About Ningaloo Reef: Ningaloo is one of the few big reefs you can reach by swimming from the beach. Whale sharks, the largest fish on Earth, visit Ningaloo every year. Unlike a barrier reef, a fringing reef grows right against the shore. Every year, the world's biggest fish the whale shark — gathers here to feed

Location: The Coral Coast of Western Australia · Size: About 260 km (160 mi) long · Type: A fringing reef that hugs the shore · Country: Australia · Marine Life: Famous for whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles · Notable Feature: You can swim out to the reef straight from the beach · Formation: Built by coral right up against the coastline · Protection: A UNESCO World Heritage Site · World Rank: One of the largest fringing reefs in the world