Worlds Most Beautiful Reefs

The World's Most Beautiful Reefs

By: nobert bermosa

Explore five of the world's most captivating and panoramic reefs.

1. Red Sea Reef : Egypt/Israel/Jordan/Saudi Arabia/United Arab Emirates/Yemen

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This majestic reef system is one of the most beautiful reefs in the world. The Red Sea is a rich and diverse ecosystem

with more than 1,100 species of fish recorded, around 10% of these are found nowhere else. The rich diversity is in part

due to the 1,240 miles of coral reef extending along its coastline; these fringing reefs are 5,000-7,000 years old and are

largely formed of stony acropora and porites corals. The reefs form platforms and lagoons along the coast and,

occasionally, other features such as cylinders.

2.     Tubbataha Reef Marine Park: Philippines

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One site you shouldn't skip on the list when you go scuba diving is Tubbataha Reef. Tubbataha Reef, one of the best

tourist and diving spots in the Philippines, is popular the world over for its spectacular underwater scenery. It is famous

for its diverse marine life. Tubbataha Reef Marine Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to some of the

most beautiful coral reefs in the world. Tubbataha Reef is considered the best place for snorkeling and diving in Asia.

Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta

rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.

The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 33,200 ha, including the North and South Reefs. It is a unique example of an

atoll reef with a very high density of marine species. The North Islet is serving as a nesting site for birds and marine

turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive

lagoons and two coral islands. No wonder it is currently ranked number 5 on the list for the search for the New 7

Wonders of the world.

3. Belize Barrier Reef: Belize

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Another place that is worth visiting is the beautiful Belize Barrier Reef. This coral reef system is the second largest in

the world, stretching from southern Quintana Roo, Mexico and all along the coast of Belize down to the Bay Islands of

Honduras. It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Belize Barrier Reef is home to one of the most important ecosystems in the world. The reef system has 70 hard coral

species, 36 soft coral species, 500 species of fish and hundreds of invertebrate species. It extends for some 300 km,

making it the second longest coral reef system in the world, next to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This site attracts

250,000 of tourists every year.

4. Apo Reef National Park: Philippines

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After diving in Tubbataha Reef proceed to Apo Reef for more adventure and underwater panoramic views. Apo Reef

National Park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is acclaimed as one of the best diving sites in Asia. This

magnificent underwater scenery is a 34-kilometer reef, with a narrow channel running east to west, dividing this reef

into two lagoon systems - north and south. Apo Reef is the second largest contiguous coral reef in the world and the

largest one in the Philippines.

5. Great Barrier Reef: Australia

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Great Barrier Reef is the most spectacular coral reef system in the world. Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef

system in the world. It is located in Queensland, Australia. This site was also declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage

Site.

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It is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,600 kilometers (1,600 mi) over an area

of approximately 344,400 sq km (133,000 sq mi). This coral reef system can be seen from outer space and is the

world's biggest single structure made by living organisms. It also supports a wide diversity of life. This reef structure

is composed of and built by billions of tiny organisms, known as coral polyps.

Hope you enjoyed this. Thank you!

For more unique and beautiful tourist attractions from around the world see the ff;

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The World’s Most Attractive Atolls

The Top Five Best Beaches in the World

20 Spectacular Natural and Man-made Wonders From Around the World

Earth’s Amazing Landscape: Natural Wonders Worth Seeing

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