Coral Triangle
The Coral Triangle is a marine area located in the western Pacific Ocean. Encompassing a massive 6 million sq km in area (more than a billion acres), it includes the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Solomon Islands.
In particular, the area of the Coral Triangle in Indonesia is known for its one-of-a-kind heat-resistant reef environments, which has allowed corals to fend off the destructive effects of coral bleaching caused by global warming. According to the World Wildlife Fund, “high levels of biodiversity, coupled with fast rates of growth and recovery, put many Coral Triangle ecosystems in a favorable position to survive climate change.”
It’s no surprise then that the Coral Triangle is christened the ‘Amazon of the Seas’. Within its confines is a staggering number of corals (nearly 600 different species of reef-building corals alone) and marine life, the region nurtures six of the world’s seven marine turtle species and more than 2,000 species of reef fish (one-third of all species). For a fact, the species diversity of the Coral Triangle is higher than that of reefs in Australia and Fiji.
The Origin of Corals
More significantly, the Coral Triangle might be the very birthplace of the coral. Naturalist Chris Cook says that “the theory is that this is where coral reefs started,” and research in reef sciences has suggested that it was the historic point of origin for many coral species as well as many of the species that live there, including the 500 million-year-old cuttlefish!
Cruising the Coral Triangle, explorers have the opportunity to discover the richest marine habitats on Earth by snorkeling or diving. As our dive instructor would tell you, the Coral Triangle varies a great deal as you cross it, and no two diving and snorkeling experiences are ever the same. “You can go 100 yards (90 m) from one reef to another, and the reef composition will be completely different,” says Luiz Rocha, a coral reef scientist at the California Academy of Sciences.
The Aqua Blu explorer yacht is comprehensively equipped for the most rewarding explorations in the Coral Triangle, with long-range capabilities and launch boats that provide unparalleled access to an array of world-class dive and snorkeling sites on 7- and 12-night itineraries.
