John Pennekamp Coral Reef ~ Sunday, October 9

The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park includes approximately 3,169 acres of upland and 53,860 acres of submerged lands on North Key Largo.  It’s the 3rd largest barrier reef in the world and the only barrier reef in North America.

On Sunday we went snorkeling in two locations at the park.  The first snorkel location was around 40 feet deep and the second was deeper, more like 80 feet deep. Both hard and soft corals were abundant including a large number of sea fans. There were many schools of fish swarming about.  I spotted a ray swimming quickly by – I couldn’t tell whether or not it was a spotted ray. The visibility was excellent at both spots.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park courtesy FKNMS/NOAA