Deep Reef Grief

Deep Reef Grief is the twenty-first level in Donkey Kong Land III. Taking place in the depths of the Lower Ape Lake, it is also the third level in the Great Ape Lakes area.

To complete the level, Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong must swim through a network of narrow passages, between massive coral reefs, while avoiding countless waves of enemies. Although Deep Reef Grief is more straightforward than the previous "Coral" levels, namely Seabed Shanty and Coral Quarrel, it is also much harder to navigate. Indeed, avoiding the countless schools of Bazzas, Kocos and Lurchins proves quite tricky. A few Bounty Basses can be found as well, taking advantage of their bulkiness in order to block the Kongs' way. Luckily, right after the Star Barrel, Dixie and Kiddy will encounter their friend, Enguarde the Swordfish, whose pointed bill will help them defeat their underwater opponents. However, in vertical passages, Enguarde's stabbing attack may be harder to use.

"Deep Reef Grief" is one of the only levels in Donkey Kong Land III where the DK Coin can be found without having to defeat a Koin. Actually, in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble, there was a small cave at the end of each "Coral" level, in which the Kong could find the Koin. Such caves do not appear in the Game Boy sequel.

Level Layout
At the beginning of the level, the heroes will begin their journey by swimming between the plants and corals around the area. After passing a few Bazzas, they will find the letter K and have to head on through the bending pathway, passing a few more enemies. Once the monkeys make their way through an upward, Lurchin-infested pathway, they will start to float downwards to find the letter O. After they get this, they will continue through the area and have to dodge several Lurchins. The pathway will twist and turn throughout even more of the level, and the Kongs will eventually meet some more Kocos and Bazzas as they move along the narrow areas. Avoiding numerous enemies, the heroes will soon curve into a downwards pathway and find the Star Barrel.

About halfway through the level, the Kongs will make their way to an Animal Barrel. Upon entering this commonly found barrel, they will turn into Enguarde. Enguarde should swim through the remaining portion of the level after this and travel between the narrow path of coral. With the area being full of sharp turns and sharp Lurchins, the swordfish's travels will not be easy. After passing a school of Bazzas, the fish will make his way west to a No Animal Sign, turning him back into the Kongs. At this point, the group should enter a large, open area full of many enemies. Eventually, they will continue along another narrow path and have to avoid several more schools of Bazzas. They will soon come up to the letter G. From there, they will end up swimming through more of the narrow pathway, until they hover south and see a flagpole. After touching the flagpole, the level will end.

Bonus Levels

 * Where the letter O can be found, the heroes will have to hover to the right and swim through the water. Soon, they will come up to a Bonus Barrel. Carefully maneuvering around the many Lurchins in the area, they will be able to get in the barrel, sending them into a Bonus Level. There, they will have to swim along the perimeter of the area to collect stars. After grabbing the last two stars in the center of the stage, they will find the Bonus Coin below them.
 * Shortly after the letter N, the Kongs will find an arrow pointing to the left. They should ignore it and head downwards, passing a few Bazzas. Soon, they will find themselves near the next Bonus Barrel. Once they are shot to the next Bonus Level with it, they will have to swim through a long, curvy area. The stage will be filled with dozens of enemies, so the monkeys will have to be careful. If they can make it safely to the end of the stage within forty seconds, they will be awarded with a Bonus Coin.

DK Coin

 * Right after the letter O, the heroes will have to swim along the pathway until they find an arrow, made by a formation of bananas. If they hover to the right from there adn pass a Lurchin, they will enter an area with the DK Coin. Though a Koin would normally have this, the DK Coin will only be surrounded by some more Lurchins. One touch of the coin, and the monkeys will be able to add it into their collection.