Reef Diving

“Richard of York Gave Battle in Vain”

Heard this before?  It’s the colors of the rainbow – Red, Orange and Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo and Violet – combine these colors with crystal blue warm waters and you’re going to be in for a treat when you go out and discover Reef  Diving.

Reef diving usually involves coral and marine life, a camera should be at hand as you are going to see some colors which can only be appreciated properly underwater.

Man and pollution are the main reasons for the coral reefs disappearing from our oceans, hence a lot of conversation about conservation is going on worldwide. If proof was needed that man is one of the main perpetrators of the coral reefs decline, just have to look at the reefs off the Cuban coast. Their corals are not only thriving due to years of inaccessibility from tourism and growth, but actually re-growing and regenerating itself after disease.

The ‘Garden of the Queens’ is a prime example of being able to experience rare species of corals which have survive hundreds of years and apparently in this area can be up to four thousand years old.

Now for some science/ biology ……Coral reefs are immense underwater, organic structures which can cover 1000’s of square kilometres. Consisting of small marine invertebrates and a multitude of different coral types, these architectural sculptures of Mother Nature are not only beautiful but also critical to the oceans’ health.

Coral reefs are essentially inanimate secretions of calcium carbonate which then binds together to form coral colonies. The reef invertebrates are covered with hard exoskeletons which merge with the coral to create the appearance of being very strong and rock-like even though any diver will testify that it is not always very strong and can break off.

Which are the best reefs to dive?

A past survey, listed some of the best coral reefs to be seen. The list is in no particular order….

• Andros Island, Bahamas holds over three thousand different fishes also underwater caves can be explored
• Bonaire where one boat at a time is allowed to travel to the islands
• Lord Howe Island, Australia only four hundred people are given access a year
• Palau is where the pacific currents sway with over 700 corals and well over a thousand fish species
• Niihau, Hawaii a 280 foot wall which is no tourist island the trip itself takes up to two hours
• Raja Ampat, Indonesia “The most bio diverse marine life in the world,”
• Sipadan Island, Malaysia barracuda and green turtles can be found on the sheer walls
• Wakatobi, Indonesia holds the award-winning Collaborative Reef Conservation Program,
• Fiji and Belize to name but a few

Which is the biggest Coral Reef?

Many people want to know which coral reefs are the largest, but after a number searches on the old interweb, it appears no group can agree apart from the fact that the Great Barrier Reef is the largest.

If anyone knows the correct line up and can prove it please let us know so we can share the info ….

1) Great Barrier Reef
Length: 1,553 miles (2,500 km)
Location: Coral Sea near Australia

2) Red Sea Coral Reef

Length: 1,180 miles (1,900 km)
Location: Red Sea near Israel, Egypt and Djibouti

3) New Caledonia Barrier Reef
Length: 932 miles (1,500 km)
Location: Pacific Ocean near New Caledonia

4) The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Length: 585 miles (943 km)
Location: Atlantic Ocean near Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras

5) Florida Reef
Length: 200 miles (322 km)
Location: Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico near Florida

6) Andros Coral Reef
Length: 124 miles (200 km)
Location: Bahamas between the islands of Andros and Nassau

7) Zhongsha Islands
Length: 50 miles (81 km)
Location: South China Sea

8) Saya Del Malha
Area: 15,444 square miles (40,000 sq km)
Location: Indian Ocean

9) Great Chagos Bank
Area: 4,633 square miles (12,000 sq km)
Location: The Maldives

10) Reed Bank
Area: 3,423 square miles (8,866 sq km)
Location: South China Sea, claimed by the Philippines

Sources:

http://geography.about.com/od/lists/a/The-Worlds-10-Largest-Coral-Reefs.htm

http://www.wonders-world.com/2013/06/10-largest-coral-reefs-in-world.html

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/top-ten-largest-coral-reefs-100603.html

Wherever you are reef diving,  you are sure to be amazed!

Pictures and stories are always welcome and Remember, Stick to your dive plan and have fun