Protecting the reefs has become a way of life for the people living on the Caribbean islands as they have seen the damage done from overfishing, spilled boat fuel from recreational boating activities and they are now trying to protect their beaches from further damage.
Antigua, one of the Caribbean islands, has beautiful beaches surrounded with coral reefs and is home to hundreds of varieties of fish, endangered species of turtle and coral. Antiguan beaches are amongst the most beautiful in the world and are sheltered by the nearby Paradise reef, just north of Dickensen bay, which is a one-mile-long reef, popular for snorkelers and beach combers. Beaches are lined with palm trees and small chalets used for tourist accommodation.
The coast of Africa, particularly the east coast has scattered coral reefs, which attract tourists and reef-fishing expeditions all year-round. Zanzibar is one of the most famous east African coral-reef resorts. The Pwani Mchangani beach in Zanzibar, a slice of paradise, features long, white, sandy beaches protected by the reef and stretching along 50 miles of the coastline. Coconut palms line Misali Beach at Pemba Island has an untouched reef with coral walls and coral strewn reef slopes that offer a spectacular sightseeing and diving experience.
Off the southern coast of Phuket in Thailand are many small uninhabited islands with beautiful coral beaches. Protected by the scattered reefs, the waters are teeming with reef fish, hard and soft corals and other rare marine life. The reefs are close to the islands' beaches, where the water is shallow enough to swim or wade through to look at the magnificent corals and marine wildlife.
Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, which is the largest stretch of coral reef in the world. Covering 350,000 square kilometers, the largest world heritage area, it features beautiful, white, sandy beaches stretching for 1100 km and consisting of 3,000 individual reef systems and coral cays offering some of the best coral snorkeling in the world.
Situated on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island is one of the 74 Whitsunday Islands offering pristine beaches, coral reef snorkeling and diving and leisure cruises through the waters of the reef. The beaches have white sands, sheltered coves and palm trees creating a tropical paradise holiday setting for visitors.
Mission beach is the closest beach on the mainland to the Great Barrier Reef and has untouched rain forest that is also a national park. This is a great place from which to explore the reefs, enjoy the rain forest and walk along the white sandy beaches scattered with colorful shells.
