Fringing reef (close to shore)

A fringing reef is a coral structure that grows right next to the land. These reefs stay attached to the coastline without a deep lagoon in between. You see them often in places like Koh Tao or parts of Cebu. They usually sit in shallow water between 3 m and 15 m deep. Because they are so close to the beach, they face high wave energy. This can break coral if the storm season is rough. I once saw a reef in Anilao lose 20% of its cover after a heavy monsoon. Watch your buoyancy here. Beginners often hit the bottom because the slope is very steep. Keep your eyes on the surge so that you do not crash into the reef.