The Greater Antilles is made up of a unique complex of marine ecosystems: hundreds of islands surrounded by one of the largest barrier reefs in the world.
In this ecoregion swims the magnificent Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), as well as other smaller cetaceans such as the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis), an elegant dolphin with light grey marks on its back that springs out of the water, at times at quite impressive heights, and follows the bow wave of boats.
Of the invertebrates, notable for its regal beauty is the Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), a sea mollusc with a single eye-catching pink shell that can be up to 30 cm in diameter.
The Strombus produces splendid pink pearls that have a fair market value, explaining the exploitation that has brought it to the verge of extinction.


With Costa Cruises you can enjoy such riches of the sea with cruises from the Antilles to the Virgin Islands, from Mexico to Jamaica and Costa Rica, and from Florida to the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.