The Coral Sea

The Coral Sea is a large body of warm water in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It lies between Australia, Papua New Guinea, and several island chains. The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, is found in the Coral Sea.

A Tropical Sea

The Coral Sea is warm and clear, which makes it perfect for coral to grow. The sea covers about 1.85 million square miles. It is home to thousands of kinds of fish, sea turtles, sharks, and other marine animals. Many small islands dot the sea.

The Great Barrier Reef

The most famous feature of the Coral Sea is the Great Barrier Reef. This reef stretches over 1,400 miles along the coast of Australia. It is made up of billions of tiny living creatures called coral polyps. You can see it from outer space.

Fun Facts

• The Coral Sea is one of the warmest seas on Earth.
• An important World War II battle, the Battle of the Coral Sea, was fought there in 1942.
• The Coral Sea has some of the clearest water in the world.

Did You Know?

The Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea is so big that it is often called the largest living structure on Earth!