CARIBBEAN
Coral Reef

The coral reefs of the Caribbean may not be as diverse or colourful as the tropical Indo-Pacific, but they have a range of endemic species...

Many of the tropical waters of the Caribbean that are not decorated by coral may have their colour provided by many sponges instead. Sponges have what is often considered the most basic body plan of all the multi-cellular animals. They are sedentary as adults, and resemble plants in their simplicity and adherence to the substrate. Sponges are covered in tiny holes that draw water in. As the water is pumped throughout the inside of the animal, it is filtered for food particles. The water is the pumped out, exiting much larger holes.

Amphimedon-compressa-red-sponge-antiguaAmphimedon compressa, 'Scattered Pore Rope Sponge', (Pillar Rocky Bay, Antigua)
Tripneustes-ventricosus-West-Indian-Sea-Egg-antigua

Where to experience Caribbean coral reefs...

I have snorkelled Caribbean reefs at San Blas Islands (Panama), Antigua, San Andres (Colombia) and Mexico. But there is of course a huge range of reefs to visit and places to stay throughout the Caribbean and the Atlantic side of Central America. I stayed for a few days at a nice little air B'n'b on Antigua where I virtually had my own beach. The snorkelling was not in great conditions, however I did spot some species (mamy are included as photos on this page).

to search this website (and the internet):

Your second block of text...