Co-management of coastal and marine resources in the Caribbean appears advanced in contrast with other regions. This makes a comparative study of the causes and special characteristics of the region interesting. This is done first by reviewing local level community based coastal resource management project in select locations in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world and second, by discussing these from the macro level point of view of knowledge management. Assessment of local management practices is done from the point of view of community based natural resource management (CBNRM) understood as management of natural resources using a detailed plan developed and agreed to by all concerned stakeholders. The approach is community based in that the communities managing the resources have the legal rights, the local institutions, and the economic incentives to take substantial responsibility for sustained use of these resources. Under the natural resource management plan, communities become the primary implementers, assisted and monitored by technical and other services located in the public sector.