Dive Pennekamp Reef!

An Aquatic Paradise

Founded in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park created in the United States. The park's name is to honor the late John D. Pennekamp, a Miami newspaper editor, whose efforts contributed to the establishment of Everglades National Park and the preservation of what would become John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The park and adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps. These areas were established to protect and preserve the only living coral reef along the coast of the continental USA. If time is limited, be sure to make reservations for the boat trips.

The park contains a large selection of tropical vegetation, birds and marine life. The mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks offer visitors a unique experience, it's the coral formations and the marine life that bring most visitors come to the park. The park lands and waters are teeming with life. This is a great spot to put on your list of stops while visiting Florida.

Yours truly missed this years trip, but my father and brother-in-law did make the trip and had a great trip except my brother-in-law accidentally purchased the wrong camera housing (used - no returns) and wasn't able to use his new digital video camera. At least he only spent $25 on it, so no big loss - just a memory booster to "read the fine print". He needed a good waterproof digital camcorder case for a little more money, to have picked up some spectacular shots. My Father told me the reefs were just filled with fish, and some schools were so large that you couldn't see more than a few inches in front of your face until they had passed. They saw a good 10 - 12 ft nurse shark as they swam around a section of the reef and kind of froze solid wondering what to do next. The shark decided with a quick flick of his tail - he spun 180 degrees and shot off in the other direction like a bullet. These big fish can sure generate some power with their large tails and stocky builds. There were a lot of barracuda and several moray eels were spotted. It sounded too good to be true, but that's what Pennekamp Reef is like - a true wonderland of every variety of fish can be seen visiting the reef.

For those who like to do a little snooping around, there are tunnels and caverns that a diver can swim into and come out at the other end or even a different spot on the reef completely. There are camping and lodging facilities right at the State Park and you're also very conveniently located to other accommodations as well. The Park is also "pet friendly" for those who have their family pet along for their vacation. I highly recommend diving Pennekamp Reef - you won't be sorry!