The Friends of Long Reef focus on the appreciation and protection of the aquatic reserve's natural and cultural values. The reserve was declared in 1980 and comprises 80 hectares, extending from Long Reef Beach to Collaroy rockpool to 100m offshore, in order to protect the habitats and biodiversity of this unique site. The headland's unique rock layers are also part of a proposed UNESCO Geopark. The Friends are a subgroup of the National Parks Association of NSW (Sydney branch).