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