| Montgomery Reef | |
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| Image Alt: | Image of Montgomery Reef. |
| Map Alt: | Map showing location of Montgomery Reef. |
| Coordinates: | -15.9933°N 124.2397°W |
| Location: | Indian Ocean |
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| Country: |  Australia |
| Country Admin Divisions Title: | State |
| Country Admin Divisions: | Western Australia |
| Country Admin Divisions Title 1: | Reef |
| Country Admin Divisions 1: | Montgomery Reef |
| Country Area M2: | or |
| Country Area Ha: | --> |
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| Timezone1: | AWST |
| Utc Offset1: | +8 |
Montgomery Reef is a reef off the Kimberley coast of Western Australia. It is situated at the south western end of Camden Sound and surrounds Yawajaba (Montgomery) Island. With its total area of 400km2 (about 80km (50miles) in length),[1] it is the world's largest inshore reef.[2] The nearest populated place is Bardi, which is approximately 130km (80miles) to the south west.[3]
The reef lies approximately 20km (10miles) off shore, opposite Doubtful Bay to the east and Collier Bay to the south.[4] It lies within the Camden Sound Marine Park, which was gazetted in 2012, covering an area of 7062km2.[5]
The reef and island were named by Philip Parker King, the first European to sight the island, aboard, while exploring the area in 1818. King named the island after the ship's surgeon, Andrew Montgomery.[6] King also named Doubtful Bay.[7]
Montgomery Reef has an unusual wide tidal range, up to 10m (30feet). When the tide is out, vast lagoons, sandstone islets, and a central mangrove island are revealed. The outward movement of the tide forms a torrent of water, creating a river cutting through the reef and hundreds of cascading waterfalls. At low tide, more than 4m (13feet) of reef can be exposed.
While the tide is going out, the waterfalls attract migratory wading birds, feeding turtles, manta rays, black tipped reef sharks, and dugongs. The area is a popular tourist site and has several cruise operators visiting daily.[8]