Sea Whip
Leptogorgia species
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A flexible, branching soft coral in purple, orange or yellow, often washed ashore after storms.
- Typical size
- 6–24 in
- How often it turns up
- Common in drift
- Collecting
- Protected, do not collect
- Handling
- May be alive
Detached, dried sea whip is generally fine. Never cut living colonies — soft corals are protected in Florida waters.
How to tell it apart
- Whip-like branches with a rubbery texture
- Purple, orange, red or yellow
- Tiny pores where polyps sat
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
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More tidepool life in the field guide
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