Measurement and analysis of spectral features of ground objects is the theory basis of coral reefs remote sensing, and can be used as a basis for quantitative and qualitative research of coral reefs using remote sensing. In this paper, Pocillopora verrucosa, a common coral in Lu Huitou sea area in Sanya Bay in the northwestern South China Sea, was used to measure the reflectance spectrum using a fiber spectrometer. The spectral difference between healthy and bleached Pocillopora verrucosa was studied by reflectance spectrum and derivative spectroscopy. The results showed that the characteristic peak value appeared at around 580, 604.7, 647 nm, with significant trough being at 669 nm on the health Pocillopora verrucosa reflectance spectrum; bleached Pocillopora verrucosa reflectance spectrum was significantly higher than that of healthy coral reflectance spectrum, the reflectance spectrum waveform was gentle relatively, and there were relatively weak trough at the wavelength of 663 nm. Derivative spectroscopy was then used to conclude that the main distinguishable bands of healthy and bleached Pocillopora verrucosa. Reflectance spectral derivative analysis results showed that healthy bleached Pocillopora verrucosa has some distinguishing band, and the main distinguishing bands are as follows: first derivative regions, 404～425, 456～466, 513～532, 563～568 and 661～667 nm; second derivative regions, 408～420, 542～556, 563～573, 615～634 and 687～695 nm; fourth derivative regions, 402～418, 466～472, 478～481, 617～622 and 684～689 nm.