Coral Biology Individual corals are known as polyps. They have a small, simple biology within their beautiful exterior–a simple stomach-mouth system, and the mouth is a tentacle extending out from them. The polyp is the center of the universe, so…
Introduction to Coral Reefs
Coral reefs are complete ecosystems that exist under the seas – in fact they are ancient animals that feed off of sunlight and algae. Coral reefs are closely related to jellyfish and sea anemones. Coral reefs are actually living organisms…
20. With Fishes Never Before Seen by Scientists: The Reefs of the Maldives
The Protective, Intricate Atolls of the Maldives The Maldives coral atolls are still so unexplored, so untouched, and so pristine, that scientists are just now getting around to documenting the wonders here. Fish never seen before by scientists are having…
19. Tubbataha Coral Reef, Sulu Sea, Philippines
The Tubbataha coral reef is a protected area of the Philippines that floats in the Sulu Sea. This coral reef system is comprised of two large coral reef atolls called the North Atoll and South Atoll. The smaller Jessie Beazley…
18. The MesoAmerican Barrier Reef: The Jewel of the Caribbean – The Home of the Manatees
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (also known as The Great Mayan Reef) is called the “Jewel of the Caribbean.” This huge reef is situated in the Caribbean Sea and extends along the coasts of Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. The Mesoamerican…
17. The Great Andros Barrier Reef: The Enigmatic Isle
The Great Andros Barrier Reef is situated right next to the “Tongue of the Ocean,” a deep U-shaped trench that measures some 3,500 feet deep and 20 miles wide.
16. New Calcedonia Barrier Reef, France: The Second Largest Barrier Reef in the World
Featured in Oceans The coral reefs in New Calcedonia and the marine biodiversity here is so breathtaking that these corals and waters were featured in the movie Oceans, produced by Jacques Perrin.
15. Great Chagos Archipelago: The Cleanest, Bluest Water in the World
The Great Chagos Bank is the largest coral atoll in the world.. The Great Bank and its surrounding islands and reefs are located smack in the middle of the Indian Ocean. This massive island group is comprised of fifty five…
14. Palau Reef: The Exception to the Rule
Paula’s reefs may end up saving the lives of coral reefs around the world. In January of 2014, scientists began doing experiments to test the acidity and PH levels of the water because many coral reefs around the world are…
13. Apo Reef, The Philippines: Still Untouched
Apo Reef is a coral reef system in the Philippines that is located in the middle of the South China Sea, sitting on in the Mindoro Strait, specifically on the western waters of Occidental Mindoro. At 13 miles long, this…
12. Florida’s Coral Reefs: Endangered Turtles and Unique Corals
Florida’s Coral Reef’s are the only reefs that belong to the continental United States of America. After the Great Barrier Reef and the Belize Barrier Reef, it is the third largest reef system in the world.
11. The Great Barrier Reef: See It From Space
Great Barrier Reef is well established as the world’s largest coral reef system in the entire world. This reef lies off the coast of Queensland, Australia. This coral reef system is an amazing work of art that stretches over 344,400…
10. The Pulley Ridge Coral Reef System: The Glowing Underwater Reef That May Save All Reefs
A Million Year Old Sunken Treasure The Pulley Ridge Coral Reef System is a mesophotic coral reef system, which is believed to be a sunken island that submerged under the sea millions of years ago. This reef system is amazing…
9. Belize Barrier Reef: Number One in the Seven Wonders of the Underwater World
The First Underwater Wonder The Belize Barrier reef is actually a series of coral reefs. These reefs are part of the great Meso-American Reef system, covering around 260 kilometers of this much larger reef system. However, because of the beauty…
8. Life on Mars: Palancar Reef, San Miguel De Cozumel, Mexico
Sparkly Fish and Corals From Mars? The Palancar Reef underwater sea adventure is a unique one that can be compared to discovering what life on Mars might be like, if it were a marine world. The colors here are blues…
7. “An Underwater Nirvana”: Wakatobi’s Coral Reef
When Jacques Cousteau visited Wakatobi Islands and saw the reefs here, he likened them to an “underwater Nirvana.” And Wakatobi has managed to maintain this pristine, untouched quality with help of being classified as a marine park since 2002. The…
6. Jacques Cousteau’s Discovery: The Red Sea Reef of Egypt
Egypt has two coastlines, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Each boast beautiful crystal waters and white soft sands, and some of the best beaches on the planet. The Red Sea, in particular, boasts extremely colorful and vibrant underwater…
5. A True Taste of Heaven: Rangiroa – French Polynesia
The Clearest Turquoise Water in The World Rangiroa is a coral atoll (a circular coral formation) which surrounds a deep turquoise lagoon. Rangiroa is also one of the world’s finest destinations in the world—one rich in corals and beautiful sea…
4. Blue and Neon Nights: Bonaire’s Pristine and Glowing Coral Reefs
Called “The “Diver’s Paradise,” in fact this has been Bonaire’s license plate slogan for decades now, Bonaire Reefs in the Dutch Caribbean has been attracting more tourists lately. At night, they flood the reef waters with blue light so divers…
3. Still Intact and Full of Unique Fish: The Coral Reefs of Vatu-i-Ra, Fiji
The coral reefs of Fiji have been favorites among coral enthusiasts, travelers, and divers for decades. But Ra, Fiji, might be the last remaining virtually untouched reef system in the world. Fiji has four major reefs, the most famous of…