Abstract: Coral reef is a kind of special geotechnical medium. From the perspective of engineering geology, it can be divided into two types:coral sandstone and coral reef limestone. This paper reviews the basic history of coral reef research for 30 years, focusing on the exploration and research results of the static mechanical properties, dynamic properties, low particle strength and other special mechanical properties of the coral sand soil and the engineering properties of the pile foundation. Taking the development and construction of coral reef islands in the South China Sea as a guide, more research scholars are called upon to join the research team of coral reefs to jointly promote the development of coral reef engineering geology.