Rocky outcrops (primarily basalt) are found in the shallow coastal waters off the Kollam coast. These underwater rocky reefs provide ideal conditions for marine life to attach, feed, hide, and breed. They support a unique marine ecosystem and provide crucial livelihoods for the fishing communities in the area.

A subaquatic survey conducted by the Marine Monitoring Lab (MML) of the Department of Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, Kerala University, recorded five species of hard corals and over 30 species of soft corals along the Kollam coast.

Many of these are new records for the area. Studies suggest that two-thirds of the soft coral species recorded in Kerala are found off the Kollam coast.

These rocky reefs are considered biodiversity hotspots, playing a crucial role in the marine ecosystem by providing habitats, breeding grounds, and refuge for a diverse range of marine life.

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