Coral Reef Park Company, Inc.

Concessioner of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo

Coral Reef Park Company, Inc. is the sole concessioner operating within John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo, Florida Keys. The company manages the park's water activities and visitor services, including snorkeling tours, scuba dives, glass-bottom boat tours, and kayak and canoe rentals.

Snorkeling and scuba diving tours on the coral reefs

Snorkeling tours last two and a half hours (round trip) and are strictly non-scuba for the comfort of passengers. Water time is approximately one and a half hours, depending on the location. The shallow-water coral reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary are the setting for these outings.

For scuba diving, the company offers dives on the park's living reefs, frequented by divers from around the world seeking to observe the area's marine life.

Glass-bottom boat with capacity for 130 passengers

The glass-bottom boat tour is conducted aboard a 65-foot high-speed catamaran with capacity for up to 130 passengers. The boat allows viewing of the underwater world in comfort and without the need to dive, with destinations at various points in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Kayak and canoe rentals in the mangroves

The company rents sit-on-top kayaks and canoes to explore the 50 miles of natural mangrove wilderness trails within the park's waters. This activity allows visitors to explore the mangrove area and the park's coastal habitats.

History and setting of the park

Established in 1963, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the United States. Together with the adjacent Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, it encompasses approximately 178 nautical square miles of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove swamps. The park extends 3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and is approximately 25 miles in length. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1972. Its name honors John D. Pennekamp, a Miami newspaper editor whose efforts contributed to the creation of Everglades National Park and the preservation of what would become this state park.

The park is home to a wide variety of tropical vegetation, shore birds, and marine life. Although the mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks offer a unique experience, it is the coral formations and their associated marine life that attract most visitors.

Park facilities and services

The Visitor Center has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and a theater where nature videos are shown. There are full-facility and youth/group campsites. Beach wheelchairs are available at no cost. Free Wi-Fi is available 24 hours in the concession building and the dive shop building. The tour boats have at least one vessel equipped to accommodate the boarding of wheelchairs for guests with special needs.

Access to the park is from Miami via Florida's Turnpike south to US 1, continuing to Key Largo, with the park entrance on the left at Mile Marker 102.5.

Management and ownership

Randy and Mary Pegram are the owners and operators of the concessions at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, as well as those at Bahia Honda State Park. Graduates of the University of Miami and founders of Banana Boat Suncare, the Pegrams have made their home in the Florida Keys for many years.

Location and contact

102601 Overseas Highway (MM 102.5) Key Largo, FL 33037