41. A fringing reef can take ten thousand years to form, and an atoll can take up to 30 million years. 42. The island offers divers shallow fringing reef and coral gardens with large schools of snappers, fusiliers and the occasional large ray. 43. Near Msambweni, Kenya the reef, which stretches from Msambweni to Malindi in the north, is the world's largest continuous fringing reef . 44. It is surrounded by a fringing reef , and is considered to be one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. 45. Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between fringing reefs and another type of reef called a "'barrier reef " '. 46. Where the bottom is rising, fringing reefs can grow around the coast, but coral raised above sea level dies and becomes white limestone. 47. Where the land is rising, fringing reefs can grow around the coast, but coral raised above sea level dies and becomes white limestone. 48. The harbour ( merely an opening in the fringing reef , only passable by small boats ) is at the northwest of the island. 49. Being a true atoll structure, it is believed that the atolls of Tubbataha were formed thousands of years ago as fringing reefs and volcanic islands. 50. It is located on an artificial island within the fringing reef about 150 meters from the coast and is connected to the main island by a causeway.
