John Pennekamp Park Is Florida's Best Snorkeling Spot

And not just for the fish sightings.

If you’re looking for Jesus, head to Key Largo and bring your snorkel. While most snorkeling spots are prized for their fish sightings, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in The Keys has an additional draw: a statue of Jesus Christ (although the sea life is fantastic, too). In fact, the park is so special, Southern Living readers voted it the top snorkeling spot in Florida in our 2024 South's Best Awards.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park History

The first undersea park in the United States, Pennekamp was created in 1963 by a group of forward-thinking environmentalists (including the late Miami newspaper editor John D. Pennekamp) to help save a portion of North America’s only living coral reef. Since then, the protected area has become a haven for hundreds of species of tropical fish, seagrass, turtles, sponges, and more, and the location of a popular piece of art.

Related: 11 Florida National Parks You Should Plan To Visit And Explore

What Is The Christ Of The Abyss?

About 25 feet below the surface at the Key Largo Dry Rocks reef is a nine-foot-tall bronze sculpture of Jesus with his arms outstretched, as if blessing the sea and all its creatures. Plants and algae cover the statue and its concrete platform, making it look like a part of the reef itself. Best viewed by scuba divers, but visible to snorkelers, you must take a boat out to see it. Many local tour companies offer daily rides.

Called “Christ of the Abyss” or “Christ of the Deep,” the statue was created by Italian artist Guido Galletti and installed in the park in 1965. Galletti made three of these bronze sculptures that we know of—the first one is in the Mediterranean Sea (near Genoa), the second is in St. George's Harbor in Grenada, and the third was donated to the Underwater Society of America, which is how it ended up at Pennekamp.

What Else Is There To Do At John Pennekamp?

Although the Christ of the Abyss statue is still a popular attraction all these years later, conservation and education are Pennekamp’s true mission. Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle board at the park and explore 50 miles of natural mangrove trails, or take a guided walking tour.

Ride on a glass-bottomed boat, enjoy the park’s 30,000 gallon aquarium, or snorkel around an off-shore reef. Whatever you choose, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for Florida’s delicate and diverse underwater ecosystem.

Related: The Best State Parks In Every Southern State

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