These data describe the dynamics of corals, invertebrates, and fishes on 5 m X 5 m plots on the forereef following an outbreak of corallivorous crown-of-thorns seastars (Acanthaster planci) that caused mass coral mortality (see Adam et al. 2011). Twenty plots were first established at Resilience 2 during July 2009. Half of these plots were randomly assigned to a structure removal treatment and all dead coral structure was removed by divers, while the other half remained unmanipulated. Following the establishment of these plots, in February 2010 this site was impacted strongly by tropical cyclone Oli with the result that most of the structure was removed from all plots. Consequently, during July 2010, a structure/no structure experiment was initiated on ten plots (5 removals and 5 controls) at a site not impacted by Cyclone Oli (Resilience 3). Finally, during July 2011, five unmanipulated plots were established at each of four additional sites (Resilience 1, 4, 5, 6) so that community trajectories could be compared among sites. Counts of fishes, invertebrates, and corals are made regularily (at least annually). Coral and invertebrate counts are each separated into two data tables to reflect slightly different methodology. Initial coral counts included counts (and size estimates) of all stony corals, while later counts focused on corals from three genera, Pocillopora, Acropora, and Porites. Initial counts of invertebrates did not include information on size; all invertebrates were measured in later counts. In addition to in situ counts, all plots are photographed annually in 0.5 m by 0.5 m segments (e.g., 100 photos per plot). This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Grant No. OCE 16-37396 (and earlier awards) as well as a generous gift from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Research was completed under permits issued by the French Polynesian Government (Délégation à la Recherche) and the Haut-commissariat de la République en Polynésie Francaise (DTRT) (Protocole d'Accueil 2005-2018). This work represents a contribution of the Moorea Coral Reef (MCR) LTER Site.