Osprey Reef
Osprey Reef is a submerged atoll in the Coral Sea, northeast of Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Northwestern Group of the Coral Sea Islands. Osprey Reef is roughly oval in shape, measuring, and covers around. It has a perimeter of. The central lagoon is only deep.
The reef sits atop a seamount in deep water. It is an isolated location some from other reefs. The almost vertical reef walls, which rise from a depth of about, are home to a dwarf form of Nautilus pompilius that is isolated from other nautilus populations by more than. Schindleria brevipinguis, one of the world's smallest fish, is found in the Osprey Reef lagoon.
The reef has no intertidal or emerged sand cay. The surrounding waters are part of the South Equatorial Current. The reef is protected within the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve.Corals
A 2009 expedition aimed to make discoveries in the deeper parts of the reef between below sea level. Relict fauna communities consisting of rock sponges, glass sponges, brachiopods and stalked sea lilies were discovered.Diving
The reef has been described as the "ultimate reef diving adventure". The reef is home to large and colourful soft corals. Sharks are common.
