Both underwater and intertidal rocky reefs are included in this interest feature, up to the level of the highest astronomical tide.

Vast areas of intertidal rocky reefs can be found at Boulmer, Longhoughton, Lindisfarne and Berwick. To the north of Berwick narrow intertidal reefs, backed by sheer cliffs descend steeply into the sea. This is a difficult area of the shore for plants and animals to live. They must survive drying out and predation by shorebirds when the tide goes out and withstand strong wave action as the tide returns. The rich diversity of the communities of plants and animals found on rocky intertidal reefs is partly a reflection of the number of different habitat types found in this area. Rock pools, crevices, gaps between boulders, spaces under stones and open flat rock surfaces all provide homes for diverse marine life.

Many of the plants and animals that live on rocky intertidal reefs are adapted in their body structure or behaviour to cope with conditions in this tough environment. Limpets clamp their shells tightly to the rock, some species tend to gather in cool crevices for protection, or in rock-pools where they remain permanently submerged.

The rocky shore is often covered by seaweed (algae). When the tide is out the algae flattens onto the rock covering the smaller plants and animals that live beneath its canopy, enabling them to keep cool and moist. Some species of seaweed such as the channelled wrack (Pelvetia canaliculata) can tolerate losing the majority of their moisture content, only to re-hydrate when covered with seawater again.

Moving down the shore into deeper water where subtidal reefs are found, conditions become increasingly calm. This is the zone where kelp forests are found. These large species of brown algae provide a sheltered habitat for literally hundreds of species, such as smaller algae, sessile animals such as sponges and fern-like hydroids. Beneath the canopy formed by the kelp fronds, urchins graze on the kelp itself, juvenile fish shelter, and crab and lobster forage.

Going deeper still, kelps disappear because they need light to survive. The reefs in this zone support a "living turf" of sessile or encrusting animals such as the soft coral known as "Dead Man's Fingers" (Alcyonium digitatum), the Devonshire cup coral (Caryophyllia smithii), the Breadcrumb Sponge (Halichondria panicea) and sea pens (Pennatula phosphorea). Dense beds of writhing brittle stars (Ophiothrix fragilis & Ophiocomina nigra) can also be seen covering rocks and boulders.

The distribution of rocky reefs within the Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site can be seen in the Map Gallery

Some of the animals from rocky reefs can be seen in Sights and Scenes