23 beautiful photos of the Great Barrier Reef, which was just named the best place to visit in the world

Looking for an exotic, once-in-a-lifetime getaway? Australia's Great Barrier Reef might be just the place.

Famous for its unparalleled natural diversity, the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, and it's the only living thing on Earth that's visible from space.

Adding to its many accolades, the Great Barrier Reef was recently named the world's best place to visit in a ranking by US News and World Report. The ranking was based on a methodology that combined travelers' opinions with expert analysis. They considered 250 vacation destinations to make the final list.

These breathtaking photos will show why the Great Barrier Reef earned the top spot.