Staghorn Coral

Photo: Floyd E. Hayes · CC BY-NC

Extensive stands of staghorn coral cover the reef terraces above the wall, forming thickets that provide shelter for dozens of damselfish, wrasse, and hawkfish species. This fast-growing branching Acropora is a critical framework builder on Indo-Pacific reefs, and its recovery after bleaching events is an important indicator of overall reef resilience. At Naviti the staghorn gardens appear in excellent condition, suggesting the site's exposure to clean ocean water and limited human pressure has buffered the worst effects of recent regional warming episodes.