How to Use barrier reef in a Sentence

barrier reef

noun
  • Explore one of the world’s largest barrier reefs.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Many slept on the beach, lulled by the sound of waves breaking on the ‘hard rocks’ that formed a barrier reef.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The hotel sits along the world’s second-largest barrier reef.
    — Mariette Williams, Essence, 13 Oct. 2023
  • The two of them share a lagoon and are encircled by one barrier reef.
    — Maggie Shipstead, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2023
  • What is the value of reefs such as the local barrier reef in Belize?
    — Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 28 June 2022
  • Belize is home to the world's second largest barrier reef, so be sure to go snorkeling to view the coral and marine life.
    — Claire Trageser, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2020
  • The barrier reef is a living thing that’s under constant pressure from humans.
    — Graham Averill, Outside Online, 7 May 2022
  • Grace Bay Beach offers soft white sand, calm seas, and an extensive barrier reef.
    — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2023
  • Coral barrier reefs protect beaches and uplands.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
  • It's blessed with empty beaches and ultra-fine sands, its turquoise waters revealing one of the world's largest barrier reefs.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The breadth of the barrier reef and the sheer volume of islands that stretch across it make Belize an open-water paddler’s dream.
    — Graham Averill, Outside Online, 7 May 2022
  • It's blessed with empty beaches and ultra-fine sands, its turquoise waters revealing one of the world's largest barrier reefs.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 7 Jan. 2026
  • It's blessed with empty beaches and ultra-fine sands, its turquoise waters revealing one of the world's largest barrier reefs.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2026
  • This tropical paradise is also home to the world's third-largest barrier reef, blue holes, ocean caves, and miles of untouched beaches.
    — Judy Koutsky, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2023
  • Seawater cold enough to cool the entire Brando complex comes from the ocean beyond the barrier reef.
    — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, 20 Sep. 2017
  • Over time, the volcanic mountain began eroding and sinking, but the barrier reef and lagoon kept growing.
    — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Anini Beach in Kauai, which is protected from waves by a long stretch of barrier reef, is an exception.
    — Heather Murphy, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2022
  • An offshore barrier reef helps keep the beach's water gentle and calm and also makes for an exciting snorkeling spot.
    — Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
  • And the waters were calm because of the protective barrier reef encircling the islands.
    — Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2022
  • Also, for the adventure seekers, the diving and snorkeling here is world class and home to the world’s second largest barrier reef.
    — Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 31 July 2019
  • Known for powdery white sand and an off-coast barrier reef, Gray Bay Beach is easy to access for any traveler.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The Cook Islands are an atoll, and the barrier reef is what protects the island from giant waves coming from very deep water.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 14 May 2021
  • In 2018, Chachamovits moved to Florida to be closer to the third-largest barrier reef in the world.
    — Vogue, 30 Nov. 2021
  • The most popular tourist spot is the island of Ambergris Caye, which is about a half-mile from the world’s second-largest barrier reef.
    — Kevin Brass, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2018
  • Reef-forming corals prefer shallow water so, as the world’s sea levels have yo-yoed during the Ice Ages, the barrier reef has come and gone.
    — The Economist, 31 May 2018
  • Florida has the third-longest barrier reef system in the world that is known as the Florida Reef Tract.
    — Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 23 Sep. 2021
  • Turks and Caicos boasts a large barrier reef, measuring about 340 miles long, and both Hall and Whitt have it on their must-do lists.
    — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Among success stories, the agency cites the example of the barrier reefs in Belize, which were added to the list in 2009.
    — Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2023
  • Andros is one of largest islands in the country, and this uncrowded spot is home to the world's third largest barrier reef, blue hole ocean caves, and over 90 miles of pristine beaches.
    — Judy Koutsky, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2023
  • Thanks to the barrier reef protecting much of the southern coastline, paddle boarding and diving are best off that side, with still waters that are crystal clear thanks to the white sand bottom.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barrier reef.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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