Venezuela has 2875 km of coastline; approximately 67% are in the Caribbean Sea and 33% in the Atlantic Ocean. The Venezuelan coast could be divided from east to west into the following regions:

1. - The Atlantic zone, formed by the coasts of Monagas State and Delta Amacuro, where an extensive mangrove area can be found. The development of the reefs in these coasts is very poor due to low salinities and high sedimentation that results from the continuous fluvial discharges of the Orinoco and San Juan rivers.

2. - In the area of Sucre and Puerto La Cruz, corals are quite abundant but reefs are not important.

3. - The Miranda and Anzoátegui States are characterized by big accumulations of fluvial silts along the coastline. The coastal lagoons are common, while coral communities are not abundant.

4. - The Litoral Central (Vargas State) is a coastline characterized by cliff and a high wave energy, this condition limited the coral reef development. Scattered coral communities along this coast have been in decline the last decades, due to high sedimentation from terrestrial runoff, urban development and heavy rainfall.

5. Aragua and Carabobo Coastline, here a better development of coral and coral reef communities can be observed. There are some bays located near this area with healthy coral communities (e.g Guabina, La Ciénaga de Ocumare, Turiamo, Flores and Yapascua) (Villamizar, Pers. comm). In Carabobo State, the San Esteban National Park has well represented reef communities especially at several small keys.

6. – Falcon State, Morrocoy National Park is located in this area, well represented seagrass beds of Thalassia testudinum can be found, the forest mangroves are dominated by Rhizophora mangle and also sandy beaches are common. The coral reefs used to be the most important reef formation of Venezuelan mainland, but they have declined considerably in the last decade. Peninsula de Paraguaná, is an area of strong wave exposure, characterized by big rocky platforms, sandy beaches and some fringing reefs.

7. - The Gulf of Venezuela at western coastline, where mangroves are very important while the reefs are absent.

The highest reef development in Venezuela is reached in the oceanic islands, such as Archipiélago de Aves, Archipelago de Los Roques, La Orchila, La Tortuga, La Blanquilla, Isla Los Hermanos. The Islands of the continental shelf located at the eastern region of Venezuela are Margarita, Coche, Cubagua, Islas Caracas, Islas Chimanas, Islas Borrachas and Isletas de Piritu, here reefs could arise but their development might be limited by upwelling conditions.

The coral reefs in Venezuela are important places for the practice of scuba diving and many others tourist activities like sport fishing, snorkeling, etc. In the Archipelago de Los Roques National Park and Morrocoy National Park, there is an intensive tourism activity. Also fishing of lobster, Panulirus argus, and bone fish (Albula vulpes) sport fishing are important sources of foreign currencies in the Archipelago. In Morrocoy and Mochima Nationals Parks the scuba diving figures among the main recreational activities, diving trips are often organized periodically to these parks. Often diving courses are offered in their reefs. Coral reef resources are often used by local populations located nearby coral reefs, artesian and subsistence fishing is common among these towns. The main fishes extracted are red snappers, groupers, grunts, jacks, Barracudas and Mackerels.

Venezuela has 2875km of coastline; approximately 67% are in the Caribbean Sea and 33% in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite this, the area covered by coral reefs has not been determined accurately, and it is known that the best reef development occurs around the oceanic islands, specifically at Archipelago de Aves, Archipelago Los Roques, La Orchila and La Blanquilla. Coral communities are common on the Venezuelan continental shelf, but development is limited by high sedimentation, terrestrial runoff and upwelling. Major changes in coral reef structure have been reported along the continental shelf, where coral reefs have declined in the last decade (e.g. Morrocoy National Park).

The coast of Venezuela is 2875 km long and with most of this (67%) in the Caribbean where the reefs are found. There are no reefs along the Atlantic coast because of freshwater and sediment runoff, and upwellings. Nearshore coral reefs occur only in Moroccoy National Park and adjacent areas (San Esteban, Turiamo and Ocumare de la Costa), with more than 30 coral species and reef growth to 20 m depth; and Mochima National Park and adjacent reefs (Coche and Cubagua islands), with more than 20 coral species to depths of 14 m. The best developed reefs are around the oceanic islands, especially at Archipelago de Aves, Archipelago Los Roques, La Orchila and La Blanquilla, which have 57 coral species growing to great depths e.g. 57 m.

Reefs occur mainly in 3 Caribbean areas on the 2875 km Caribbean and Atlantic coastline: 1) the Morrocoy National Park and adjacent reefs (San Esteban, Turiamo and Ocumare de la Costa), with the best developed coral reefs on the coast (more than 30 coral species and reef growth to 20 m depth); 2) the Mochima National Park and adjacent reefs (Coche and Cubagua islands), with more than 20 coral species growing to 14 m; and 3) the oceanic islands, more than 100 km offshore, with the best reefs of Venezuela at Los Roques Archipelago (57 coral species, reef growth to more than 50 m), and also at Las Aves Archipelago, and Isla de Aves, Orchila and Blanquilla islands.

Mangroves are well distributed on the Venezuelan coast, except on the central coast, occupying 250 000 ha, especially in the deltas of the large rivers (San Juan, Neverí, Unare, Tuy, Aroa, Yaracuy, Tocuyo and Catatumbo) but most of the mangroves (73%) are in the Orinoco. Mangroves also occur around the large islands of Margarita and the archipelagos. Although protected by law, the 6 species reported are being affected by coastal development (logging and habitat destruction). Seagrass beds are less extensive than mangroves but still very ubiquitous, with the main beds where reefs and mangroves also occur.