Coral reefs are made up of coral polyps and inorganic life.

There are usually found in clear, shallow, warm and saline waters. Coral polyps are small soft-bodied creatures which absorb calcium carbonate found in the water and builds up a hard casing of limestone. Coral reefs are found through-out the Caribbean and their value is critical, broadly involving physical, environmental, economic and health benefits to the Caribbean society and culture. Coral reefs act as a barrier in the ocean against large powerful waves. They reduce the energy of incoming waves which may have been caused by hurricanes or earthquakes. This physical benefit is important since they provide quiet-area habitats for a variety of species and also allow swamps and mangroves to flourish extensively. This may also extend to protecting property near the coastline thus reducing the extent of damage caused by storm surges. Another physical benefit of coral reefs is that they provide material for beach sand which may have been heavily depleted otherwise. Environmentally, reefs provide habitats, shelter and food for thousands of species of marine flora and fauna. This is referred to as the rich biodiversity of coral reefs. As such a variety of reef fish such as parrot fish, butterfly fish hand snappers live in the area of the reefs to provide a diverse eco-system. Spawning and feeding grounds are also created as fish move to this area to reproduce and obtain a source of food. The economic benefits of coral reefs are enormous, especially from a Caribbean perspective which is heavily dependent upon the tourism industry. Coral reefs are a major part of eco-tourism in the Caribbean. They allow activities such as snorkeling, scuba-diving, game-fishing and photography to take place which earn Caribbean countries large amounts of tourist dollars thus increasing its gross domestic product.

Coral Reefs are the home of more than one quarter of all known marine fish species and tens of thousands of other species. The Caribbean coral reefs are vital and valuable natural resources that contain a wealth of biodiversity including over 60 species of coral and 1,500 different species of fish many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Coral reefs provide both a good and a service to many Caribbean islands.

These coral reefs are crucial to the Caribbean as they provide a source of income through tourism, fishing and pharmaceutical industries. They also play a huge role in protecting the coastlines from erosion, flooding and storm damage. In providing a barrier between the shore and the ocean, it helps to show how important coral reefs are in protecting the shore from strong currents and waves. The coral reefs help grow the productive economic income of tourism as they provide the tourist with wide varieties activities such as snorkelling and diving from both far and wide to view the beauties of the reefs most colourful and mystifying depths. Coral reefs are the homes for many fishes which in turn offer the Caribbean islanders a source of food. Most of the Caribbean islands have fishes in their natural dishes and/or their cultural roots are that of the fishes which dates back to their ancestors whom skills were fishing. In giving a home to the fishes it also protects them from predators in the water.

In relation to the Caribbeans cultural ways, this helps in the cultural aspect in which the heritage relating to such values the association with the natural habitats may be the investment in cultural or heritage foundation, even if such is views as a non-use service.