Book Review: Exploring the Wonders of Coastal Reefs and Rock Pools

A Field Guide to the Marine Life of Coastal Reefs and Rock Pools by Phil Colman and Peter Mitchell

Phil Coleman

Have you ever wandered along a rock shelf at low tide, marvelling at the vibrant marine life, and wondered how these creatures survive the changing tides? Or spotted a moving shell and thought, what is that? If you’ve ever had these questions, this book is for you.

Phil Colman and Peter Mitchell have revisited and expanded their original 2011 self-published book, Exploring Tidal Waters on Australia’s Temperate Coast, with an exciting new second edition: A Field Guide to the Marine Life of Coastal Reefs and Rock Pools, launched in early 2025. This updated version features even more species, colourful photographs, and a lively, engaging style—sprinkled with humour—to make learning about marine life both accessible and enjoyable.

The original book was inspired by Phil’s 25 years of leading groups through Long Reef Aquatic Reserve, answering countless questions about the intertidal zone. Since then, Phil and Peter have discovered their guide is relevant to temperate intertidal zones worldwide, sparking interest even in South Africa.

Beyond its appeal to nature enthusiasts, Phil hopes this guide will serve as a valuable resource for university students, helping to answer the many mysteries of the marine world and inspire further research into intertidal ecosystems.

The book is now available as of February 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to dive deeper into the fascinating life of coastal reefs and rock pools!