Extracts of 39 species of Caribbean gorgonians were tested for antimicrobial activity against 15 strains of marine bacteria. Overall, only 15% (79 out of 544) of the tests resulted in antibacterial activity with 33% of the gorgonians inhibiting only one bacterial strain and 23% showing no activity. The extracts of four Pseudopterogorgia species showed relatively high levels of activity. The potency of the active Pseudopterogorgia species was variable, however, and three additional Pseudopterogorgia species were inactive against all bacterial strains. Results indicate that organic extracts of most Caribbean gorgonians do not possess potent, broad-spectrum anti-bacterial activity.