Whale Shark Above Coral Reef Coloring Page

About this page

The whale shark here swims to the right above a crowded reef, its broad, flat head and wide mouth facing the viewer's right. The skin is covered in a pattern of small ringed spots and cross lines, which run from the head all the way to the tail at the upper left. The pectoral fin hangs below the body at the center, and several ridges mark the flank. Below the animal sit a big brain-like coral at the bottom left, layered plate corals, tube sponges, branching coral and round honeycomb-patterned coral at the right. Small fish are everywhere in the water: a long line across the top right, a group at the left, and a few striped angelfish at the right. Bubbles rise from the left. The spotted skin alone provides hours of detail, so it suits adults who enjoy intricate patterns.

In this picture

• whale shark
• spotted skin
• wide mouth
• pectoral fin
• brain coral
• plate corals
• tube sponges
• branching coral
• small fish
• bubbles

Coloring ideas

• Fill the rings on the shark's back in alternating pale yellow and white against a blue-gray body
• Color the brain coral in a warm tan with darker olive in its grooves
• Use bright oranges and purples on the plate corals so they stand out below the shark
• Make the long line of tiny fish silvery blue
• Shade the honeycomb coral at the right with two tones of rose

Suggested palette

• ocean blue
• pale yellow
• olive
• coral orange
• violet
• silver

Good for

• a marathon coloring project for adults
• a marine biology club display piece
• a mindful, slow-paced evening activity

Coloring tips

• Start with the largest areas, then add detail.
• Test markers on spare paper to prevent bleed-through.
• Use lighter layers first when working with colored pencils.

Print guide

1. Choose the PDF that matches your paper size.
2. Print at 100% scale or “actual size”.
3. Use portrait orientation and normal print quality.