These data describe the recruitment of scleractinian corals to unglazed terracotta tiles secured independently to horizontal reef surfaces. The tiles are positioned horizontally to create a cryptic habitat beneath (approximately 1 cm high) and are in place approximately 6 months at a time; they are replaced ca. January and September. The tiles are bleached and inspected for coral skeletons using a dissecting microscope. Coral recruits are resolved to three families (Poritidae, Acroporidae, Pocilloporidae, and "others") and are scored on upper, lower and side surfaces. Data are available for the back reef (2006-present) and outer reef (2007-present).