The front of Erskine Island Reef is exposed to the prevailing wind and sea conditions found offshore in the Coral Sea. Manta tow surveys were conducted on the reef slope. The reef slope is generally shallow dropping off into deep water with no discernable bottom. The reef structure has few features including spur and groove and gullies.

The benthic community was dominated by coralline/turf algae, but hard coral was also common. Hard coral cover on the reef front was moderate composed mainly of Acropora species. The dominant coral lifeform was tabulate, but other forms such as encrusting corals were also present. Coral bleaching was not present.

The fish abundance on the front of Erskine Island Reef was moderate. Conspicuous groups of reef fishes included surgeonfish and damselfish. No crown-of-thorns starfish were observed on the front of Erskine Island Reef .