Fringing reefs: reefs that grow close to the shore and extend out into the sea like a submerged platform. Eg- Ningaloo Reef(Australia)
Barrier reef: reefs separated from the land by wide expanses of water and follow the coastline. Eg- Great Barrier reef of Australia
Atolls: a roughly circular ring of reefs surrounding a lagoon, a low lying island. They are common in the Indian and South pacific oceans.eg- Atolls of Lakshadweep
Patch reefs: They are small, isolated reefs that grow up from the open bottom of the island platform or continental shelf. They usually occur between fringing reefs and barrier reefs. They vary greatly in size, and they rarely reach the surface of the water.
