals, such as sea fans and sea plumes, are flexible and sway gracefully in the ocean current as they feed on plankton.
Sponges, shrimps, crabs, turtles, lobsters and hundreds of species of fish live among the corals. These reefs occur only in shallow oceans having clear, warm waters. It took approximately 5,000 years for this coral reef to form.
At the reef, snorkelers delight in seeing many colorful tropical fish and corals. Anglers can fish for a wide variety of species in diverse habitats.
Touching or standing on corals may kill them and is therefore prohibited. Anglers will need a saltwater fishing license. Spearfishing is prohibited. Collection of tropical fish is not allowed. No lobster may be harvested from or within any coral formation.
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A Guide To John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park By Land * Full-time RV Living *
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Physical Address:
Mile Marker 102.5 Overseas Highway
Key Largo, FL 33037-0487
GPS: 25.126992, -80.409178
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