Mountainous Star Coral

Photo: Jorge Bogantes Montero · CC BY-NC

Massive colonies of mountainous star coral form the structural backbone of the Playa Brava reef, with some heads exceeding two metres in diameter representing centuries of growth. This species is a primary reef builder across the Caribbean and serves as critical habitat for dozens of fish species that shelter within its crevices and along its flanks. Long-term monitoring has shown that Tayrona's park status has helped protect these colonies from anchor damage and sedimentation that have degraded unprotected reefs along the Colombian coast.