Priyanka Roshan | November 18, 2025

The 10 Countries With the Largest Coral Reef Areas

Coral reefs are nature’s underwater treasures, thriving only in warm, shallow, tropical waters. Their vibrant ecosystems support countless marine species, drawing divers and explorers to these colorful underwater paradises worldwide.

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In 2001, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) mapped global coral reefs using satellite imaging. Despite climate change and bleaching, it highlights the 10 countries with the largest reef areas worldwide.

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Indonesia boasts the world’s largest coral reef area. Its 17,000 islands, including Raja Ampat and Bali, reveal kaleidoscopic reefs brimming with diverse marine life, perfect for diving and unforgettable underwater adventures.

1. Indonesia – 51,020 sq km

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Home to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia offers over 2,300 kilometers of coral wonder. Its UNESCO World Heritage reefs feature vibrant corals, tropical fish, and ecosystems that awe divers globally.

2. Australia – 48,960 sq km

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The Philippines’ 7,000 islands host stunning coral reefs. Palawan and Tubbataha Reefs feature colorful coral gardens, rare species, and thriving marine ecosystems, attracting snorkelers and divers seeking unforgettable underwater beauty.

3. Philippines – 25,060 sq km

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France’s overseas territories, especially New Caledonia, harbor massive coral reefs. Its expansive lagoons are vibrant, visible from space, and teem with marine life, offering remote and pristine diving destinations for explorers.

4. France – 14,280 sq km

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Papua New Guinea features untouched, remote coral reefs. Soft corals, rich biodiversity, and colorful marine species make its reefs ideal for adventurous divers seeking spectacular, largely undiscovered underwater ecosystems.

5. Papua New Guinea 13,840 sq km

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Known as the Soft Coral Capital, Fiji’s reefs glow with vibrant colors. Coral walls, lagoons, and drop-offs create a magical playground for snorkelers and divers exploring tropical underwater landscapes.

6. Fiji – 10,020 sq km

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The Maldives’ turquoise lagoons and overwater villas hide extraordinary coral reefs. Home to manta rays, whale sharks, and tropical fish, these reefs offer idyllic snorkeling and diving experiences in warm, clear waters.

7. Maldives – 8,920 sq km

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Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline features pristine coral reefs. Clear waters, dramatic drop-offs, and abundant marine life make these emerging dive spots exciting for explorers and eco-conscious travelers.

8. Saudi Arabia – 6,660 sq km

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Remote and serene, the Marshall Islands’ reefs remain largely untouched. Atolls and coral gardens provide sanctuary for marine life, offering divers and eco-travelers extraordinary, unspoiled underwater experiences.

9. Marshall Islands 6,110 sq km

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India’s reefs, mainly in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, showcase rich biodiversity. Vibrant corals and tropical marine life make these reefs a remarkable underwater destination for explorers.

10. India – 5,790 sq km

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