---
title: "40 Wonders of the Coral Reef ..."
description: "Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica; Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji; Feather Starfish; The Great Barrier Reef; Blue Ringed Octopus; More ..."
url: "https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/wonders-of-the-coral-reef/"
category: "travel"
last_updated: "2026-06-02"
---

# 40 Wonders of the Coral Reef ...

The coral reefs are some of the most delicate and fragile ecosystems of the world. They are incredible havens for all sorts of amazing wildlife and we really should look after them better. I'm sharing some wonderful pictures of the coral reefs, keeping my fingers crossed that they're still be there for future generations and pictures won't just be memories.

## 1. Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica

![Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/fv/xy/qjazkatl_550x814.jpg)

A tranquil ocean scene where you'll never imagine a coral reef teeming with life lies just below the surface.

## 2. Namena Marine Reserve, Fiji

_ Via Namena Soft Corals 1_
There are hard corals and soft corals. These are soft.

## 3. Feather Starfish

![Feather Starfish](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/jl/fz/zduh5xj5_536x740.jpg)

Via [Natures Doorways](https://naturesdoorways.tumblr.com/post/54366808351/trynottodrown-robert-rath)
Coral reefs are home to the most colorful marine creatures found anywhere.

## 4. The Great Barrier Reef

![The Great Barrier Reef](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/od/el/nh6wxohd_399x600.jpg)

Via [Seven wonders of the natural ...](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2011/nov/10/seven-wonders-natural-world-in-pictures)
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the longest coral reef in the world.

## 5. Blue Ringed Octopus

_ Via What's up, BRO!_
This poisonous creature roams the Australian reefs.

## 6. Colorful Tropical Fish

Via [Underwater Tropical Fish iPhone 5s ...](https://goo.gl/9FmuVg)
There's no definitive answer to the question how many different forms of life the coral reefs support.

## 7. Red Sea

![Red Sea](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/pf/fl/riyoosv0_402x536.jpg)

Via [Underwater photography competition medal winners ...](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/environment/?frame=2241784)
The coral reefs in the Red Sea make it one of the premier diving spots outside of the tropics and the world's major reef systems.

## 8. Sea Horse

![Sea Horse](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/pk/sr/j54g9dst_400x500.jpg)

Via [Морской конек](https://yandex.ru/promo/disk/photo)
Among the amazing array of reef creatures, the sea horse is still one of the most wondrous in that it's the male that carries the babies and gives birth.

## 9. Harlequin Shrimp

_ Via Gorgeous animals of the coral ..._
He looks too pretty to be caught and eaten on a seafood platter ^_^

## 10. Green Chromis

![Green Chromis](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ic/bw/h1imeihy_470x600.jpg)

Via [Castles Crowns and Cottages](https://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.com/)
This is a species of damselfish.

## 11. Fusilier Fish

![Fusilier Fish](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ft/ye/qhxy3fin_427x640.jpg)

Via [CRW_5941m](https://www.flickr.com/photos/aquanerds/7570644/)
This magnificent picture of a shoal of stunning blue fish was shot off Malaysia.

## 12. Sea Anemones

Via [Closeups iPhone Wallpaper | iDesign ...](http://idesigniphone.com/category/closeups/page/29)
Sea anemones are predatory animals that anchor themselves to the reefs.

## 13. Zoanthus Corals

![Zoanthus Corals](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ws/fp/xygyw6rz_600x907.jpg)

Via [Dos Mares do Sul](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496170083920344851/)
Known as "carpet coral", they can spread to completely cover a rock with brightly colored circular patterns. They're popular with hobby fish keepers.

## 14. Stunning Colors

_ Via Wear Blue, Tell Two - ..._
The real Nemo.

## 15. Triton

![Triton](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/s1/ti/x2o1flom_427x640.jpg)

Via [Triton's trumpet, redux](https://www.flickr.com/photos/barryfackler/10736817885/)
Predatory sea snails range in size from very small to huge.

## 16. Maori Wrasse

![Maori Wrasse](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/b1/xb/g9inds0c_366x488.jpg)

Via [No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au](https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes)
AKA the Napoleon Fish, it can change from female to male, and there is only one male per territory. If he disappears, the largest female will change sex to male. .

## 17. Hayman Island, Queensland

![Hayman Island, Queensland](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/e0/su/j8gsslff_335x500.jpg)

Via [orangefish](https://www.flickr.com/photos/amwayaustralia/3861475472/in/photostream)
Incredible colors abound.

## 18. Maui, Hawaii

![Maui, Hawaii](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/yd/os/tftyp074_600x900.jpg)

Via [Cleaning Station II by Dave ...](https://fineartamerica.com/featured/cleaning-station-ii-dave-fleetham.html)
Several green sea turtles gather at a cleaning station on the reef.

## 19. Emperor Angle Fish

![Emperor Angle Fish](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ks/uo/ldmcss79_432x640.jpg)

Via [angelfish](https://www.flickr.com/photos/32328358@N07/3504027861/)
Reef fish are so much more colorful and heavily patterned than deep sea and cold ocean fish.

## 20. Bright Red Gorgonian Soft Coral Flares

![Bright Red Gorgonian Soft Coral Flares](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/rw/x1/odzo6qxu_366x488.jpg)

Via [Bright Red Gorgonian Soft Coral ...](http://www.art.com?ref=allwomenstalk.com)
One of the most brightly colored corals.

## 21. Coral Reef Fish

![Coral Reef Fish](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/bj/n4/y57ff6wr_600x749.jpg)

Via [Fish](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/494833077777767785/)
The colors are kaleidoscopic.

## 22. Belize Barrier Reef

![Belize Barrier Reef](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/yf/m4/wb3arxm9_600x900.jpg)

Via [Belize Holidays and Belize Luxury ...](https://www.abercrombiekent.co.uk/destinations/central-america/belize)
The Belize reef is home to more than 100 different kinds of coral and some 500 species of fish.

## 23. Lacy Coral

![Lacy Coral](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/f5/x6/rmym982p_427x640.jpg)

Via [Sea fans](https://www.flickr.com/photos/pacificklaus/3783492744/)
It looks like a skeleton leaf.

## 24. Roatán Coral Reef

![Roatán Coral Reef](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/p7/gj/s1c2awsr_511x640.jpg)

Via [Roatan Coral reef scene](https://www.flickr.com/photos/27822018@N07/3210840271)
The Roatán reef (Honduras) is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef in the Caribbean Sea - off the coast of Central America.

## 25. Blue Button Jelly Fish

_ Via coralreefphotos.com_
It's not actually a jellyfish but a polyp.

## 26. Yellow Cabbage Coral

![Yellow Cabbage Coral](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/cm/e5/kh8xbjg8_355x500.jpg)

Via [Underwater Photographer Noam Kortler's Gallery](https://www.divephotoguide.com/user/nemo_2/gallery/yellow-16/)
Corals really are such fantastical shapes.

## 27. Lionfish

![Lionfish](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/z8/vw/iw9zysl3_360x525.jpg)

Via [The Amazing Maldive Islands (10 ...](https://10amazingpics.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-amazing-maldive-islands-10-pictures.html)
The lionfish is a venomous fish and a major predator on the coral reefs.

## 28. Starfish

![Starfish](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/h1/q3/evpjf4dt_400x600.jpg)

Via [worldadventures.com.au](https://goo.gl/bFXWOf)
I've always thought starfish were just a sandy brown color.

## 29. Maldives

_ Via 500px.com_
The corals will waft with the movement of the waves like your hair blowing in the breeze.

## 30. Heart Reef

Via _Vacations: All-Inclusive, Last-Minute Travel Deals ..._
The Great Barrier Reef throws some amazing shapes.

## 31. Bubble Coral

Via [LOL Laffs](http://www.lollaffs.com/page/29/)
It's obvious where that name comes from.

## 32. Great Barrier Reef

Via [Great Barrier Reef, Australia](https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/photo-gallery/34609488/image/34609503/Great-Barrier-Reef-Australia)
When you go scuba diving on the reefs you have to share your water space with loads of fish.

## 33. Corals

![Corals](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/c6/vy/jacm1mkv_320x480.jpg)

Via [Podvodni mir i njegovi stanovnici ...](https://forum.krstarica.com/threads/podvodni-mir-i-njegovi-stanovnici.436071/page-84)
OMG look at that electric orange and acid green, not to mention the pink and turquoise.

## 34. White Corals

![White Corals](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/gv/b1/jsjrdlg5_589x880.jpg)

Via [Onirisme](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/351632683379962033/)
The white corals are just as stunning as the colored corals.

## 35. Lettuce Sea Slug

![Lettuce Sea Slug](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/kw/i8/vtucna5f_600x901.jpg)

Via [Underwater Photographer Stan Bysshe's Gallery: ...](https://www.divephotoguide.com/user/smbysshe/gallery/contest_6/photo/3745/)
It looks like a plant but it's actually a marine gastropod mollusk.

## 36. Red Sea

![Red Sea](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/gl/x9/z9b5xas4_427x640.jpg)

Via [Egypt, Safaga, Red Sea, Image ...](https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexnc/5927854450/in/set-72157627264239312)
Red fish in the Red Sea.

## 37. Purple Haze

![Purple Haze](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/j7/mk/ci3m8jnt_464x700.jpg)

Via [Underwater by Dan Holm](https://fineartamerica.com/featured/underwater-dan-holm.html)
It doesn't have to be multi-colored and garish to be beautiful.

## 38. Montipora Capricornis

![Montipora Capricornis](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/zx/z2/n8xky9wl_600x572.jpg)

Via [I'd Like to Avoid a ...](http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1637540)
A common coral in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

## 39. It's Yellow

![It's Yellow](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/uf/hf/v7bfz8m9_542x800.jpg)

Via [All sizes | star scape ...](https://www.flickr.com/photos/39405479@N07/5838883719/sizes/o/in/photostream/)
The muted palette is just wonderful.

## 40. It's a Rainbow

![It's a Rainbow](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/xu/fp/vu08d9bn_500x750.jpg)

Via [Sea Creatures – Amazing Pictures ...](http://furkl.com/sea-creatures/)
But there's something extra special when you see all the colors of the rainbow.

Have you dived or snorkeled coral reefs? I've snorkeled a bit and up close, reefs are a truly amazing sight.

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