The reef can be subdivided into several zones: the reef flat, the reef crest and the reef slope. The shoreline gives way to the shallow reef flat that may vary in width and depth - at very low tides, some parts of the reef flat are exposed to air and direct sunlight. Here, scattered about are small colonies of boulder-shaped knob corals (Favia), maze coral (Platygyra sp.) and sponges of different colours. Pockets of sandy areas may be surrounded by lawns of large brown algae Sargassum sp. Bands of black sea urchins gather in large numbers. This level also marks the outer edge of the reef flat, which gives way to the reef crest.
Marine life on the reef crest is usually the richest - almost every type of coral is represented: the brain corals (Family Mussidae), bubble-corals (Family Caryophyllidae), pore corals (Family Poritidae), mushroom corals (Family Fungidae), cauliflower coral (Pocillopora sp), cave corals and disc coral (Family Dendrophyllidae), the table and staghorn corals (Acropora sp.), anemone corals (Goniopora sp)and many others. Living among these corals are many other marine animals. Deep purple-coloured sea anemones, with their symbiotic clownfish are a common sight. Crinoids (feather stars) are cryptic by day, and hide in coral crevices. Attached on the reef substrata are the sponges, sea squirts (tunicates), feather-duster worms and stinging hydroids. The other more mobile reef residents are the cowries, cone shells, nudibranchs, shrimps and crabs may be found in the crevices of the reef.