The GBR is actually comprised of 2 reef systems. The outer reef is mostly underwater and marked only by a line of surf breaking and can be seen from the shore opposite Cape York Pennisula, the following the edge of the continental shelf 350 kilometers off the coast. The inner reef rises from the floor of a large lagoon and consists of haphazzard coral growths. There are also reported to be over 2000 major reefs that are included in the GBR. Many a ship have come to their demise throughout the GBR. There are a reported 500 wrecks in the area.
The GBR also has 2 types of islands, coral cays & continental islands.
Coral Cays
The cays are reminiscent of the popular perception of paradise, thye are small sandy island covered in palm trees & tropical vegetation, with beaches that glisten under perfect skies and are surrounded by bright turquoise waters. There are several cays in various stages of their evolution, while Green Island & Heron Island are two of the more signicifcant.
Continental Islands
Continental islands, popular in the reef system, are the tops of mountains usually covered in thick vegetation, and are separated from the mainland and rise abruptly to 300km.
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