REEFS

Reefs

What are coral reefs?

The coral reefs generally look like upside-down jellyfish, they are called coral polyp individually, like any other living being they move, feed and reproduce. They are part of a group animal called Cnidarians, they also have sharp cells, these ones help the coral to catch their prey. These polyps live together as a family, they are called a colony. Coral reefs also act as the first line of defense from coastal storms.

A reef is a barrier of rock, sand, coral or any other structure, naturally formed underwater creating beautiful, colorful and uniques shapes underwater. They are extremely hard and durable, but they are just a few of them that are flexible & soft organisms that look like tiny trees and plants. They grow gradually during the centuries, little by little until they become a massive part of the marine environment. You can found them all over the ocean world. They grow in warm, shallow and clear waters.

Coral types:

• Hard: Giant structures, they usually seem like big rocks. They grow very slowly and it takes a long time to recover from damage.
• Soft: They look like feathers, very shiny and beautiful.

The underwater world is amazing, you will not imagine how incredible and different is everything down there.

Can you imagine?, coral reefs cover less than 1 percent of the ocean floor, this is only about the size of Nevada state. But even if it is that small percentage, they are the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth.

The largest coral reef is located in Australia, the second one here in Cozumel our Mexican Caribbean paradise. Our most popular and perfect reefs in Cozumel are Palancar & Colombia, they have a lot of diversity in flora & fauna, in this reefs if you are lucky you can fin amazing sea turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, sea horses, to mention some of them, in their natural habitat, You will be amazed surrounded by this beautiful environment. You will be able to find this underwater world snorkeling or diving.

Healthy reefs lead to healthy oceans, and healthy oceans are vital on Earth. The destruction that we are facing all around the world & also Global Warming can lead to the extinction of thousands of marine life. This would be horrible, we have to avoid this to happen. If we don’t do something will take place every year on 99% of the world’s coral reefs within the next 80 years.

Important Information

You should know what are the coral reefs threats:

• Climate Change
• Water Pollution
• Overfishing
• Unsustainable tourism

The best solutions for coral reefs:

• Help Corals adapt
• Build water treatment facilities
• Encourage sustainable fishing
• Inform & Educate more about this

Cozumel reefs & one of the most beautiful and amazing places here at Cozumel is suffering the consequences of us not taking care of our earth, El Cielo Cozumel, it was the top one of this to do in Cozumel, because of its clear and shallow waters, but the most important thing was that we have a lot of starfish, but the people start to take them out the water, they die, nowadays the stars start to move someplace deeper. Please do not touch them or put them our the water, they die. Because of conservation, the authorities decide to close it temporarily since 2019. And even if it is one of the most important attractions of Cozumel, we are totally agreed, because this ecosystem is more important than you think.

We just have to care about the planet and because of that here you will find more recommendations that will let you be and do better with our ocean.

Please avoid this:

1. Avoid touching a coral reef
2. Do not fish or anchor near a coral reef
3. Do not throw garbage on the beach or the ocean & If you see some, please collect it
4. Snorkel and Scuba dive with care
5. Coral as a souvenir, please don’t, I know they are beautiful and very peculiar but help the environment
6. Practice general conservation, we can have a better place if we have more sustainable lives.
7. Tell others to care about the world and coral reefs, We have to be aware of the consequences that our actions can cause to the world.
8. Please do not use sunscreen (this product affects very bad), we suggest the use of long sleeve t-shirts

Visit Cozumel, visit Deluxe Private Boats, let us pamper you and your family, we will take you to amazing coral reefs to snorkel and let you discover this amazing life, you would not regret to see our amazing coral reefs on a private boat

Because of everything we mention to you before and the precautions we have to take, you should know that we are an eco-friendly company, using reusable cookware. We want a better place, a better world, better people and a clean universe that’s why we are always trying to help our planet, making the difference.