Alcyonacea spp.
40cm
5-60m
15006 sites
Various
Imagine descending into the underwater world and encountering a vibrant, swaying garden – that's the magic of soft corals! Unlike their hard coral cousins that build rigid skeletons, soft corals are flexible and fleshy, resembling colorful plants more than rocks. They come in a stunning array of shapes, from branching trees to flowing fans, and a kaleidoscope of colors like bright reds, yellows, purples, and oranges, instantly adding life and drama to any dive site. Divers often find them clinging to reef walls, overhangs, and even shipwrecks, creating breathtaking underwater landscapes. Their gentle sway in the current is mesmerizing, and observing them up close reveals the intricate details of their polyps, tiny creatures that give these corals their unique texture.
Soft corals are easily distinguished by their lack of a hard, stony skeleton; they are flexible and bend easily in the current. Look for bright, often vibrant colors like red, orange, yellow, or purple. They come in various shapes, including branching, finger-like, or encrusting forms. Unlike hard corals, they have a soft, fleshy appearance, and their polyps are often visible, giving them a fuzzy or textured look.