In Chapter 8, when Timothy goes to the reef without Phillip to find some fish to eat, the old man doesn't know if the reef will be safe for Phillip or not. Although the reef is a source of food, then, it's also filled with sharp, spiky surfaces (the coral) and even spiky sea creatures. Phillip, being blind, could really hurt himself out there on accident if he's not sure where to step. You might think it's not too big of a deal to get a cut, but keep in mind that Timothy and Phillip are stranded on a deserted island; they don't have any bandages or antibacterial ointment that would protect any cuts against infections.
But a cut is actually the least of the reef's potential hazards. Sea urchins can actually stab the foot and inject a poison, according to Timothy. And, because the water becomes very deep very suddenly in some places out on the reef, there's also a drowning hazard, not to mention the possibility of sharks swimming right there in the deeper waters.
In fact, Phillip gets a scare in Chapter 11 when he's stumbling around near the reef and accidentally steps on a skate (a very flat kind of fish). And toward the end of the story, while swimming in the reef for lobster, Phillip gets bitten by what he assumes is an eel.
Clearly, the reef offers many dangers in exchange for the sustenance it provides. Timothy has trained Phillip to be careful, though, and the boy is able to navigate the reef with some degree of confidence so that he can continue to survive without Timothy.
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