How to explore the Florida Keys reef without getting wet. It includes a 360-degree view
The waters off the Upper Florida Keys and Key Largo offer some of the world’s most beautiful undersea views.
The entire Keys is buffered by the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. It’s also within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary , meaning it’s federally protected. That offers scuba divers and snorkelers plenty of undisturbed sea life to view as they explore the depths.
Starting Saturday, those not feeling quite so adventuresome will also have a chance to get a live look of what’s happening under the sea.
A nonprofit teamed with John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park to install a 360-degree camera in the waters off the world-renowned park that will stream live feeds of the reef and its environment, said Donna Dietrich, spokeswoman for Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Dagny Johnson State Park.
The camera is scheduled to be officially unveiled at the park’s visitors center at 1 p.m. Saturday as part of the World Ocean Day celebration. But the public can check it out online at the Friends of Pennekamp YouTube channel any time from now until Jan. 1.
After that, you’ll need to become a member of the nonprofit. Individual annual membership is $35 and $60 for yearly family memberships.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is located at 102601 Overseas Highway on the ocean side of Key Largo.
