Soft corals: 10 recommended sites
Soft corals: delicacy and colorful
For many underwater life lovers, soft corals are definitely one of the most exciting specimens to observe. They have very varied shapes, however the most striking are their multiple and vibrant colors. They differ from hard corals as they do not produce a calcium carbonate skeleton. Therefore, they do not contribute to the formation of reefs although they do inhabit them. Due to the above are not so rigid, giving a flexible, light and delicate appearance. Although many resemble plants, they are actually animals.
As well as gorgonians, sea feathers and blue coral, soft corals are organisms belonging to the class octocorallia "eight-coral animal". This refers to having eight-tentacle polyps.
1. Soft Coral Arch (Palau, Micronesia)
Palau is considered one of the last untouched paradises on the planet. It has beautiful coral reefs perfectly preserved, which together with its great biodiversity make it very attractive for lovers of the underwater world. On the other hand, in the blue you can see a lot of sharks, manta rays and other pelagic fish. Because three large ocean currents converge there, you can observe a varied and surprising marine life.
El Arco de Coral Blando, o Soft Coral Arch, es un destacado punto de snorkel y buceo, arco ubicado entre dos islas rocosas, aguas relativamente protegidas. La formación tiene alrededor de 6 metros de diámetro, 1,5 metros sobre el agua y 5 metros de profundidad. Toda la longitud de este arco, está alfombrada con corales blandos que brillan en muchos tonos: rosa, púrpura, azul, crema, amarillo, entre otros.
Floating or diving through this arch, admiring the delicate corals full of life and color, is certainly a sublime experience.
2. Great White Wall (Somosomo Strait, Taveuni, Fiji)
Fiji is known for being the country that has the best soft corals in the world, any dive here will be incredible as a rainbow awaits you. A highlight is the Great White Wall located between the island of Taveuni in Fiji and the island of Vanua. In this place you must swim through a cave full of marine life, however the most impressive will be when you leave it. There you will find a vertical wall covered with brilliant white corals, a spectacular mantle that amazes novice and experienced divers.
3. Misool Island (Raja Ampat, Indonesia)
Raja Ampat is the heart of the Coral Triangle, which is a good reason to be a magnet for many divers, especially photographers.
Around the island called Misool, one of the largest in Indonesia, you will find incredible coral reefs, a kaleidoscope of colors, lights and shadows. The reefs and sloping walls are decorated with soft corals of various types. It is also possible to see countless creatures such as pygmy seahorses, pipe fish and harlequin shrimp, to name a few.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3z4LUDDsK4
4. Sipadan (Malaysia)
The island of Sipadan is another recommended place to observe soft corals. This is the only oceanic island of the Malay archipelago and was declared a natural park due to the wealth of its resources. Added to the above because its beaches are the place where green turtles lay their eggs. It has a reduced capacity and is only allowed diving being necessary to stay on the nearby islands of Mabul or Kapalai.
Its waters offer different species of soft and hard corals. Regarding the soft coral found around Sipadan includes types such as black, blue, wire, wrinkled, bubble coral. There are also many types of sea fans, such as harp coral. Several of these corals are rare, but easily spotted in this diving paradise. The fauna here is abundant and varied, from large pelagics such as manta rays and hammerhead sharks, to small creatures such as nudibranchs and leaf fish.
5. Vanessa´s Reef (Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea)
In Papua New Guinea there is another excellent place to see soft corals. The waters surrounding the country’s islands are teeming with soft, hard corals, as well as many different types of marine life. The Vanessa´s Reef concentrates a varied and abundant colony of giant sea fans. These can grow up to almost 4 meters wide, becoming a special attraction. They can be found in multiple shades such as pink, red, yellow and orange. You can also easily see sea whips, another type of soft coral that has thin, open branches, as well as barrel sponges.
6. Jessie Beazley Reef (Tubbataha, Philippines)
On a cruise through Tubbataha, all the way there are coral-covered sites, however one of the best spots is the Jessie Beazley Reef. This is a coral complex located about 12 miles north of the atolls. There it is possible to do drift diving and the waters are incredibly clear which allows to appreciate perfectly a wall of huge corals. Towards the shallower area, a surprising and dense garden of hard coral awaits you. The wonderful and dense carpet of corals that Tubbataha has requires a good buoyancy performance so make sure you don't touch anything in here. You should be careful with fins and equipment, because there is no place to put a finger and balance yourself to take a photo. It is truly an exceptional and inspiring place.
7. Elphinstone (Red Sea, Egypt)
Elphinstone is definitely a point you can’t miss if you take a diving trip to Egypt, another of the diving paradises. It is located in the area of Marsa Alam, south of the Red Sea. It is an elongated reef, about 20 meters wide and 400 meters long, in slightly deep waters.
The southern tip has a wide plateau about 25 meters deep, filled with soft corals, large gorgonians, sponges and whip corals. It is possible to observe many variety of reef sharks, and in the blue schools of barracudas and oceanic whitetip sharks. In the shallower zone there is a great profusion of life, with purple and pink corals adorning the east and west walls. At a depth of about 20 meters it is possible to appreciate magnificent gorgonians surrounded by fusiliers, triggerfishes, angel fishes or anthias, an immersion that you will not forget.
8. The Lake and Angel City (Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean)
Around the island of Bonaire there are 86 diving sites, 56 of them accessible from the shore, without the need for a boat. This makes the island world-famous for its "freedom of diving". This Dutch Caribbean island has been protected for many years, and is now a National Marine Park. It has a dazzling biodiversity, over 470 species of fish, 57 species of soft and hard coral, and a spectacular underwater topography. In general diving is easy and many sites have been awarded, with the south coast standing out for offering a wide range of soft corals. The Lake and Angel City reefs are the focus there, as well as the sandbar between them where you can often see eagle rays.
9. Richelieu Rock (Similan Islands, Thailand)
The beautiful dive site called Richelieu Rock is one of the most popular in the Similan Islands. It is close to Koh Tachai Island and also to Khao Lak on the mainland. It is a large granite pinnacle that rises from 40 meters deep and barely breaks the surface. Because of this it is required that ships take great caution. The place is full of incredible soft corals of the rainbow colors, along with anemones, barrel sponges and large sea fans. It is also a fabulous place to find the majestic whale sharks enjoying the waters for most of the year.
10. Stonehenge (Koh Lipe, Thailand)
Tarutao Marine Park is responsible for bringing so many people today to the beautiful small island of Koh Lipe. Here it is possible to experience a great level of diving thanks to the fact that most of the spots have corals that are very healthy.
One of the star sites is the famous "Stonehenge", just 10 minutes by boat from the island. This stands out for its soft coral and macro life. The topography is also formidable. In the range of submerged granite pinnacles to which it owes its name, soft corals thrive in abundance, in many different colors. The top of the pinnacles are covered with bright soft corals, while deeper a white variation lives on the granite rocks. There are also large barrel sponges, gorgonians and red anemones. All the above attracts a varied fauna, seahorses, frogfish, nudibranchs and honeycomb morays, schools of trevallies and barracudas, to name a few. The depth ranges from 5 to 25 meters and the currents can be soft to strong, depending on factors such as the tide and the moon.
To explore pristine coral sites like these, I suggest the adventure or specialty of peak performance buoyancy. This way we can make sure we have the right level to take care of these wonderful places while we dive.
If you want to learn about corals, ecosystems and ecology I recommend the specialty underwater naturalist. You will observe habitats, behaviors and creatures that perhaps previously went unnoticed before your eyes.
You can also check the wide range of courses and specialties that Flying Fish offers for you.
Beauty!