This 80,000 gallon coral reef aquarium encircles you as you enter the air-conditioned Caribbean Reef Encounter.

The aquarium is open to the elements, which means the thousands of reef animals that are housed here receive natural day and moonlight and experience rain just like a natural reef would.

Coral World's marine operations staff has reconstructed this natural living coral reef with an amazing array of local corals, sponges, fish, sea anemones, lobsters, conchs, stingrays and other marine creatures. Recreating a coral reef on land is a difficult task because corals are among the most sensitive organisms on our planet. Because the Caribbean Reef Encounter receives unfiltered sea water directly from the ocean around the Undersea Observatory Tower, we are able to satisfy the requirements of corals for relatively constant temperatures and salinity and to provide nutrition to the corals.

Watch the fish go into a feeding frenzy as a diver hand feeds in the tank during the twice daily narrated feedings. See Feeding Schedule.

If you would like to walk through a coral reef instead of just being a spectator, try Sea Trek, the ultimate helmet dive, and come face to face with many of the animals you see in the Caribbean Reef Encounter.

Ever thought of sleeping with the fish? Reserve your sleepover party now - for more information contact our Marketing Department at marketing2@coralworldvi.com.