Marine Protected Areas in the Philippines: A Comprehensive Geographic Atlas and Map

Tañon Strait Protected Seascape

An expansive marine passage located within the central Visayas island group.

As the largest marine protected area in the Philippines, the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape represents a complex aquatic geography spanning 160 kilometres. Its protected waters serve as a vital corridor for marine biodiversity, linking the northern Visayan Sea to the southern Bohol Sea. This resource provides a detailed look at the strait's maritime boundaries, coastal ecosystems, and the distinct underwater terrain that defines this critical conservation zone.

Apo Reef Marine Natural Park

Marine protected area in the Mindoro Strait, Philippines

Apo Reef Marine Natural Park serves as a high-priority conservation landscape featuring two massive triangular coral banks and steep underwater drop-offs. This site provides a critical case study in marine geomorphology, characterized by its deep submarine trenches and unique atoll-like structure within the broader Philippine archipelagic geography.

Pujada Bay Protected Seascape

Coastal geography and protected marine ecosystems of Mindanao

Pujada Bay Protected Seascape serves as a primary coastal sanctuary along the Davao Oriental shoreline. Defined by the convergence of mountain-fed rivers, mangrove forests, and coral reef habitats within a semi-enclosed bay, this protected area offers a deep look into the marine geography of the Philippine archipelago.

Port Barton Marine Park

Coastal reef ecosystems and community-managed marine sanctuary.

Port Barton Marine Park encompasses the sheltered waters and small islands of Pagdanan Bay on the western coast of Palawan. This marine protected area is defined by its complex reef systems, such as Manta Ray Reef, and a grassroots governance model that integrates local community stakeholders into the management of its vital underwater nurseries and coastal habitats.