Coral reefs are a crucial ecosystem on Earth that provides food, shelter, and breeding grounds for millions of animal species, protects coastlines from erosion, and creates jobs for local communities. Yet today, coral reefs are dying at an alarming rate all around the globe because of extreme threats such as pollution, global warming, and destructive fishing practices. So, we had to ask: What is the most important information you need to know about this year’s World Reef Day?

👉 Official Name: World Reef Day
💚 Cause: Raise awareness of threats affecting coral reefs and advance environmental protection
📅 Next Date: June 1, 2026
🌐 Official Website: www.worldreefday.org
🐦 Hashtag: #WorldReefDay, #WorldReefAwarenessDay, #ProtectOurReefs

Keep on reading to find out all the important information about World Reef Day at a glance: its big picture, why it’s important, and how you can get involved. We’ll then share its brief history, three interesting facts about it, its future dates, and how you’ll never miss any important awareness event again.

The Most Important Information About World Reef Day at a Glance

1️⃣ The big picture: World Reef Day, also called World Reef Awareness Day, is a call to action for consumers, businesses, and organizations to reflect on the delicate ecosystem of our oceans’ coral reefs. The day brings together the general public, influencers, and opinion leaders to create active change through education and direct engagement. In addition, it encourages individuals worldwide to make simple yet powerful steps to improve the health of marine ecosystems.

2️⃣ Why it is important: Despite occupying less than 1% of the earth’s surface, coral reef ecosystems are home to 25% of known marine species and are found in 100 countries. Also, one billion people – 13% of the world’s population – live in coastal regions near coral reefs and are dependent on reefs for their livelihoods, from fisheries and tourism to other marine industries. Unfortunately, over 50% of reefs have died in the last 30 years and up to 90% may die by 2030, with 75% of them already threatened with extinction. Environmental stresses are the main causes of this, such as climate change, overfishing, industrial debris, and plastic pollution. And without reefs, the oceans’ health – and our own – can be at risk.

3️⃣ How you can get involved: You can take part in World Reef Day by minimizing your plastic use, participating in beach cleanups, or reducing your environmental pollution:

1. Limit Plastic Use: Given that 81% of all marine litter is plastic, it is crucial to reduce our plastic-based purchases, especially single-use plastics, and always recycle them. Plastic pollution is seriously damaging reefs, so opt for non-plastic alternatives and advocate for more eco-friendly business practices. 
2. Clean It Yourself!: There are lots of beach cleanups during this event, so gather your friends and join the nearest one or do a solo cleanup. This experience can also make you more aware of the level of debris affecting our reefs and inspire you to make lasting changes. 
3. Minimize Pollution: Reflect on all the ways that your lifestyle affects and supports reef extinction, such as climate change, unethical fishing, or toxic waste. You can start making small and mindful steps to reduce your impact on reef damage. 

Below are our favorite charities that are relevant for World Reef Day:

• Best Charities for Protecting Coral Reefs
• Best Charities for Marine Conservation
• Best Charities to Save Our Oceans
• Best Charities That Help Clean Up Our Oceans
• Best Charities for Climate Change

A Brief History of World Reef Day

When was this event established: World Reef Day was founded in 2019 by Raw Elements USA, a certified-natural sunscreen company that has pioneered the reef-safe movement with their non-nano zinc oxide-based sunscreens. They established this event to inform the world about the importance of our reefs and how we can protect them. In the same year, the Registrar of the National Day Calendar proclaimed World Reef Day to be observed on June 1 annually.

How has it developed since then: Today, World Reef Day remains the largest educational activity Raw Elements USA has carried out. Throughout the years, they collaborated with environmental organizations such as Oceanic Global, Coral Gardeners, and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii to share insight into practical steps to save our reefs. In addition, they have partnered with sustainable tourism advocates, surfing experts, and ocean scientists to urge the public to take action to protect reefs. 

3 Interesting Facts About World Reef Day

1. Climate Change: Shifts in ocean temperatures cause algae that live in corals to leave due to stress, in a process called bleaching. Without the algae – their food source – the corals become more susceptible to decay and turn white since the algae also give them their vibrant color. Ironically, healthy reefs could themselves be the solution to climate change, being carbon sinks and storing CO2 50 times more efficiently than forests.
2. Wondrous Reef: The Western World discovered the Great Barrier Reef in 1770, which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The earliest record of the Great Barrier Reef is from 600,000 years ago, and Aboriginal Peoples have been linked with and cared for it since time immemorial. Today, it supports over 60,000 jobs with an economic value of $56 billion.
3. Animals, Actually: Despite being mistaken for plants, corals are animals that consume a variety of plankton species by growing stinging cells to catch and eat their prey. In addition, corals in the larval life stage can also swim! They ride ocean currents and when they find a suitable place to live, they swim down and attach themselves to the ocean floor to grow into a new coral colony.

Upcoming Dates of World Reef Day

World Reef Day is observed every year on June 1.