St. Crispin's Reef facts for kids

St. Crispin's Reef is a long, beautiful coral reef located in the famous Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. It's a special place filled with amazing marine life and is a popular spot for people who love to explore the underwater world.

Where is St. Crispin's Reef?

This reef gets its name from St. Crispin, who is the patron saint of shoemakers and leather workers in France. It is found about 35 miles (56 kilometers) away from the Queensland coast, in a part of the ocean called the Coral Sea. The reef lies at a depth of about 9 meters (30 feet).

St. Crispin's Reef is located near other reefs like Undine Reef, Agincourt Reefs, and Opal Reef. Because it's protected by these nearby reefs, St. Crispin's Reef doesn't have a typical steep reef slope. Instead, it has many shallow, sandy channels that wind around coral mounds. This unique structure makes it a fantastic home for lots of soft corals and colorful sea creatures.

Amazing Marine Life

St. Crispin's Reef is a very popular place for diving and snorkeling trips. Many people visit it from nearby towns like Port Douglas and Cairns. Divers often call this reef the "Flower Garden" because of all the vibrant life you can see there.

When you explore St. Crispin's Reef, you might spot many different kinds of fish and other marine animals. Some common residents include Sergeant majors, Sweet lips, and even reef sharks. You can also see beautiful feather stars and large bumphead parrot fish swimming among the corals.

How the Reef is Managed

The Marine Park Authority has classified St. Crispin's Reef for "Intensive use." This means that it's a popular area where many visitors are allowed to enjoy the reef. To help manage the visitors and protect the reef, there are four special places called moorings where boats can safely tie up without damaging the corals.