Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park:
The first underwater park in the U.S., John Pennekamp encompasses approximately 70 nautical square miles.
While the mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks in the parks upland areas offer visitors a unique experience,
it is the coral reefs and their associated marine life that bring most visitors to the park. Most enjoy the view
from a glass bottom boat tour, but visitors can get a closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling through the reefs.
Canoeing and kayaking through the parks waters are popular activities; fishing is permitted in designated areas.
Visitors can enjoy hiking two short trails, or picnicking and swimming at the beach. The visitor center has a 30,000
gallon saltwater aquarium and theater showing nature videos. Fullfacility and youth/group campgrounds are available.
Located at Mile Marker 102.5.
For more information please visit:
www.floridastateparks.org/pennekamp/default.cfm
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary:
The sanctuary has developed a mooring buoy system to preserve the reefs and reduce anchor damage by novice boaters.
Open to the public for free and on a first-come-first-serve basis, the buoys are clearly marked and all are
located at good dive sites located throughout the Sanctuary. The mooring buoy brochure, distributed daily by
Sanctuary officers, is also available at the Sanctuary office and can be found at numerous dive shops and motels
throughout Key Largo.
For more information please visit:
http://www.fknms.nos.noaa.gov/visitor_information/welcome.html
Everglades National Park:
Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park is the only
subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass
prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments.
The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork,
great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist
side by side. Everglades National Park has been designated a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve,
and a Wetland of International Importance.
For further information please visit:
www.everglades.national-park.com
Dolphin Cove:
Established in February 1998, Dolphin Cove is set on a five acre, natural on-water site. They offer a wide range or
marine learning programs. They include:
Structured and natural Dolphin encounters.
Guided kayak and Bayside tours.
Backcountry Everglade ecology tours.
For more information please visit:
www.dolphincove.com
USCGC Duane:
Most often visited is the Duane, which landed upright to tower over the sea floor 120 feet down. Divers can reach the
crows nest of the vessel 50 feet down; and from there it is easy to follow the superstructure down to the main deck at
100 feet. Barracuda have taken up posts beneath the crows nest and on the foredeck, while schools of jacks often chase
clouds of bait fish along the main passageways.
Built: Philadelphia, 1935-1936.
Length: 327 feet.
Type: "Treasury Class" cutter.
Sank: Nov. 27, 1987.
Depth: 60 to 120 feet.
Skill: Advanced.
Dive it from: Key Largo, Tavernier or Islamorada.
The Dive: When she was decommissioned in 1985, the Duane was the oldest active U.S. military vessel in history.
The Duane and the Bibb were purchased by the Keys Association of Dive Operators (KADO) for a dollar apiece.
The highly decorated vessel was a naked stark white when she was towed near Molasses Reef and sunk. All that has changed,
and the Duane--sitting upright, awash in the steady flow of the Gulf Steam--is now decorated with sponges, corals and
intense fish life.
