The full title of this article by Anna Robinson (Explore) is “This Magical Destination in the Florida Keys is Home to the First Undersea Park in the US.” Robinson highlights John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park as one of the most exciting “undersea wonderlands” in Florida.
[. . .] One of these undersea wonderlands is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park near Key Largo in the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys are home to one of the world’s largest barrier reefs, and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the perfect place to experience this vibrant, yet vulnerable ecosystem.
Once you visit John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, you’ll easily see why Miami newspaper editor John Pennekamp advocated for its protection and why in 1963, it became the first underwater park in the United States. To make sense of the park’s miles and miles of protected coast, start your journey at the Visitor Center. The huge aquarium here can give you a taste of what is to come when you get out onto the water yourself. The Visitor Center has a Maritime Heritage Exhibit too, where you can learn about multiple shipwrecks excavated near Key Largo.
Explore both coral reef and mangrove ecosystems
Check out the wildlife at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park with a glass-bottom boat tour. These 2.5-hour tours take you to shallow waters with excellent coral visibility. Between stops, enjoy the ocean views from the boat’s double decker bow and stern. Among the hundreds of species, try to spot anemones, lobster, parrotfish, and snappers.
To get closer to the wildlife, book a snorkeling or scuba diving tour at John Pennekamp. If you don’t already have your scuba license, you can get it with the park’s PADI classes. For either type of tour, you can bring your own equipment or rent whatever you need. If you want to snorkel without booking a tour, head to Cannon Beach and see if you can find artifacts from an early 18th century shipwreck placed near the shore.
While John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is obviously famous for its amazing coral ecosystems, this natural space has mangroves worth exploring too. Rent a paddleboard, kayak, or a canoe to meander through the aquatic trails surrounded by the seemingly untouched greenery of mangrove plant life. [. . .]
For full article, see https://www.explore.com/2085303/john-pennekamp-state-park-florida-keys-coral-reef-first-undersea-us/
The full title of this article by Anna Robinson (Explore) is “This Magical Destination in the Florida Keys is Home to the First Undersea Park in the US.” Robinson highlights John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park as one of the most exciting “undersea wonderlands” in Florida. [. . .] One of these undersea wonderlands is John
