See More Than Half of the Island

Did you know that most of the island is actually underwater?  Or that most Caribbean islands are surrounded by a rich diversity of life below the surface?

A man by the name of Dennis Hurd knew this.  He witnessed the beautiful coral reefs off island coasts while he ran a company that utilized small submarines for the service of the offshore oil industry.  For many people, this would have been an ideal job.  I guess he was not satisfied with just working under the sea's surface, he also wanted to have fun doing it.  So he started Atlantis Adventures.  I am thankful he did.

Now, whenever I travel to Hawaii, Aruba, Barbados, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, I have the opportunity to explore the other half of the islands - that which is underwater.
According to the website Marine Science by Genny Anderson of Santa Barbara City College, coral reefs begin to form around a newly created island.  This island often times is the result of volcanic activity. 

As you can see, before long (like tens of thousands of years) and if the situations are right, there forms an entire superstructure of coral reef around the island.  As time goes by, this reef structure might separate from the island and form a barrier.

From the surface of the ocean, or looking out from the beach, you might not even know of the expansive world that lies below.  And with Atlantis, you don't have to put on a wet suit (or work for the oil industry) to see what lies below.

Photos by Genny Anderson