Please note: The Gift Shop and Harbor View Café are closed for renovations until mid-November. A temporary gift shop is located on the third floor (Aquarium admission required for entry). Learn more about on-site dining options here.
Witness coral reef biodiversity in action with intimate views of unique coral reef animals like dwarf seahorses, critically endangered staghorn coral, and mesmerizing garden eels.
Know Before You Go
The Yawkey Coral Reef Center offers an intimate view of Caribbean coral inhabitants who are too small to be seen in the Giant Ocean Tank.
- The long-spined sea urchins in this gallery graze on algae that can smother corals. Their presence helps keep corals strong and healthy.
- Yawkey Coral Reef Center is one of three areas where you can see living coral in the Aquarium. The others are the Living Corals exhibit and the Lagoon exhibit.
- Aquarium educators are often present to provide in-depth information about coral reef ecosystems and conservation. Feel free to ask them if you have any questions.
Animals in This Exhibit
See the smaller (but no less important!) residents of Caribbean coral reefs.
Below the Surface of Caribbean Waters
Caribbean waters support essential underwater habitats, including coral reefs, sandy seafloors, seagrasses, and mangroves. The exhibits in this gallery offer a closer look at some of the beauty and diversity of these different habitats and the opportunity to explore the smaller inhabitants of the Caribbean.
Carbon Dioxide’s Increasing Effect on Coral Reefs
As human production of CO₂ increases, the ocean is absorbing more CO₂ than it can handle. This is causing the ocean to become more acidic, which makes it difficult for hard-shelled animals to grow their shells properly and for corals to form their skeletons. Coral reefs worldwide are fragile, so it’s important to take action against climate change on a community level now.
Take a Look Around
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