Osprey Reef

- 13.908056146.615278Koordinaten: 13 ° 54 ' 29 " S, 146 ° 36' 55" E

The Osprey Reef ( literally translated: Osprey Reef ) is a level below the water surface Atoll off the northeastern coast of the Australian state of Queensland. It is part of lying in the Coral Sea Northwestern Islands Group and is located about 110 km off the Great Barrier Reef in the open sea.

The reef has an elongated oval shape. It is about 25 km long, 12 km wide and has an area of ​​approximately 195 km ²; the circumference is 69.5 km. While the central lagoon is only 30 m deep, the reef falls mostly vertically from up to 2000 m. These cliffs are home to a population of Common nautilus (Nautilus pompilius ), which is separated by over 100 km of open water from other populations. One of the world's smallest species of fish, the Schindleria brevipinguis, was discovered in 2004 at the Osprey Reef and scientifically described.

The Osprey Reef is under Australian administration and is situated in a marine reserve. The number of vessels authorized to visit the reef is limited to a small number, which is why there are only a handful of liveaboard boats are weekly, the tourists may bring to Osprey Reef.