Many of you already know of the huge ocean swells that plagued the VI last week. Well it seems the swells have caused some damage to coral heads. But first as you read, it does not say all coral is damaged. I wouldn't want any of you coming here to think that. You can still have a good snorkeling time! http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/i ... d=17622481
That's too bad. We snorkeled over the elkhorn at Hawksnest for the first time in October and I was really impressed by the quantity and the healthiness of the coral.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
When the reports of the swells were announced that was the first thing that came to my mind was the elkhorn at Hawksnest. Hope it faired well that is one of my favorite snorkel spots. We'll see in May how it held up keepin my fingers crossed.
Well that just stinks just read puddlejumpers link. Glad I got to see it before this happened kinda makes me sick I snorkeled that reef at least a dozen times knew it like the back of my hand.
Just came home from a day at Magens beach -- there must have been a hundred sea fans washed up on the west end above the current tide line - purple, green and orange. And I saw a number of people collecting them too. Obviously recent as they were still bright and pliable, and quite odorous! There isn't all that much reef on the edges of the bay so something this devastating will take a LONG time to regenerate. It was a huge and unusual swell event but I have seen its equal here before and then of course there has been a few hurric***s.
usvi-on-line
I'll post some pictures...and perhaps video...when I can get to it. 
as if the coral isn't having a hard enough time already!
