What is the sheltered body of water between Queensland’s coast and the Great Barrier Reef called?

The sheltered body of water between Queensland’s coast and the Great Barrier Reef is called the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

The lagoon is the broad marine area separating the mainland coast from the reef’s outer barrier and offshore reefs. Its width and depth vary considerably along the coast because the reef is not a perfectly continuous wall. Channels, passages, shoals, islands and individual reef platforms create a complex seascape.

The lagoon provides habitat for seagrass meadows, mangroves, coral communities, fish, dugongs and marine turtles. It also supports shipping, fishing, tourism and research, although activities are regulated through the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and related Queensland and Australian laws.

The lagoon should not be confused with the Coral Sea. The Coral Sea is the larger sea to the east of the reef, while the lagoon is the inner water region between the mainland and much of the reef system. In some locations, local channels connect lagoon waters directly with the open sea.