Home   Beaches   Caves   Reefs   Down The Islands   Museums   Nature Reserves   Swamps   Volcanoes   Waterfalls   Pitch Lake   Gallery   Bibliography   Interviews   Project Narrative   Maps   Coral Reefs Tobago is bordered by some of the most thriving and most spectacular coral reefs in the Caribbean. Tobago’s reefs are blessed with approximately 40 species of corals and more than 600 species of fish including reef fish and giant manta rays. These brilliant ecosystems are some of the most colourful, vibrant and attractive on the earth. All of the known hard coral and most soft coral can be found in the reefs around Tobago. Some types of Hard Coral found are: - Elkhorn Coral - Brain Coral - Staghorn Coral - Star Coral One is very fortunate in that there are regular tours to these fringing reefs in glass- bottom boats. These boats leave from popular beaches like Buccoo Bay, Pigeon Point, Store Bay and Speyside. These glass- bottom boats cater to non- swimmers but also more exploratory persons can go scuba diving or snorkeling to get a close up view of these gorgeous reefs. Some reefs that surround Tobago are: - Ketchup Reef - Flying Reef - Cove Reef - Buccoo reef Buccoo Reef Buccoo Reef is the most well- known and most visited coral reef in Tobago. It is the islands largest reef and the Buccoo Reef is a protected Marine Park since 1973. The reef is located off Pigeon Point and Store Bay. The reef is a colourful habitat to many species of marine life. Elkhorn Coral, Star Coral, Brain Coral and Starlet Corals are found here. Buccoo Reef is easily accessible to non- swimmers. The deeper part of the Reef is known as the Coral Gardens. One can snorkel and dive in these magical underwater surroundings and view in addition to corals the spectrum of colourful fish such as: • Angel fish • Parrot fish • Creole Wrasse • Blue Chromis And occasionally the Manta Ray. The Buccoo Reef system is approximately 7 km2 in area. It consists of a system of five reef flats that encircle a shallow reef lagoon and the Bon Accord Lagoon. The Bon Accord Lagoon consists chiefly of macroalgae and seagrass communities. The mangrove wetland that fringes the Lagoon consists mainly of red mangrove. Buccoo Reef was rated as the third most spectacular reef in the world by world renowned French oceanographer and explorer Jacques Costeau. The Buccoo Reef is truly a spectacle in the eyes of any beholder. Nylon Pool After visiting the reef in a glass- bottom boat, the tour continues to the beautiful Nylon Pool. Princess Margaret named the Nylon Pool on her visit there in 1962. The Nylon Pool is a white sand spit in the middle of the Bon Accord Lagoon, situated in the vicinity of the reef and considered a tranquil paradise in the ocean. The water here does not exceed 2.5 feet in height. Local folklore has it that whoever swims in the Nylon Pool will lose 20 years. The waters of the Nylon Pool are attributed to the rejuvenation of anyone who has the fortune to bathe in them. This area is included in the Marine Areas Preservation Enhancement Act of 1970. Web site and all contents © Copyright Naparima Girls'High School 2008, All rights reserved.