Synopsis The Andaman & Nicobar Islands comprise more than 500 islands, islets and rock outcrops, emerged in the eastern region of Bay of Bengal. They lie between 6°45'N and 13°42'N lat. and between 92°12'E and 93°57'E long. These islands are well known to support one of the richest coral formations in the Indo-Pacific region. The reefs of these islands are of fringing type. At present, due to extensive damage of the habitats, the coral reefs are largely restricted to some scattered areas as patches around the islands. These reefs are supporting multi-coloured organisms including sessile, sedimentary and encrusted forms. Of these, the soft corals (Alcyonaceans) are the most common group of sessile macroinvertebrates conspicuous by their usual encrusting colonies.