The Caribbean reef is always telling you where you are. Learning the language it uses is simply a matter of attention. This practical identification guide covers the hard corals, soft corals, gorgonians, and encrusting species most commonly encountered by recreational divers on Caribbean reefs — from the Florida Keys and the Bahamas to Belize, Honduras, and the wider Caribbean basin. Each entry includes common name, scientific name, identifying features, typical depth range, Caribbean distribution, and distinguishing notes to separate similar species. Five chapters cover: Hard corals — including the three Acropora species, brain corals, star corals, pillar coral, and more - Soft corals and gorgonians — sea fans, sea plumes, sea rods, and encrusting forms - Encrusting species — fire corals, tube coral, rose coral, and reef surface organisms - Coral health indicators — bleaching, disease identification, and physical damage assessment - Reef navigation using coral landmarks — a technique used by experienced Caribbean dive guides Written for recreational divers who want to move beyond fish identification and develop a working knowledge of the reef structures that support Caribbean marine ecosystems. Thirty-four black-and-white photographs throughout. Marco Salcedo holds an M.Sc. in Marine Biology from the University of Miami and has been diving the Caribbean for fifteen years. He is based in Key West, Florida. Note: This field guide appears as a prop in the Caribbean thriller Dead Reckoning by David Garrison. Readers of that novel who find their way here are encouraged to check the index carefully.