| If you're looking for an adventure that is physically | | | | the north, in Mexican waters, is a fourth atoll reef, |
| active yet relaxing, mentally stimulating and spiritually | | | | Banco Chinchorro, where there are abundant wrecks |
| uplifting, diving amid the wonders of a coral reef may | | | | to explore. UK-based operator (020 7430 1766, an |
| be the ultimate answer. But where should you go, | | | | adventure specialist undertakes some interesting |
| especially if you have a taste for something and | | | | tours to the region. |
| somewhere a bit out of the way? | | | | SOUTH AFRICA |
| Here are four corners of paradise for the discerning | | | | Tropical sunshine and the warm Aughlas current have |
| reef diver, which are teeming with wondrous wildlife | | | | allowed the formation of a unique coral reef at |
| but not yet with truckloads of tourists. | | | | Sodwana, about 400 km north of Durban near the |
| ERITREA | | | | Mozambique border. The reef is home to over 1200 |
| Eritrea has perfect coral reefs untouched by humans | | | | species of reef fish and also hosts visits from |
| and teeming with aquatic life in all the colours of the | | | | mantas, whale sharks, Zambezi sharks, humpback |
| rainbow. At the bottom of the sea you'll find sunken | | | | whales and dolphins. |
| wrecks, ships, tanks, rocket launchers and even a | | | | Sodwana Bay - the name means "little one on its |
| complete dry dock. In the Dahlak coral reefs you can | | | | own" in Zulu - is one of the most popular of the dive |
| find 250 species of fish, as well as sharks, dolphins, | | | | sites, being easily accessible by road from Durban and |
| barracuda, tuna, caranx - narrow-bodied fish with | | | | enjoying temperatures averaging a pleasant |
| widely forked tails - and dugong, the near extinct sea | | | | 24°-28°C. There are many shallow coastal |
| cow. Dugong are large enough not to have many | | | | pools suitable for snorkelling, with interesting reef |
| predators; on the other hand, they have a long life | | | | formations and fish life. Check out with for your |
| span and are slow breeders, which make them | | | | customised tour to the region. |
| vulnerable to threats. See them while you can. You | | | | AUSTRALIA |
| need a visa to visit Eritrea. There are good hotels to | | | | Yes, of course there's the Great Barrier Reef, but |
| stay in but sleeping on the beach is free and fun. | | | | for something a bit different, think about Ningaloo |
| BELIZE | | | | Reef, which is off the town of Exmouth, pretty |
| The Barrier Reef off Ambergris Caye (island) lies | | | | much as far west as you can go in Australia (flights |
| about a kilometre off the windward side of the island. | | | | from Perth daily). |
| At about 300 km, it is the longest barrier reef in the | | | | Ningaloo Reef is a fringing, rather than a barrier reef, |
| Western Hemisphere and the second longest in the | | | | because it is quite close to the shore and only |
| world, after the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland. | | | | shallow water separates land and reef. This intricate |
| Inside the reef the water is shallow and blue-tinged; | | | | reef system stretches over 260 km and, at some |
| outside the reef, the water is deep and seen from | | | | points, is only metres from the beach. It is home to |
| the air looks a dark royal blue. Near Ambergris Caye | | | | myriad marine animals, including the largest fish in the |
| the reef almost touches land and here it is a | | | | world, the rare whale shark, some specimens of |
| magnificent, almost so!id wall of coral formations, | | | | which grow to 18 metres in length. Whale shark visit |
| broken only by narrow channels called "quebradas". | | | | the Ningaloo Reef between March and June looking |
| The coral is astonishing in its endless variety of | | | | for plankton to eat. Humpback whales, manta rays |
| shapes and colours: rainbow-tinged tropical fish, | | | | and green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles can also |
| delicate sea fans, sponges and gorgeous coral | | | | be seen in their season. |
| gardens. | | | | The little damselfish, which hide in the coral, the |
| Beyond the reef, the seabed drops sharply in a series | | | | colourful and conspicuous wrasses, the exquisitely |
| of layers to enormous depths, where gamefish such | | | | patterned and graceful butterflyfish and the similarly |
| as mackerel, tuna, sailfish and marlin. | | | | gorgeous angelfish, abundant cardinalfish and |
| To the east of the Barrier Reef there are three | | | | parrotfish all contribute to making this an environment |
| separate atoll reefs, which run northeast-southwest | | | | of rare splendour, impressive as a diving destination all |
| and are separated by deep marine trenches. Just to | | | | year round. |