40 divers from across the globe joined us this week to witness the Coral Spawning event on the Anse Chastanet Reef. A nail biting time for us organizers when so many people have travelled to see this event, and it is a bug guessing game of when it occurred. The event however was a mind blowing success, with more spawning seen than the last couple of years.

Once a year, on cues from the lunar cycle and the water temperature, entire colonies of coral reefs simultaneously release their tiny eggs and sperm, called gametes, into the ocean. The phenomenon brings to mind an underwater blizzard with billions of colorful flakes cascading in white, yellow, red, and orange.

In ways that scientists still do not fully understand, mature corals release their gametes all at the same time. This synchrony is crucial, because the gametes of most coral species are viable for only a few hours. The “blizzard” makes it more likely that fertilization will occur.  

The gametes, full of fatty substances called lipids, rise slowly to the ocean surface, where the process of fertilization begins.

We were worried, as dive shop managers that there would be too much light with this many divers diving in one area, however by staggering the groups, we naturally spaced out making for a blissful night dive, with everyone witnessing a coral spawning. We couldn’t ask for better.

Make sure to join us next year!

Photography by Bernd Rac- Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain photographer.