Packed with information and useful graphics, this book is an invaluable companion for divers and naturalist alike. Part armchair retreat, part field guide, this volume takes readers on an underwater voyage of discovery beneath the Red Sea, Malaysia, the Caribbean Sea, and the Maldives. Chapters are organized geographically, presenting the outstanding natural features and unique characteristics of each region. Accompanying the exhaustive text, maps and 3-D reconstructions of the seabed and coral reefs provide both naturalists and divers with an in-depth understanding of the creatures and plant life that makes each of these marine ecosystems unique and beautiful. Hundreds of spectacular colour photographs convey the extraordinary richness of these underwater paradises, spotlighting flora and fauna, and various species in their natural environments. Precise biological drawings prove indispensable to naturalists. ILLUSTRATIONS: 322 colour photographs