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9 of the Most Famous Coral Reefs in the World

9 of the Most Famous Coral Reefs in the World

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on December 13, 2019
a rich coral reef pierced by sunlight

Thousands of dazzling coral reefs abound in oceans worldwide. But there are a few reefs that are well-known for their location and beauty. These destinations have become popular coral reef diving spots, too

So if you’ve always wanted to explore one of these incredible sights, we’ve listed down nine well-known corals reefs you could add to your bucket list.

The World’s Most Popular Coral Reefs

diver swimming over a vibrant coral formation in the Red Sea Coral Reef
Image via Shutterstock
  • Great Barrier Reef
  • Belize Barrier Reef
  • Palancar Reef
  • Raja Ampat
  • Grand Central Station and Chimneys
  • Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
  • Bonaire Reef
  • Red Sea Coral Reef
  • New Caledonia Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef most famous coral reef in the world
Image via Shutterstock

Known as the world’s largest coral reef, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef spans over 1,400 miles (2,300 kilometers). Over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands make up this vast, interconnected reef.

The Great Barrier Reef hosts at least 300 species of hard coral and various sea creatures, such as anemones, worms, gastropods, and lobsters. A wide variety of fishes and birds live here as well.

This incredible underwater paradise is part of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has also become a popular tourist destination, attracting scores of local and international travelers each year.

Belize Barrier Reef

Belize Barrier Reef most famous coral reef in the world
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The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef in the world and the largest reef in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. It extends over 180 miles (290 kilometers) along Belize’s Caribbean coast.

This reef features 106 coral species (both hard and soft) and houses 500 fish species. You can also spot some rare and endangered animals here. The Belize Barrier Reef hosts the world’s largest population of West Indian manatees. Other common residents include sea turtles, red-footed boobies and other seabirds, and 350 mollusk species.

The Belize Barrier Reef also features the Great Blue Hole. It’s a sinkhole that’s widely considered to be one of the best diving spots in the world The Great Blue Hole is near the center of Lighthouse Reef, which is the reef system’s easternmost part.

Palancar Reef

Often described as “the underwater Garden of Eden,” this coral reef in Mexico’s Cozumel island boasts flora and fauna in different colors. It has an impressive array of corals that house seahorses, butterflyfish, sea fans, and more aquatic species. Some endemic species live here as well, including toadfish, giant anemones, and fire coral.

Palancar’s vibrant colors and exotic fish are a breathtaking sight for visitors to enjoy. The reef is also a great vacation spot that you can explore throughout the year since Cozumel has warm weather.

Raja Ampat

corals in shallow water in Raja Ampat most famous coral reef in the world
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Indonesia’s Raja Ampat boasts the largest coral reef biodiversity based on its size. This well-known coral reef has 450 species of reef-building coral. And to add to its uniqueness and diversity, it houses 1,508 fish species and 537 coral species. Raja Ampat also boasts lots of notable diving destinations, including the following:

  • Manta Point
  • Mike’s Point
  • Sardine Reef
  • Shark Point

Grand Central Station & Chimneys

Fiji features some of the world’s best dive sites and is known as the world’s “soft coral capital”. The Grand Central Station and Chimneys Reefs are popular diving spots here. Exotic seagrass, sponges, and around 400 soft coral species cover this spectacular reef. Giant mangrove forests thrive here, too.

The Grand Central Station and Chimneys are home to plenty of marine creatures, including manta rays, snappers, tuna, and gray and white-tip reef sharks.

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

corals in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park most famous coral reefs in the world
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Tubbataha’s underwater landscape is incredible, with colorful corals and marine life everywhere. Two atolls make up this amazing reef; they boast 600 fish species and 360 coral species.

Tubbataha also has 11 shark species, 13 dolphin and whale species, and an abundance of birds. You can also spot Hawksbill and green sea turtles swimming here. These creatures only prove how diverse this Philippine national park is.

In 1993, UNESCO declared Tubbataha a World Heritage Site. Its pristine reef, extensive lagoons, and two coral lagoons helped the area gain this distinction.

Bonaire Reef

fishes swimming above corals in Bonaire Reef most famous coral reef in the world
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Bonaire Reef (also known as “The Diver’s Paradise”) lies in the Dutch Caribbean. It features multi-colored corals in a breathtaking display. They come in bright blue, green, yellow, purple, and pink hues. But the corals aren’t the only attractions here: Bonaire also has crystal-clear waters.

Angelfish, groupers, sea turtles, and seahorses are just some of the aquatic species that can be found in Bonaire Reef.

Red Sea Coral Reef

corals and fishes in the Red Sea most famous coral reef in the world
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Sitting between the Sahara and Arabian deserts, the Red Sea Coral Reef is a breathtaking underwater world that spans about 1,200 miles. It has 300 species of hard coral and around 1,200 fish species. The reef is also resilient, as it can withstand a variety of elements, including extreme temperature changes.

New Caledonia Barrier Reef

aerial view of the New Caledonia Barrier Reef most famous coral reef in the world
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The last reef in our world-famous reef list is the second-largest double barrier reef in the world. It features a variety of marine life, such as the green turtles and 1,000 species of fish. This double-barrier reef boasts the third-largest dugong population in the world.

The New Caledonia Barrier Reef’s natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and stunning coral reefs have made it one of the famous reefs in the world today. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name “The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems.” The reef has several dive sites as well, which makes it a great destination for scuba divers.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro