Montgomery Reef facts for kids
Montgomery Reef on a late autumn afternoon.
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Indian Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°59′36″S 124°14′23″E / 15.99333°S 124.23972°E |
| Administration | |
| State | Western Australia |
| Reef | Montgomery Reef |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
Montgomery Reef is a huge natural wonder located off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia. It is known as the world's largest inshore reef, covering about 400 square kilometers. This amazing reef is famous for its unique tides that create stunning waterfalls and reveal a hidden world of lagoons and islands.
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Exploring Montgomery Reef
Montgomery Reef is a massive reef system. It stretches for about 80 kilometers (50 miles). It is found at the southwestern end of Camden Sound. The reef surrounds an island called Yawajaba (Montgomery) Island.
The reef is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the mainland coast. It is opposite Doubtful Bay and Collier Bay. This special area is part of the Camden Sound Marine Park. This park was created in 2012 and covers a huge area of over 7,000 square kilometers.
How Montgomery Reef Got Its Name
The first European to see this reef and island was Phillip Parker King in 1818. He was exploring the area on his ship, the HMS Mermaid. King decided to name the island after his ship's surgeon, Andrew Montgomery.
The Magic of the Tides
What makes Montgomery Reef truly special is its incredible tidal range. The difference between high tide and low tide can be as much as 10 meters (33 feet)! This is a very big change in water level.
When the tide goes out, a hidden world appears. Vast lagoons, sandy islets, and even a central mangrove island are revealed. The water rushing out forms strong currents, creating what looks like a river cutting through the reef. Hundreds of small waterfalls cascade down the exposed reef edges. At its lowest, more than 4 meters (13 feet) of the reef can be seen above the water.
Who Lives on the Reef?
The changing tides at Montgomery Reef create a perfect feeding ground for many animals. As the water flows out, it attracts a variety of creatures.
You can often see migratory wading birds looking for food. Turtles, manta rays, and black tipped reef sharks come to feed. Even gentle dugongs, which are marine mammals, visit the area.
Visiting Montgomery Reef
Montgomery Reef is a very popular place for tourists. Many cruise operators visit the reef daily. People come to witness the amazing tidal waterfalls and see the diverse marine life. It's a truly unique natural spectacle.
