Great Barrier Reef coral, Gardens Bloom under the Sea.

The Great Barrier Reef coral a kaleidoscope of colours, shapes and patterns.  With approximately 3000 coral reefs making the GBR the largest coral reef ecosystem.

The variety of coral formations found at the Great Barrier Reef caused thousands to flock to the reef year after year.

The amazing varieties of coral are unlike those found anywhere else in the world.

The abundance of coral formations is home to a diversity of marine life, which you’ll see plenty swimming around the coral gardens.

Although the coral reefs are known for their beauty, few know the Great Barrier Reef’s coral is actually living animals.

The types of coral in the Great Barrier Reef are commonly thought to be rocks and seaweed, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Coral actually consists of thousands of tiny polyps, allowing them to grow in different shapes and sizes. For coral to thrive, zooxanthellae are needed, which is algae. It’s also responsible for giving coral its vibrant colours.

Fun Facts

A little known fact about coral is that it belongs to the same family as jellyfish and sea anemones.

parrotfish

Parrotfish are beautiful but tough on the reef as they dig at the coral with their parrot beak-shaped mouths.  Entering in as stony coral and out as pure white sand.

Hard Corals

Although hard coral may look like many rocks, they are actually hard limestone skeletons, forming the foundations of coral reefs, such as brain coral, staghorn coral and luna coral.

Soft corals

Soft corals are often mistaken for plants, but they grow on top of hard coral and don’t build them.

Common soft coral varieties found in the Great Barrier Reef include elephant ear coral and weeping coral.

Whitsunday Islands

Coral formed along a coastline, such as those at Whitsunday Islands, is known as a fringing reef. Simultaneously, those that grow parallel to the shoreline are known as a barrier reef because of the barrier-like formation they make.

Currently, more than 2000 reefs are making up the Great Barrier Reef.

Each Great Barrier Reef coral formation has its own name and a certain shape.

The unique corals date back to more than 15,000 years ago during the Ice Age.

The reef has become a huge attraction throughout time as it’s bustling with rare sea life and unmatched beauty.

The coral reefs are constantly changing and developing, with many different varieties, shapes and colours.

Several animals find refuge in the coral gardens, from fish and clams to starfish and turtles.

You’ll even find sharks and whales swimming near the coral formations.

The Great Barrier Reef coral is a highlight of any trip to the reef system.

The coral reef’s colours and uniqueness are the main reason thousands visit the reef year and year.

Coral Reproduction

Great Barrier Reef Coral
Coral Spawning

A spectacular annual mass spawning is the start of the life cycle of coral

The process is known as ‘broadcast spawning’ occurs for between 2 and 6 days after the full moon in late November early December on the Cairns outer reefs in North Queensland

It’s a spectacular annual mass spawning when coral polyps simultaneously release eggs and sperm into the water shortly after sunset

The Great Barrier Reef is outstandingly beautiful. It really is something that .you should not miss.