Coral viewing experiences vary by reef type:

1.    Fringing reefs: Close to shore, often accessible from floating "bungalow" hotels.
2.    Barrier reefs: Further from coast, requiring boat tours to reach deeper lagoons.
3.    Atolls: Ring-shaped islands surrounded by reefs, typically accessed by plane or helicopter. Typically the center of the island is a lagoon.

We explored all three types during our journey to witness these beautiful ecosystems firsthand.