Coral bleaching is one of the most searched—and most misunderstood—topics about the Great Barrier Reef. In this video, Gareth Phillips of Reef Teach explains the facts about coral bleaching and the current state of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, based on what reef professionals are seeing on the water today. Filmed by Stuart Ireland of Calypso Reef Imagery, this is a clear, evidence-led explanation of what coral bleaching is, whether bleached coral is dead, how recovery works, whether bleaching is natural, and how to interpret media headlines such as “Is the Great Barrier Reef dead?” Both Gareth and Stuart are qualified marine biologists who work on the Great Barrier Reef year-round and are passionate about sharing accurate information to help visitors understand this extraordinary natural wonder. If you’re planning a Great Barrier Reef trip from Cairns, working in tourism or education, or simply want a reliable explainer, this video is a must-watch. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:38 What is coral bleaching? 02:01 Is bleached coral dead? 02:41 Does coral recover? 03:20 Bleaching last year? 04:14 Is bleaching natural? 05:42 Is the Great Barrier Reef dead? 07:23 Stuart Ireland