Pacific Atolls. We can see your mind spinning as you ponder, then search for what that means. You’ve probably heard the phrase, but perhaps haven’t had the time or the inclination to find out more. Fair enough, we’re all busy. But, the day will come where its time to close down the work laptop, leave the office once and for all, take a deep breath and then come to grips with your new life. Freedom is the word. You’ve scrimped and saved for far too long, so now is the time to turn dreams in reality. We’re here to help. We’ve been there.
One of our solemn, yet delightful missions with this site is to step aside of the everyday. There are loads of sites and YouTube channels to keep you occupied, but do they keep you engaged, curious even intrigued? We hope to be part of that decision making. This post is a perfect example. What are Pacific Atolls? A Pacific atoll is one of nature’s most fascinating geographic puzzles: it is essentially a ring-shaped coral reef that encircles a lagoon, located in the open ocean. Watch the video above, courtesy of Slice Travel.
While they look like tropical paradises from the air, they are actually the “ghosts” of ancient volcanoes. Here is a breakdown of what they are, how they work, and why they are so significant in 2026. First, here’s the science bit. In the 19th century, Charles Darwin correctly theorized how atolls form, a process that takes millions of years: The Fringing Reef: Coral begins to grow around the edges of the island in the warm, shallow water. The Sinking: Over millions of years, the heavy volcanic island begins to sink (subsidence) or the sea level rises. And finally (for now) The Barrier Reef: As the island sinks, the coral continues to grow upward toward the sunlight, creating a barrier reef with a lagoon between the reef and the shrinking island. What makes them unique makes them interesting, enough for you to ponder visiting. The Pacific Ocean contains the majority of the world’s atolls. Notable examples include: Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati: The largest atoll in the world by land area. Kwajalein, Marshall Islands: One of the world’s largest coral lagoons. Bikini Atoll: Famous (and tragic) for being the site of US nuclear testing in the 1940s and 50s.
When you travel, choose World Nomads for insurance that you can trust. Click here
Our affiliate partners, Expedia has Flights, cars, trips, adventures and more. Book your fun Click here