The film is about a group of friends who capsize while sailing to Indonesia and are stalked by a great white shark as they try to swim to a nearby island.

With the current taking them further away from land, Luke gathers supplies from the overturned vessel with the intention of swimming to nearby Turtle Island.

With the group gathered on top of the overturned hull, Warren activates the yacht's EPIRB, but Luke informs him that it is an older model that requires a plane to fly overhead to receive the signal.

When Luke suggests the others join him in swimming to the island, which he estimates to be twelve miles away, Warren refuses, as he believes the water is shark-infested.

As she sits on the barren rock, Kate scans the ocean as she continues to call Luke's name and cries hysterically in devastation.

The written epilogue reveals that Kate was rescued by a fishing boat the next day, however extensive searches failed to locate Warren or the vessel.

"[8] Rob Gaison, the chief executive of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, was concerned about the film being advertised as "based on a true story" which he felt could hurt the tourist industry for the area.

Col McKenzie, the CEO of Association of Marine Park Operators, said that previous films about sharks near reefs attacking people such as Open Water had hurt the tourism industry.

Stuart Wahlin said "The Reef is a good nail-biter I’m happy to recommend, especially to those who share my craving for stories of sharks with a taste for human flesh.

"[14] The UK Film Review Site HeyUGuys.co.uk said "If you’re a lover of being scared and are looking for the next shark movie that will shake you up since Deep Blue Sea, then this is the one for you!

The group's vacation quickly becomes a fight for survival, when a large great white shark begins to follow and attack them.

The movie stars Teressa Liane, Ann Truong, Saskia Archer, Kate Lister, and Tim Ross.