20 interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef

Veröffentlicht: 15. Juli 2022, 10:44 Uhr

Aktualisiert: 09. Juni 2025, 22:50 Uhr

Von: wom87

We share the most interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef, which we collected during our one -week visit

We have all seen pictures of the Great Barrier Reef: a pearl chain made of reef and lagoons that shine in all conceivable shades of blue. This natural wonder in Australia is teeming with life.

The marine animals range from microscopic plankton to whales with a weight of 100 tons. It is a frenzy of colors, a carnival of life. Clown fish with bright orange curben next to bright blue fishing. It's a real spectacle - but what exactly is the Great Barrier Reef? Is it really bigger than Italy and can it really be seen from space?

We share the most interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef, which we have collected with small ships during a week on our expedition.

interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure in the world. It consists of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands. (Source: National Geographic, BBC)

alt = “Interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef: It is the largest living structure of the world”> Dream time The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure in the world

The Great Barrier Reef extends over 2,000 km (1,250 miles) from north to south and covers a total of around 135,000 square miles (350,000 square kilometers). This is larger than Italy and almost as big as Germany. (Source: Britannica, Cia World Factbook)
One of the most beautiful and interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef is that astronauts can see it from space. (Source: NASA)
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The others are Aurora Borealis, the port of Rio de Janeiro, Grand Canyon, Mount Everest, the Vulkan Paricutin and the Victoria Falls. (Source: Guardian)
Coral polyps - usually not larger than a rice grain - are the basic building blocks of the Great Barrier Reef. These tiny colonial animals contain a symbiotic algae in their cells. While the algae operates photosynthesis, each polyp, which is refueled, outputs a “house” made of calcium carbonate. One house is lined up with the other and the colony expands like a city. Other marine animals access and help to combine all parts and thereby grow the reef. (Link: National Geographic)

alt = “Escape Reef is one of the best diving sites in the Great Barrier Reef”> Atlas & Boots Many healthy and colorful corals are exhibited in the escape reef

The Great Barrier Reef is ancient. Parts of it are up to 20 million years old. (Source: BBC)
reefs only grow about 1.3 cm per year. (Source: National Geographic)
The Great Barrier Reef is the home of a variety of animals, including 1,625 fish species, 1,400 coral reef species, more than 3,000 types of molluscs, six of the world's seven types of sea turtles worldwide, 133 types of sharks and rays and 30 types of whales and dolphins. (Source: GbRMPa)
Dugongs, also known as the nautical corner, are threatened worldwide. The Great Barrier Reef has 11,000 of them and is the world's largest and most important refuge for Dugong. (Source: GbRMPa, BBC)

alt = “Interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef Dugong”> Dream time dugongs are threatened worldwide

The Great Barrier Reef is the home of the cubes, the most dangerous marine animal for humans. His stitch is so painful that human sacrifices are known to suffer and drown a shock or drown or die from heart failure before they even reach the shore. (Source: GbRMPa, National Geographic)
In 2012, Google started the very first underwater street View at the Great Barrier Reef. (Source: Google)
One of the most spectacular events at the Great Barrier Reef is the annual synchronized spawning of corals. The mass spawning resembles an underwater snow storm and sees colonies of coral polyps, which at the same time release billions of tiny eggs and sperm bundle into the water. This synchronicity - the scientists still not fully understand - is crucial because the "snowstorm" increases the likelihood of fertilization. (Source: GbRMPa, NOAA)
The Great Barrier Reef is a big attraction for tourists with around two million visitors per year. (Source: National Geographic)

alt = “The Great Barrier Reef attracts 2 million visitors annually”> Atlas & Boots The Great Barrier Reef attracts 2 million visitors every year

The Great Barrier Reef has an average depth of 35 m in his coastal waters, while the continental slopes on the outer reefs extend to depths of more than 2,000 m. (Source: GbRMPa)
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. (Source: UNESCO)
One of the less known interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef is that it houses one of the largest wildlife wrecks on earth. The SS Yongala is a 100 meter long passenger ship that sank into the lagoon in 1911 and developed into a lively fish protection area and a hotspot for divers at a depth of 30 meters. (Source: The Guardian)
European research of the area began in 1770 when the British explorer Captain James Cook ran his ship, the Endeavour, at the Great Barrier Reef. After weapons and supplies were thrown off to make the ship easier, the crew managed to free it. (Source: Britannica)

alt = "Interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef in Australia"> Atlas & Boots The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure of the planet

One of the sobering interesting facts about the Great Barrier Reef is that it has suffered a number of mass bleaches, a process that can kill corals. It is caused by a number of factors, including climate change, poor water quality, coastal development and overfishing. (Source: Great Barrier Reef Foundation)
In 2016, the Outside Magazine published an obituary for the Great Barrier Reef in order to draw attention to its emergency. Scientists said that the claims were meant well, but undermined the efforts to protect the riff, including citizen scientist programs, reef protection projects and sustainable tourism, which financed the protection. (Source: Outside)
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority charges a tourist tax of $ 6.50 per person per day to finance the maintenance efforts. It also leads a list of tourism providers with a high standard to encourage visitors to choose responsible companies. (Source: GbRMPa)

Alt = "Protection of the Great Barrier Reef Coral Expeditions"> Atlas & Boots Coral Expeditions are certified by Ecotourism Australia

Visit to the Great Barrier Reef: The essentials

Was: Visiting the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

WO: We visited the Great Barrier Reef with Coral Expeditions, the only reef -wide provider, which was awarded a high standard by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Our cabin on the upper deck was extremely comfortable and surprisingly spacious with lots of storage space and a breathtaking sea view.

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Atlas & Boots

aperitifs were served on the upper deck and the meals were taken in the dining room of the lower deck, where chef Mark Festmahle prepared for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as morning and afternoon tea.

The maximum capacity of 44 guests (ours 22) ensures an excellent camaraderie and atmosphere, which is reinforced by a delightful crew. Overall, it is a wonderful way to explore the Great Barrier Reef.

When: The best time to visit the Great Barrier Reef is from July to October due to good visibility and little rain and wind.

like: We have connected Coral Expeditions for a 7-night expedition from Cairns to Hinchinbrook Island, Lizard Island and back to Cairns.

The prices start at 3,680 AUD ($ 2,720) per person and include all meals, tea and coffee, snorkeling equipment and wetsuits, snorkeling excursions, guided trips with the glass floor boat, presentations of marine biologists, access to islands, sea parks and national parks, in introduction to the diving skills for initial divers Cairns or to Cairns Airport. The prices do not include dives ($ 80 AUD / $ 60 per person, per dive) or Stinger Suits. Note that there is no internet access on board.

expeditions start and return to the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. Before the departure, you will receive instructions for getting in that you are worth reading, since taxi drivers do not always know exactly where to go.

Cairns itself can be reached by car from Hertz Australia, by bus from Greyhound Australia or by plane to Cairn Airport. Book domestic or foreign flights via Skyscanner at the best prices.

Lonely Planet Australia is a comprehensive travel guide for the country, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take less busy roads.

disclosure: We explored the Great Barrier Reef with the support of Coral Expeditions. All publications say that, but we really don't guarantee positive reporting. We say what we think - good and bad - so that you can make sound decisions with honest advice.