Explosions of colour irresistible to my fingers
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Coral is best experienced with the fingers. Some of it grows in spongy masses, some in long spindly webs, some to look like hands, some like spiky leafless bushes and some can only really be called brain-esque in appearance, but it's the textures which really fascinate. Reaching out your fingers you might feel a nip or get suctioned by one of the coral's tenants, or surprised by the sharp surface of something that looks so smooth or the fleshy-ness of something that looks so rocklike. It just feels alien. Most people would say coral is best experienced with the eyes, but my eyes just want me to touch it. It's an understatement to say a coral reef is a rainbow of colour, a rainbow implies the colour is ordered but a reef is a visual cacophony of colour, favouring the warmer, more vibrant rainbow's edge – the red, pink and purple end. That's before you get to the fish and other marine life that live in, around and, off the reef – more alien shapes and more flamboyant colour. I want to touch them too – feel the imagined smoothness of scales and the presumed rubbery-ness of stingray skin – but luckily for them they're much too fast, nothing short of little darters darting. But their bright dress is there to attract attention from other animals, in this case me. A snorkel will get you amongst a coral metropolis, a full diving kit for deeper exploration or if you’re not as drawn to touch things, you can play reverse goldfish in a glass bottomed boat. Once you’ve travelled to the right location, reefs grow only in a band between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south of the equator (coral has a preference for sunlight.), it doesn’t take much to get in amongst the gardens of coral. It’s fragile stuff though, and ‘a look carefully and touch gently' rule applies, despite the enthusiasm of my fingers. |
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More Coral Reefs » Coral Reefs I'd love to run my fingers over
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Great Barrier ReefCoral Reefs in Great Barrier Reef, Australia Diving for me is a magical experience and diving the Great Barrier Reef was the one of the finest and exotic dives that I’ll never forget. Not only it’s the largest reef on this planet, it’s also a home to countless species of corals and fish life which can be found nowhere else. Not to mention the centre of coral diversity – great for coral lovers. While I was pursuing my master’s degree I dived extensively on various dive spots around Townsville (Wheelers reef, Davis reef, Broad Hurst Reef, Bowden Reef, just to name a few) and witnessed the very wonders of the magnificent reef. Personally I preferred diving outside the main Barrier Reef since water visibility is much better compared to the inside. A must see for everyone is coral spawning and this well documented for the Great Barrier Reef. Corals are animals and they reproduce once every year for a few couple of nights during which all corals simultaneously let go of their eggs and sperms packaged in a bundle. Millions of bundles are released. It’s like being in a situation where the snow is falling upside down. Personally I prefer to dive the Great Barrier Reef, whether its outer or inner reefs, is during the dry, cool months since the water visibility is much better during this season. As for getting to the reef, live-aboard is much better if you prone to sea sickness. A lot of dive centres can predict the day and time corals will spawn and often base their drive trips around this event. Again there no guarantees in nature, it may happen or it may not – plan well and take a chance.
Review by Photo by flickr user Leonard Low |
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Raja AmpatsCoral Reefs in Indonesia The reefs off Raja Ampats are called by some ‘the new Palau’, for their similarity in marine diversity and remoteness to Palau, one of the diving world’s most sensational discoveries. Reef biologists have discovered an abundant array of coral species among a large and diverse population of fish, molluscs and other marine life, current counts stand at almost 600 species of hard coral, which is more than a half of all recorded species, and more than 1,200 species of fish. Biologists have also noted an especially dense population of damsel fish. These reefs lie in a remote part of what is known as the coral triangle, where ocean currents and weather conditions mean that corals flourish, and surprisingly little exploration had taken place here prior to this century, so much of the reef is in excellent condition. The whole region is a particularly beautiful place to visit, and though it is remote, this is one of it’s best features. Much on the land that you walk on will be coral skeletons and the sand here is full of sharp coral shards. The best way to see the coral diversity and colourful heart of this region is to join a sailing party or hire one of the larger boats and a local guide. Despite this being a relatively new discovery for divers and snorkelers, local fishing and agriculture have caused reef damage, and that is from relatively low tech farming methods, but dynamite fishing and leaching of chemicals have scarred sections of this relatively unknown reef, proving how essential it is to focus on reef protection and help local people learn methods that cause less damage.
Review by Photo by |
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Belize Barrier ReefCoral Reefs in Belize Belize has a variety of reef ecosystems off it’s shores, the largest of which is the Belize Barrier Reef, the earths second largest barrier reef system. The variety of reef and lagoon environment makes Belize home to a huge diversity of coral and marine life, with an estimated 300 different species of fish and 65 types of coral, with new smaller species and molluscs being discovered each year. Reefs also attract other marine animals, like turtles, manatees and seabirds. Coral thrives here getting plenty of sunshine and fed from the multiple tributaries and currents that fill the waters with nutrients. On your way into Belize by air you can see the surf break against the thin yellow line of reef from the Yucatan Peninsula to Sapodilla Cayes, running almost the entire length of the island. Inside the barrier the water is shallow and looks bright azure from the air, while on the far side of the reef the water is deeper and darker blue. The reef’s corals come in a variety of shades and shapes, ranging from the delicate almost veinlike to the solid lumps and from greens to reds to yellows to browns. In the evenings there is more action amongst the coral as the polyps feed, poking their soft parts out of their calcium carbonate shells. Without the reef the sandy beaches of Belize would be eroded away in no time and the whole ecosystem is intertwined precariously with mangroves, sea fields and coastline. Even the health of the coral itself is held in a precarious balance. Enjoy the spectacular show the reef and it’s inhabitants put on but be careful not to cause damage, some sections of the reef have already been damaged or bleached.
Review by Photo by flickr user World Resources Institute Staf |
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Reefs of the Society IslandsCoral Reefs in French Polynesia On the western edge of French Polynesia lie the reef fringed Society Islands which include Tahiti, Bora Bora, Huahine and Moorea. The reefs and their marine life vary slightly from island to island and some are in better conditions that others but there are several pockets of excellent coral bommies, mushroom shaped formations formed as new coral grows over coral skeletons. Some islands have more hard corals and lace corals, while others have many sponges or soft corals. This region is well known by divers and snorkelers and is popular for the warm water and variety of island environments to explore. There isn’t much out in this region but sweeping reefs, lagoons and atolls so despite the regions popularity it is still a good place to come to appreciate coral systems.
Review by Photo by flickr user JennyHuang |
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Curacao Underwater Park, Jan Thiel BaySnorkelling in Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles Curaçao’s southern shore is a line of almost pristine tropical beach separated by interesting and beautiful rock formations where much marine life shelters. The waters here are very clear and still, ideal for beginners and people with kids. At Jan Thiel Bay there is only a narrow strip of sand which means it attracts less sunbathers and a wide reef lagoon. The waters is kept clear by the reef and there is a nice wide arch to explore. The Underwater Park itself covers 12 miles of clear water, excellent visibility coastline and has a beautiful sponge and soft coral forest running for tens of acres of reef and bays and inhabited by all manner of interesting creatures. More than 30 species of hard corals and two shallow wrecks also fall under the park’s perimeter and just on the edges are some spectacular walls to explore.
Review by Photo by flickr user laszlo-photo |
