Coral Sea Islands

The Coral Sea Islands form a widely scattered collection of sand cays, coral reefs and tiny islets in the ocean northeast of the Australian coast. Most of these formations sit barely above the waterline and are regularly washed by waves, while only very few rise permanently above the surface.

Australia declared this area its territory in 1969 to secure control over surrounding waters and marine resources. Over the following decades, the government gradually expanded its boundaries to include additional reefs and ocean areas.

The weather station on Willis Island operates year-round with a small team of Australian meteorologists working in isolated conditions. Their observations contribute to cyclone forecasting and weather patterns across the South Pacific, important for navigation and coastal communities.

Visitors need special authorization from Australian authorities, as the entire territory is managed as a protected zone. Only Willis Island has human presence, while all other islets remain uninhabited and closed to public access.

Elizabeth Reef and Middleton Reef lie far to the south and rank among the coldest coral structures worldwide, where tropical species exist at the edge of survival. This southern location creates an unusual mix of marine life that rarely occurs together in the same waters.