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