Astonishing Coral Colony Found by Mother-Daughter Duo on Great Barrier Reef
February 27, 2026
An unexpected breakthrough occurred during an ordinary dive for a mother and daughter at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
ABC News Australia / Biopixel: Richard Fitzpatrick
While participating in the Great Reef Census initiative by Citizens of the Reef, Sophie Kalkowski-Pope and her mother, Jan Pope, made a remarkable discovery off the coast of Cairns. The pair encountered what scientists suggest could be the largest coral colony recorded in the Great Barrier Reef and potentially the largest worldwide.
Spanning an impressive 111 metres in length, the Pavona clavus coral colony covers approximately 3,971 square metres. “It’s just these meadows of rippling coral as far as the eye can see,” Kalkowski-Pope stated.
For comparison, other contenders for the title of the world’s largest corals include a specimen off the Solomon Islands, which measures 34 metres at its longest point, and another in Nusa Penida, spanning 71 metres. This newly found coral colony greatly surpasses these examples.
In light of the discovery, the location is being kept confidential to safeguard the site. The information has been relayed to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for ongoing monitoring and management.
The discovery has been lauded by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Their research scientist, Mike Emslie, estimates the coral colony’s age to be “at least” several hundred years. This suggests the colossal coral has been thriving beneath the ocean for centuries, predating modern Australia’s establishment.
