Coral reefs are an integral part of many coastal communities, providing economic growth through fishing and tourism, as divers are known to travel the world in search of natural underwater treasures. These 3 famous coral reefs gained notoriety among divers early on as places with pristine ecosystems and incredible biodiversity, traits that continue to define each reef and draw millions of visitors every year.
Great Barrier Reef – Australia
The most famous coral reefs begin with the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea near Australia. With a length of 1,553 miles, or 2,500 kilometers, this reef is World Heritage listed, is the largest coral reef in the world, and is one of the natural world’s seven wonders with more than 3,000 individual reef systems. It is the only living thing on earth visible from space and is larger than the Great Wall of China. Australia is a spectacular destination where scuba divers experience spectacular sights and marine life in the colorful corals and giant kelp of the underwater forest.
Red Sea Coral Reef – Egypt
The Red Sea Coral Reef is in the Red Sea near Egypt, Israel, and Djibouti. Its length is 1,180 miles or 1,900 kilometers, and it is home to over 200 hard and soft corals. The Red Sea provides the perfect resource from which reefs are able to grow, which is warm salt water. Coral reefs are formed by calcium carbonate produced by tiny coral polyps, and reefs act as the primary source of shelter and food for fish and invertebrates. They also protect the shoreline from erosion.
New Caledonia Barrier Reef – New Caledonia
The New Caledonia Barrier Reef in the Pacific Ocean near New Caledonia is the world’s second longest of the double barrier reefs, being 1,500 kilometers or 932 miles long. New species of fish and invertebrates are discovered there on a regular basis, with at least 1,000 species already documented. These reefs are one of the main nesting sites for turtles such as the Loggerhead, Green, Hawksbill, and Leatherback. There are 23 species of marine birds, a rare crab, giant clams, 600 species of sponges, and over 350 species of algae.
