John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is unique underwater state park focused on the marine life and vegetation found in the oceans surrounding the state of Florida. It is the first one of its kind in the United States.

The park covers over seventy nautical square miles of land and sea and features a variety of marine life from the mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks to the coral reefs. Visitors can enjoy a view of the reef system and their inhabitants through a glass bottomed boat tour, scuba diving, or snorkeling. Swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular activities in the state park. Fishing is also permitted in several designated fishing zones.

For those who do not want or cannot go into the open ocean, a thirty thousand gallon saltwater aquarium is on display at the visitors center.