Beneath The Bay: 215 Reef Balls, 4,300+ Cubic Yards of Riprap, One Healthier Habitat!
When you think of The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, chances are you picture waterfront dining, open-air shopping, beautiful sunsets and, perhaps, a dolphin or manatee making an unexpected appearance. But some of the most important work at The Village is happening somewhere you can’t immediately see it: beneath the surface of the Venetian Bay.
Over the years, The Village has made a significant investment in enhancing the waters surrounding our property, installing 215 concrete reef balls and more than 4,300 cubic yards of riprap along our waterfront to create an artificial reef. While they may be hidden beneath the Bay, their purpose is much bigger than simply giving our visitors something interesting to spot from the railing.
Artificial reefs are designed to add structure to an underwater environment, creating places where fish and other marine organisms can find shelter, feed, and live. That means those 215 reef balls aren’t simply concrete structures sitting beneath the water. Together with more than 4,300 cubic yards of riprap, they help create an expansive underwater habitat along The Village’s perimeter.
Over time, these submerged structures can become gathering places for marine life and contribute to a more dynamic aquatic environment which we have seen take effect very rapidly since their installation. Above the water you see The Village, but beneath it an entirely different community is taking shape.
It’s easy to talk about sustainability but we love being able to show you what it actually looks like.
- 215 reef balls
- 4,300+ cubic yards of riprap
- 50+ underwater lights
…and countless opportunities for marine life to make our Venetian Bay home.
Artificial reef projects are increasingly being used throughout Florida, and specifically other locations in Naples following suit, as long-term investments in marine habitats. This is an investment we, at The Village Shops, have fully committed to, to ensure that this habitat continues to develop beneath the surface for years to come.
If you’ve spent time at The Village, you’ve probably witnessed some of our favorite evidence that the Venetian Bay is teeming with life. Schools of fish regularly gather, dolphins cruise through the Bay, manatees occasionally make their way past our restaurants and boutiques, among many more critters! Look closely…you never quite know what you’ll discover.
The experience doesn’t end at sunset. More than 50 underwater green lights illuminate the waters surrounding The Village after dark, creating an extraordinary window into what’s happening beneath the surface.
Our underwater lights give guests dining or strolling along the waterfront a glimpse into a world that normally disappears after sunset. It’s one of those captivating Village experiences that’s difficult to describe until you’ve seen it yourself! Have you seen it yet?
We are fortunate to call one of Naples’ most beautiful waterfront settings home…but being situated on the water also comes with an opportunity to care for it.
Our artificial reef project represents something we’re incredibly proud of: a waterfront that isn’t simply meant to be admired from above. It’s one we’re helping support below the surface, too. So, the next time you visit The Village, shop your favorite boutique, or sit down for dinner overlooking Venetian Bay, make one extra stop. Walk over to the railing and look down.
We’re proud to have played a part in making the Venetian Bay even more beautiful!
The Village Shops on Venetian Bay
4200 Gulf Shore Blvd North, Naples, FL 34103
Call 239-261-6100 or visit www.venetianvillage.com
Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @VenetianVillage and Twitter @VenetianNaples.