Coral Capers

Coral Capers is the fourth level of Donkey Kong Country. It is also the fourth level, of the Kongo Jungle area, located on the coast of a lake. It is the first underwater level in the game.

This level is the first one where the player has to control the Kongs by swimming. It is one of the shortest levels in the game, and, like other underwater levels, does not feature any Bonus Levels. Although the level may seem a bit normal and plain, two Enguardes appear in different parts of the level to help Donkey and Diddy Kong on their quest. These swordfish friends can be a big help on the Kongs' quest. Enemies here include the basic underwater enemies: Bitesizes, Croctopi, Chomps Jr., Chomps and Clambos, who all make their first appearance in this stage.

Level Layout
At the beginning of the level, the Kongs swim through a wide underwater area containing a few Bitesizes and the level's first DK Barrel. A pathway leading north to the letter K and another area is ahead after a pair of Bitesizes. A channel stretching to the right of the letter K allows the heroes to access a square-shaped area with a large, coral structure in the center of it. A Croctopus swims all around this area in a large circle, trying to hit into the primates as they cross through it. Another channel in this area leads to a large, open section with a lone Bitesize in it. An alcove at the bottom of this area contains an Animal Crate with Enquarde in it. The swordfish can aid the Kongs as they head north through a long passage, making their way into another square-shaped area with a coral structure in the center of it. A Croctopus circles this structure, which has an Extra Life Balloon to the right of it. A channel in the left part of this area leads to a wobbling DK Barrel and a curvy passage that takes the primates into a wide section consisting of a few Bitesizes. The level's Star Barrel is farther into this area next to a passage facing south.

Three gaps are above this passage: the one farthest to the left contains a Banana Bunch, the one in the middle holds the letter O, and the alcove on the far right carries a single banana. Once the heroes head down the aforementioned passage, they access another square-shaped section with a piece of land in the center of it. As before, a Croctopus circles the area. An Animal Crate containing the second Enguarde also sits in the corner of this area, which the heroes can exit with the use of a small channel that helps them reach a wider area with a Chomps Jr. and a DK Barrel in it. A passage facing north immediately follows this barrel with a few Chomps swimming around in it. The heroes can find a hidden pathway over a wall to enter a hidden alcove containing an Animal Token of Expresso the Ostrich. Once the heroes reach the top of this passage, they can find the letter N and a channel with a wider area on the opposite side of it. Several Bitesizes swim through here. The long pathway widens even more after they pass a Clambo in an alcove. In this wider section, two structures can be seen in the center of the area with a Croctopus circling them. The Kongs can nab the letter G between them. An exit sign stands nearby, and once the heroes pass it, they complete the level.

K-O-N-G Letters

 * K: The letter K is in an alcove at the top of the first passage that faces north.
 * O: The letter O is in a small alcove above a Chomps Jr. next to the Star Barrel.
 * N: The letter N is located at the top of a passage found immediately after the third DK Barrel in the level.
 * G: Near the end of the level, the Kongs can find a sign that indicates that the level is almost finished. The letter G is in a small channel nearby around a Croctopus.

Warp Barrel

 * When the Kongs find the first Croctopus in the level, they must swim downwards towards it to reach a large area filled with bananas. The Warp Barrel appears at the bottom-right of this area when the heroes swim into its location. It leads them to the end of the level. This warp can only be found in the Game Boy Advance version of the game.

Photograph (Game Boy Advance version only)

 * Near the end of the level, the Kongs should swim under the letter G and float downwards into a hidden area to find a photograph, giving them a picture of Donkey Kong for their scrapbook.