A myriad of fish and coral underwater at Hol Chan Marine Preserve, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

A myriad of fish and coral underwater at Hol Chan Marine Preserve, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Snorkeler with golden jellyfish (Mastigias papua etpisoni), in Jellyfish Lake, a marine lake located on Eil Malk island, Rock Islands, Palau, Micronesia, Pacific

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), being fed in Hol Chan Marine Preserve, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), being fed in Hol Chan Marine Preserve, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), being fed in Hol Chan Marine Preserve, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), surfacing for air near Caye Caulker, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Chindonan Island, Calamian Islands, Coron, Palawan, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Asia

Overhead view of tourist boat on coral reef in the exotic lagoon, Paje, Jambiani, Zanzibar, Tanzania, East Africa, Africa

Man preparing to dive at Chankanaab Park, famous for its superb coral reef, on the island of Cozumel, off the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, North America

Catamaran taking tourists to the reef, Aruba, West Indies, Caribbean, Central America

People snorkelling on Outer Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, North Queensland, Australia, Pacific

People snorkelling on Outer Great Barrier Reef near Cairns, North Queensland, Australia, Pacific

People bathing in lagoon at Mia Reef Hotel, Isla Mujeres, Caribbean Coast, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, North America

Visit to Gold Mine Reef, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa

Woman blowing whistle to attract leaping dolphins for tourists to view at Dolphin Reef, Eilat, Israel, Middle East

The Dolphin Reef, Eilat, Israel, Middle East

Lighthouse Reef, Belize, Central America

French Polynesia, Tuamotus Archipelago, Atoll Of Manihi, Remote Sand Islet In The Lagoon With Hotel Huts Among Palms

Tourists snorkelling from a dive and snorkel platform anchored to the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns in Queensland, Australia, Pacific

Living coral reef, Oceanopolis, Brest, Britanny, France, EU

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) underwater with trainer: Elke Bojanowsi, Dolphin Reef, Eilat, Israel, Read Sea

Tourists on a semi submersible, viewing the Great Barrier Reef off Cairns in Queensland, Australia, Pacific

Tourists parasailing off Green Island on The Great Barrier Reef near Cairns in Queensland, Australia, Pacific

Limestone islands and lagoon. Wayag, Raja Ampat, Papua, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean. More info: These islands are uplifted coral reefs now covered by vegetation.

Person sitting in wooden chair watching sunset, Belize Barrier Reef, Caribbean (rr)

Split image of woman at the pier observing hard coral formations and the Koolau mountains in the background, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America, Pacific

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) With trainers, Dolphin Reef, Eilat, Israel, Read Sea

A woman snorkelling on a coral reef near Dahab in the Red Sea, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Living coral reef, Oceanopolis, Brest, Britanny, France, EU (rr)

White-tipped reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) underwater with snorkelers in the Galapagos Island Archipeligo, Ecuador. Pacific Ocean.

Snorkelling at Kealakekua Bay, Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii, United States of America, Pacific

Green sea turtles hatching, Chelonia mydas, Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Crab preying on dead portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis, Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil (South Atlantic)

Parrotfish sleeping, Sparisoma sp., head detail, Ponta da Sapata, Fernando de Noronha national marine sanctuary, Pernambuco, Brazil (S. Atlantic)

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Aerial view of Punta Allen Sian Ka'an Reserve, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Red lagoon near Boca Paila Bridge. In the language of the Mayan peoples who once inhabited this region, Sian Ka'an means Origin of the Sky. Located on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula, this biosphere reserve contains tropical forests, mangroves and marshes, as well as a large marine section intersected by a barrier reef. It provides a habitat for a remarkably rich flora and a fauna comprising more than 300 species of birds, as well as a large number of the region's characteristic terrestrial vertebrates, which cohabit in the diverse environment formed by its complex hydrological system. Along its roughly 120 kilometres of coastline, the property covers over 400,000 hectares of land ranging from sea level to only ten m.a.s.l. The property boasts diverse tropical forests, palm savannah, one of the most pristine wetlands in the region, lagoons, extensive mangrove stands, as well as sandy beaches and dunes. The 120,000 hectares of marine area protect a valuable part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and seagrass beds in the shallow bays. The lush green of the forests and the many shades of blue of the lagoons and the Caribbean Sea under a wide sky offer fascinating visual impressions.

Rowing at sunset in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Tahiti Nui, Society Islands, French Polynesia, South Pacific.

Snorkeling excursion in the shallow waters of the Bora Bora lagoon, Moorea, French Polynesia, Society Islands, South Pacific. Cook's Bay.

Paul Gauguin docked in the Island of Taha'a, French Polynesia. Motu Mahana palm trees at the beach, Taha'a, Society Islands, French Polynesia, South Pacific.

Public beach Opunohu Beach and Ta'ahiamanu beach in Moorea, Cook's Capitan Bay, French Polynesia, Society Islands, South Pacific.

Rowing at sunset in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Tahiti Nui, Society Islands, French Polynesia, South Pacific.

Snorkeling excursion in the shallow waters of the Bora Bora lagoon, Moorea, French Polynesia, Society Islands, South Pacific. Cook's Bay.

Electric eel, Electrophorus electricus; this air-breathing freshwater fish can deliver an electric shock up to 650 volts and naturally occurs in the Amazon river basins of South America including Brazil and Guyanas; photo taken in captivity.

Needle cuttlefish, Sepia aculeata, front view at night, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Nudibranch, Atlantis house reef, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Hermit crab, Coenobita perlatus, Bird I., Mili, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Wave breaking over shallow coral reef, Ailuk atoll, Marshall Islands, Pacific

Stripe-leg spiny lobster, Panulirus femoristriga, eye and rostrum detail, Short drop-off, Palau, Micronesia.

Emperor angelfish, Pomacanthus imperator, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Reef octopus, Octopus cyanea, eye and siphon detail, Rongelap, Marshall Islands, Micronesia

Clark's anemonefish, Amphiprion clarkii, unusual color variant, male, Dauin, Negros, Philippines..

Snowflake moray eel, Echidna nebulosa, scavenging in seagrass beds, Dumaguete, Negros, Philippines, Visayan sea.

Bigfin reef squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana, schooling, Rongelap, Marshall Islands, Micronesia

Starry night octopus, Octopus luteus, foraging on coral reef at night, Malapascua, Cebu, Philippines, Visayan Sea.

Common lionfish, Pterois volitans, blends in with a variety of soft corals and sponges, Cars, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Juvenile striped catfish, Plotosus lineatus, schooling and feeding on sandy bottom, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines.

Thousands of scalefin anthias, Pseudanthias squamipinnis, hover over corals and barrel sponge, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines.

Short-tailed pipefish, Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus, Masaplod, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines..

Spiral coral, Cirrhipathes spiralis, Dungan wall, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines.

Pink hydrocoral (lace coral), Stylaster sp., Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Emperor shrimp, Periclimenes imperator, next to gills of spanish dancer, Hexabranchus sanguineus, night, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines.

Family of false clown anemone fish, Amphiprion ocellaris, seeking refuge in sea anemone, Masaplod, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Aggregation of pyramid butterflyfish, Hemitaurichthys polylepis, Siaes drop-off, Palau, Micronesia.

Mandarinfish, Synchiropus splendidus, male, Malapascua, Cebu, Philippines, Visayan Sea.

Map puffer, Arothron mappa, Skin texture detail, Dumaguete, Negros, Philippines, Visayan sea.

Nudibranch, Chromodoris magnifica, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Over under image of coral reef, Acropora spp., and trees at Majikin Island, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Feather stars, Oxycomanthus bennetti, Temple of Doom, Great Barrier Reef, Australia (S. Pacific).

Bluefin trevally, Caranx melampygus, Ailuk atoll, Marshall Islands, Pacific

Juvenile and adult pink anemonefish in sea anemone, Amphiprion perideraion, Fila Reef, Port Vila, Vanuatu (S. Pacific).

Bigfin reef squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana, schooling, Rongelap, Marshall Islands, Micronesia

Horseshoe clam, Hippopus hippopus, Rongelap, Marshall Islands, Micronesia

Over under image of coral reef, Acropora spp., and trees at Majikin Island, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Orange-finned anemonefish, Amphiprion chrysopterus, and Merten's sea anemone, Stichodactyla mertensii, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Saddled butterflyfish, Chaetodon ephippium, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Beaked Whale stranded on coral reef during low tide, Mesoplodon sp., Mili, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific)..

Jellyfish, Mastigias sp., Palau, Micronesia.

Swimming crab, Charybdis acutifrons, Gato Island, Cebu, Philippines.

Split image of Smallspotted dart, Trachinotus baillonii, swimming along the sandy shore at dusk, Rongelap, Marshall Islands, Micronesia

Thrill seekers experience cage diving with Galapagos sharks, Carcharhinus galapagensis, North shore, Oahu, Hawaii, USA

Split image of lush vegetation and free diver observing lettuce coral, Turbinaria reniformis, next to cave entrance, Palau, Micronesia.

Regal angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, Hideaway island, Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Ornate ghost pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Dorid nudibranch, Glossodoris averni, La Laguna, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines.

Yellow boxfish, Ostracion cubicus, juvenile, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Pair of mandarinfish, Synchiropus splendidus, mating, Malapascua ,Cebu, Philippines, Visayan Sea.

Broadband cuttlefish, Sepia latimanus, in sandy bottom, Gato Island, Cebu, Philippines.

Ornamental crab, Schizophrys aspera, Palau, Micronesia.

Decorator spider crab, Cyclocoeloma tuberculata, Dumaguete, Negros, Philippines.

Common lionfish, Pterois volitans, close-up, Sabang wreck, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines.

Over under of banca and sandy seafloor, Apo island Marine Reserve, Philippines.

Anemone shrimp, Periclimenes brevicarpalis, El Dorado reef, Dumaguete, Negros Island, Philippines.

Whitetip reef shark, Triaenodon obesus, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Red (Lace) coral, Distichopora violacea, feather stars, and juvenile gray reef shark, Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos, Ailuk atoll, Marshall Islands, Pacific

Regal angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Coral reef, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Over under image of marshallese boy smiling underwater next to coral reef and coconut trees lining the shore of Majikin Island, Namu atoll, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific).

Piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri), a carnivorous fish, caught on a line, southern Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil