HOUSE REEF
The coral barrier reef is a very fragile ecosystem made up of colonies of tiny, delicate living organisms called polyps.
They grow by just a few centimetres per year and represent a source of food and shelter for many animals: a barrier of several kilometres in length can accommodate dozens of species of corals, molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans and over four hundred types of fish, as many as are found in the entire Mediterranean Sea.
The entrance to the reef at low tide is marked by a rock that can be seen above the surface; at high tide, it is advisable to enter the water further to the north and then move down southwards along the barrier with the current.
You can admire plateaus and coral gardens and meet stingray, bowmouth guitarfish, puffer fish, coral groupers, parrotfish, turtles, moral eels and even the occasional shoal of squid.
The recommended exit is opposite the Diving centre along the route marked by buoys.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP OFF THE REEF
The Gorgonia Beach Resort is inside a protected area.
This is why there is no landing stage to provide access to the reef.
Swimming – not walking – is the way to get around, as soon as the water is deep enough, to avoid destroying the fragile corals and bothering the local fish.
