The Coral Sea is a live recording of two performances by Patti Smith and Kevin Shields from 2005 and 2006.

[11] The set consists of Smith's homage to the photographer, her friend and former lover Robert Mapplethorpe, and consists of the text of her epic 1996 poem of the same title.

In terms of music the two performances are stylistically different, but the words remain the same.

The poem tells the story of M (Mapplethorpe) on a final voyage to see the stars of the Southern Cross before he dies.

All lyrics are written by Patti Smith; all music is composed by Kevin ShieldsAll personnel credits adapted from The Coral Sea's liner notes.