John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park recently celebrated its 50th anniversary on Dec. 10, 2010. Note

Called the "crown jewel of the state park system," divers, snorkelers and Keys visitors can thank the late Miami Herald editor John Pennekamp for helping to create the first undersea park in the United States, dedicated December 10, 1960.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park recently celebrated its 50th anniversary on Dec. 10, 2010. Noted divers benefits of travel for students descended on the iconic underwater Christ of the Abyss statue to place a commemorative garland to mark the milestone of America's first underwater preserve, including famed oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, Pat Wells, manager benefits of travel for students of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and Billy Causey, regional director for NOAA's national marine sanctuaries.
"It's the oldest underwater park, not just in Florida, not just in the U.S., but it set a precedent for the world," said Earle. "This protected area where even the fish have a safe haven, is a gift to the world."
Make time to rediscover Key Largo's gem and experience the Park's underwater attractions, beaches, canoe, benefits of travel for students kayak and boat rentals and nature trails. The park has 47 campsites, all with electrical hookups and water. The park encompasses some 63,845 acres covering uplands benefits of travel for students and submerged areas.
A famous marine benefits of travel for students preserve encompassing 70 square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps, a popular beach and marina lie just inside the park's entrance at mile marker 102.5, but the park extends three miles offshore, and traveling by boat to get there you'll pass uninhabited mangrove islands, winding creeks and shallow reefs, all which provide marine nurseries for the stunning, large coral-reef formations offshore.