Coral reefs not only offer beautiful environments you can view while snorkeling but also provide a home to many marine life species. Before you venture out to view Hawaii’s reefs, learn more about them with these fun facts.

What You Should Know About Hawaii’s Coral Reefs

1. Acres of Reef

There are 410,000 acres of living coral reefs around Hawaii, which is more than the entire landmass of Oahu. Sometimes called the rainforest of the sea, the reef ecosystem is home to more than 7,000 species, and scientists are still discovering new ones all the time. The reefs stretch for more than 1200 miles across the Pacific Ocean and comprise around 80% of the reefs in United States waters.

2. Corals Are Animals

Corals are classified as animals since they eat, grow, and reproduce. They feed by using their nematocysts to catch zooplankton and small fish at night.

Coral and algae rely on each other. Microscopic algae known as zooxanthellae live inside coral polyps, where they use the coral’s waste for photosynthesis. The algae, in turn, help corals grow and create reefs. 

3. Only State With Coral

Hawaii is the only state that has coral atolls. Since the islands sit at the northern limit of the tropics, it’s also one of the most remote archipelagos, which has helped promote many endemic species of corals as well as other animals under the water.

4. Coral, Algae, & Sand

Hawaii has more than 500 species of marine algae that produce a tremendous amount of oxygen and provide a food source for marine life. Algae attached to coral are also responsible for the beautiful white sand of Hawaii’s shoreline.

Parrotfish will bite and scrape algae off dead corals, which also contain calcium carbonate from the reef itself. These fish then excrete waste that turns into the sand you find on the beach.

5. Conservation Site

In 2000, President Clinton issued an Executive Order to create the Northwestern Hawaiian Island Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve. The 84 million acres of the ocean around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are the largest conservation area in the country.

If you’re hoping to learn more about Hawaii’s unique marine environment, book an excursion with Ko Olina Ocean Adventures. From snorkeling and SNUBA to dolphin and whale watching, their tours offer an unparalleled opportunity to view the island from above and below the waves. As a member of the Hawaii Ecotourism Association, the company will not only take you to see gorgeous sights but also teach you about local ecology and sustainability. To book a future snorkeling adventure, call (808) 396-2068. Check out photos of their trips on their website.