At some reefs of the Great Barrier Reef long-term trapping of coral and crown-of-thorns starfish larvae may occur when flow separation at headlands and in reef passages creates recirculating flows in embayments and behind concave-shaped reefs. This generates self-recruitment. At most sites sites however, there is no long-term trapping to allow for self-recruitment, as satellite images and oceanographic modeling reveal. Linear reefs in particular do not trap passive larvae. This was demonstrated using satellite images and oceanographic modeling. The probability of self-recruitment for larvae swimming directionally to their natal reefs following environmental cues, such as reef fish larvae, is predicted to be much higher.