Measuring 10′ x 16′, the worlds largest piece of brain coral in the western Hemisphere can be found at the popular dive spot of Spey side. We saw eels sleeping right under the bottom of it. We also saw a nurse shark the size of me! We went down to about 55 feet deep.

This coral is made up of tiny animals called polyps. Polyps live in colonies that can get as old as 900 years. They secrete calcium which creates a hard stone like skeleton, an important part of a coral reef. The giant individual coral is made up of millions of tiny polyps that feed mainly at night by extending their tentacles. Corals are very fragile, so divers are warned to be very careful and never to touch any corals. Minor scrapes from fins or tanks can destroy the structure of the coral polyps, which in some cases can cause serious infection and leave ugly scars. This single colony is as large as a truck!!!More pictures to come on following days.

Uma