Marine Protected Areas in the United States of America: A Country Designation Atlas

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

A sprawling marine reserve spanning Northwestern Hawaiian islands and atolls.

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument covers a vast expanse of the Pacific, including coral reefs, submerged banks, and ten islands and atolls. This protected area offers significant insights into remote oceanic geography, featuring critical habitats for endemic species and layered maritime historical sites. Explore the structural map and landscape composition of this immense marine protected zone.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Mapping deep submarine canyons and expansive Pacific coastal ecosystems.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary represents one of the most biologically significant marine protected areas in the United States. Spanning 276 miles of California shoreline, the sanctuary encompasses varied aquatic terrain including towering kelp forests, rocky reefs, and the massive Monterey Submarine Canyon. This protected marine landscape serves as a crucial region for oceanic research and environmental conservation.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary

Southern California marine habitat and island topography

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protects 1,470 square miles of diverse marine environment near the California coast. This sanctuary guards vital kelp forests and deep seafloor ecosystems while preserving deep water archaeological sites and the biological legacy of the Northern Channel Islands.

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary

Essential marine protected area off the coast of California.

Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary protects a vital network of oceanic habitats off California, including sandy beaches, tidal flats, subtidal reefs, and open ocean waters. This marine protected area serves as a critical link in the Pacific coast's network of conservation landscapes, offering a deep look at the geographic connectivity between coastal estuaries and offshore continental shelf environments.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Pacific Ocean canyons, shelf ecosystems, and coastal wilderness

Defined by its proximity to the Olympic Peninsula, this marine protected area spans a rugged stretch of the Pacific Ocean. The sanctuary encompasses significant seafloor features including the Nitinat and Quinault canyons, alongside dynamic upwelling zones that support diverse marine life and complex tidal habitats.

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary

Submerged granite seamount and offshore California marine ecosystem

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is an expansive protected marine zone situated off the California coast. The sanctuary preserves a rare granite underwater mountain that acts as a biodiversity hotspot. Learn about the submerged terrain, continental shelf boundaries, and ecological importance of this significant North American marine conservation area.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Submerged reef structures and archipelago geography

Focusing on the marine geography of the Florida Keys, this detailed record outlines the sanctuary's boundaries, ranging from Atlantic coral reefs to Gulf of Mexico seagrass flats. Understand the physical scale of this protected system, its role in coastal conservation, and the unique underwater terrain that defines the southern tip of the United States.

Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

Mapping coastal transition zones and submarine seafloor features

Spanning over 4,500 square miles off the Central Coast of California, the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary represents a critical ecological intersection between northern and southern marine species. The sanctuary includes dramatic underwater terrain like Arguello Canyon, Rodriguez Seamount, and the Santa Lucia Bank, creating a complex habitat that sustains kelp forests and diverse maritime resources.

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

Underwater heritage site in North Carolina Atlantic waters

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary stands as a landmark of marine conservation, designated specifically to preserve the remains of the USS Monitor ironclad warship. Located off Cape Hatteras, the sanctuary provides a defined underwater landscape where historical research, archaeology, and natural reef formation converge. Discover the spatial context of this significant Atlantic protected area and its enduring legacy in American naval history.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

Explore marine boundaries and reef ecosystems in the Hawaii archipelago.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary provides essential protection for vast underwater habitats stretching across the Hawaiian archipelago. This protected area supports a specialized ecosystem featuring diverse coral reefs and significant whale breeding grounds. Understanding the sanctuary requires examining its unique spatial gradient from shallow shorelines to deep oceanic waters and its role in regional conservation.