The Coral Reef is one of the most productive ecosystems found on our planet. Corals, as well as their associated flora and fauna play a vital and vibrant role in both the ecological and economic health of Barbados.

Coral reefs are the largest (and prettiest) structures made by living organisms They can be classed according to their shape, geology, position relative to land mass or composition of material. They are generally grouped into three categories - fringing, barrier or atolls

GENERAL REEF TYPES

1. Fringing Reefs - close to shorelines and mainly consolidated material (where protected from wave action)
2. Bank/ Barrier Reefs - offshore, and composed of wave resistant consolidated limestone
3. Atolls -wall of reef enclosing a central lagoon
   

In Barbados we have 2 types of reef: (i) bank reefs, which are about 1km from the coast line, running parallel with the coast and (ii) fringing reefs laying directly off the coastline

WEST COAST

The west coast is relatively calm with little or no surf and offers good snorkelling on the fringing reefs that grow on a sloping shelf extending 300m from the beach to a depth of 10m.

Further out are patch reefs terminating in 30m, and then bank-barrier reefs lay 700m -1300m from the coast line. These reefs run north to south.

Visit Barbados' south coast reefs south coast reefs

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Caribbean Diving

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