However, in 1842, Charles Darwin provided an explanation for their shape. Their lagoons are protected by the coral reef, creating some of the world’s most vibrant, natural aquariums.įormed over 30 million years ago, atolls were once a mysterious land formation. Their unique formation also creates the ideal habitat for hundreds of coral species and a host of other precious marine life. Since their formation relies on the building of coral reefs, atolls can only be found in warm, tropical waters such as the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The small islets are separated from each other by channels that lead from the ocean into the lagoon.Ītolls should not be confused with islands because their geographic structure is significantly different. From above, it looks like a string of sandy beaches with a shallow body of water in the middle. But what exactly is an atoll and how is it really different from an island?Īn atoll is a formation of small, coral islets (or “motu”) that encircle a lagoon, either partially or completely, making it round, oval or even sometimes horseshoe in shape. This means that Tahiti is mostly made of water! Still, the country consists of 118 islands and atolls spread out over five island groups (archipelagos). The destination itself covers over 1.5 million square miles of the South Pacific, but incredibly enough, its total landmass is only slightly larger than the small state of Rhode Island. Tahiti is not only a beautiful and exotic locale it’s also a unique natural wonder.