Seven Wonders of the Underwater World

In 1989, CEDAM International (Conservation, Education, Diving, Awareness, Marine Research) developed a list of seven underwater wonders in need of protection. More than twenty years later, these sites remain beacons for marine explorers and symbols of our responsibility to Earth’s beauty.

  • Palau This Pacific island nation, which became a sovereign state in 1994, gained popularity as a site of Survivor. Many of its islands are part of the same coral reef. The Rock Islands (called Chelbacheb) are also famous coral or limestone uprises. They are uninhabited and are home to the Jellyfish Lake, where millions of jellyfish migrate daily.
  • Belize Barrier Reef: About 186 miles (300 kilometers) of coral reef surround the coast of Belize. They are part of the larger, 560 mile (900 kilometer) Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The location is home to more than 500 species of fish and 100 types of coral, and researchers estimate that only 10 of the site’s species have been discovered.
  • Great Barrier Reef: The only Underwater Natural Wonder to also be on CNN’s list of Seven Natural Wonders, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system and a popular tourist attraction. It was also named a World Heritage site in 1981. Climate change is currently the greatest threat to the reef, and has caused coral bleaching along its mass. The temperature and pollution are also driving away different fish species, which affects the birds of the reef.
  • Deep-Sea Vents: These underwater fissures can be found on Mid-Ocean ridges all over the world. One of the most famous sites is the Marianas Trench. These vents are famous for the diverse life-forms which exist in their vicinity, including the Pompeii worm and the scaly-foot gastropods.
  • Galapagos Islands: The endemic species of this archipelago were famously studied by Charles Darwin, contributing to his theory of natural selection. The main threat to the islands today are introduced alien species, which have decimated local habitats. The majority of these were brought over by pirates. Illegal seal poaching and pollution are also threats facing the islands.
  • Lake Baikal: The world’s oldest and deepest lake, Lake Baikal is located in Siberia. Its clear water gives it the nickname “Pearl of Siberia.” More than 1,700 species of plants and animals reside in the region (66 endemic), along with Buryat tribes of nomadic herders
  • Northern Red Sea: This inlet is located in the Great Rift Valley and has a surface area of about 169,100 square miles (438,000 square kilometers). At its deepest point, the Sea is 7,254 feet (2,211 meters) deep.