About John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
The first undersea park in the U.S., John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park encompasses approximately 70 nautical square miles off the Florida Keys…primarily Key Largo. The upper areas of the park have mangrove swamps that offer visitors a unique experience, but it is the coral reefs and their associated marine life that bring most visitors to the park. Many enjoy the view of the reef from a glass-bottom boat tour, but visitors can get a closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling.
Canoeing and kayaking through the park’s waters are popular activities; fishing is permitted in designated areas. Visitors can enjoy walking on short trails, picnicking, or swimming at the beach. The Visitor Center has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and nature videos are shown in its theater. Full-facility and Youth/Group campsites are available. Beach wheelchairs are available without cost.
Free 24 hour WI-FI at Concession Building and Dive Shop Building.
About the Statue of Christ of the Abyss:
One of the most famous sites in the Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the Christ of the Abyss, located near North Dry Rocks. The 8 1⁄2-foot-tall statue of Jesus Christ weighs 4,000 pounds and stands in nearly 25 feet of water. It is a popular site for scuba divers and snorkelers.
The statue is located about 7 miles east of the shore from Key Largo.
The statue is a third casting of Il Cristo Degli Abissi in the Mediterranean Sea near Genoa, Italy, which was placed there in 1954. The Christ of the Abyss was donated to the Underwater Society of America in 1961 by Italian scuba entrepreneur Egidio Cressi and placed in its current location in 1965. In their current positions, the two statues face each other
Traveling to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park:
Address: 102601 Overseas Highway (Mileage Marker 102.5), Key Largo, FL 33037
Tel: (305) 451-6300
email: info@pennekamppark.com
Click here for the official website of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
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