Fringing reefs aren't a kind of decoration but rather a type of coral reef. They form in shallow water and grow parallel to the coastline. Like all coral reefs, fringing reefs need a warm environment and thrive in tropical waters between 18°C and 30°C. Fringing reefs prefer hard surfaces to sand and are most often found in oceans with a rocky seabed. Fringing reefs have two sides, a reef flat and reef slope. The reef flat is closest to shore and most of its corals are dead. The reef slope faces the open sea and is the most impressive side of the reef. The fringing reef is the first stage of coral growth and the most common form of coral reef.