Corals

Coral Farming in Bali Indonesia

Coral Farming in Bali Indonesia Coral reefs are at risk. Climate change, population growth, and coastal development among others are threatening the health of coral reefs at an ever-increasing pace. Coral farming is an approach to coral restoration which allows for…

Mystery Corals of the Caribbean: Porites

Now, this is a question I must ask my most serious coral loving colleagues. How to tell the difference between all these Porites corals? *Looking to solve the mystery scroll to the bottom for Mystery corals, first is a description…

5 Seas Dive Site Cuba – The Perfect Balance of Corals and Fish

5 Seas was one of the most memorable dive sites in the Gardens of the Queen Cuba. The curious groupers stole my heart, and I found quite a few exceptional coral colonies, making this a perfectly balanced dive between corals…

Magnificent Elkhorn Coral Habitat, Gardens of the Queen, Cuba

Acropora palmata, the Elkhorn Coral, is the king of all Caribbean Coral Reef species. Acropora palmata grows into thick robust branches and is the most important reef-building species in the Caribbean. Acropora palmata was once a dominant species in the Caribbean but unfortunately, there has…

Reef Walls, Sharks, Tarpons, and More! Los Mogotes Dive Site, Cuba

Los Mogotes Dive Site If I had to pick a favorite dive site in Cuba’s Gardens of the Queen, Los Mogotes would definitely make it into the top three. As I edit my way through my Cuban photo collection, Los…

Scolymia Coral Spotting in the Gardens of the Queen, Cuba

Scolymia Coral Spotting Scolymia is a large polyp coral species that lives a solitary life. There are two species of Caribbean Scolymia, the larger Scolymia lacera, and smaller Scolymia cubensis and you can learn to identify both by clicking the links above. While…

Scuba Diving With Silky Sharks In Cuba

Silky Sharks – Gardens of the Queen Picture this, your dive boat approaches a buoy where shallow turquoise reef drops off to meet deep dark azure blue. The captain turns off the engine and ties up. Within seconds, sleek gray shadows…

Porites cylindrica Habitat Found Around The Island of Rao

Porites cylindrica Porites, porites, porites, this is a common coral genus found in all the worlds oceans. Porites is a hardy coral growing in a number of forms, and to identify this coral genus you just have to repeat the…

50 Reefs Around The World That Could Survive Climate Change

Coral reef ecosystems around the world are facing serious threats from the impacts of rapid climate change. Rising ocean temperatures are causing corals to bleach and die at an alarming rate and it is estimated that 70–90% of the world’s…

Spot a Coral, Spot a Critter! : Bubble Coral Shrimp

After few weeks of absence… And following our blog series: spot a coral, spot a critter, we will check the cute little coral bubble shrimp… It’s a fav of UW photographer and it’s pretty easy to spot, if you know…