Abstract: The fringing reef systems in the Hainan Island are important coral reef resources, but the systematic research on their depositional evolution is still rare. By AMS¹⁴C dating, macroscopic core observation, and microscopic identification, the sedimentary characteristics (including lithologic facies and biological components) of the middle-late Holocene interval from core ZK-6 in the Hainan Island were described in detail, the sedimentary evolution sequence was established, and the factors controlling reef development were discussed. The AMS¹⁴C dating indicates that the fringing reef development occurred during the middle-late Holocene (7560～3410 aBP). The sedimentary facies were characterized by an alternation of reef flat and backreef. Sea-level change and paleo-seawater-temperature variation controlled the fringing reef development. Results show that the reef-flat facies developed mainly in relatively low sea level, and the backreef facies mainly in relatively high sea level. The paleo-seawater temperature influenced the sedimentation rate of the fringing reef, with a rise in paleo-seawater temperature enhancing the sedimentation rate. It is proposed that sea-level change was the main factor that led to the changes in the sedimentary facies zonation of the fringing reef from 7560 to 3410 aBP in the northeastern Hainan Island. This study revealed the evolution of coral community ecosystem in the Hainan Island, providing an important theoretical support for the protection and restoration of the reef ecosystem.