There's something worth celebrating on the Great Barrier Reef right now! A new report from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) shows coral cover growing back across some of the most important stretches of reef, and after a few tough years, that's exactly the kind of news we love sharing. Here's what's actually happening beneath the surface, and why it matters. It's the kind of update that makes us want to throw a tiny party for a coral reef, which is, admittedly, a very Go For Zero thing to do.

So, What Did the Latest Reef Report Actually Find?

The 40th annual report from AIMS's Long-Term Monitoring Program surveyed 192 areas of reef between August 2025 and June 2026, from Cape York down to Gladstone, and the results were soooo nice to read (seriously). Hard coral cover in the Northern Great Barrier Reef climbed from 30 per cent to 35.1 per cent, and the Central Reef rose from 28.6 per cent to 31.6 per cent. Across the whole survey, 28 per cent of reefs increased their coral cover, 56 per cent held steady, and only 16 per cent went backwards.

Why Did the Reef Get a Bit of a Break This Time?

A late summer monsoon during the 2025-26 season brought extra cloud cover and rain, which cooled sea surface temperatures right when the reef needed it most. That gave coral a window to grow back after the significant bleaching event of 2024. AIMS long-term monitoring lead researcher Mike Emslie described it as "promising signs of recovery from the really large declines we saw," while AIMS reef fish ecologist Daniela Ceccarelli said coral cover in the northern and central reef now sits above the long-term average.

What's Still Ahead for the Reef?

Not every part of the reef bounced back at the same pace. Hard coral cover in the Southern Great Barrier Reef dipped slightly, from 26.9 per cent to 26.4 per cent, and scientists are keeping a close eye on an early crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak in the north.

Even so, experts see real resilience in what's unfolding. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chief scientist Roger Beeden describes it as the reef's "inherent resilience" shining through whenever the pressure eases up a little. University of Sydney conservation scientist Dr Bing Lin, speaking to Time Out Australia, put it another way: a healthy reef is like a wardrobe full of different outfits rather than one repeated look, since a more varied reef's got more ways to cope with whatever comes next, whether that's heat stress, cyclones or starfish.

A forecast El Niño could still bring renewed heat stress this coming summer, and we'll be watching right alongside the scientists. But a reef that's growing back in patches, one cooler season at a time, is a reef worth celebrating. Progress doesn't have to be perfect to count, and that's as true for a coral as it is for the rest of us finding small ways to help the planet.

Big change is built from lots of small, better choices. If this good news has you feeling inspired, explore our planet-friendly swaps and find an easy place to start here.

Ready for another good story? You can pick from so many others here.

With love,
Ellie x

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the Great Barrier Reef fully recovered from bleaching?

No. Recovery is patchy. Coral cover has increased in the Northern and Central Great Barrier Reef, but the Southern Reef saw a slight decline, and scientists say the reef remains under ongoing pressure from heat stress and other threats.

What caused the increase in coral cover in 2026?

A late summer monsoon in the 2025-26 season brought extra cloud cover and rain, which cooled sea surface temperatures and gave coral a chance to regrow following the significant 2024 mass bleaching event.

Which part of the Great Barrier Reef improved the most?

The Northern Great Barrier Reef saw the biggest increase, with hard coral cover rising from 30 per cent to 35.1 per cent. The Central Reef also improved, from 28.6 per cent to 31.6 per cent.

Did every part of the reef improve?

No. The Southern Great Barrier Reef declined slightly, from 26.9 per cent to 26.4 per cent, even as the northern and central regions improved.

What threats does the Great Barrier Reef still face?

An early crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak is showing in the northern reef, and a forecast El Niño raises the risk of further heat stress and bleaching in the coming summer, according to AIMS and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority scientists.