The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation hosts a network of local chapters to ensure community involvement at individual sanctuary sites and in their surrounding communities. Learn more about each below:
Olympic Coast
Washington Olympic Coast About Designated: July 22, 1994 Area: 3,189 mi² Off northwest Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is rich with marine life, diverse habitats, history, and Native American culture. For Native American tribes on the Olympic Coast – the Makah, Quileute, Hoh, and Quinault – use of the waters stretches... View Article
Monterey Bay
California Monterey Bay About Designated: September 18, 1992 Expanded: March 9, 2009 Area: 6,094 mi² The star of the 2015 BBC/PBS live global television event Big Blue Live showcasing a marine habitat success story, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is the largest national marine sanctuary in the continental U.S. and a premier destination for research,... View Article
Florida Keys
Florida Florida Keys About Designated: November 16, 1990 Expansion: July 1, 2001 Area: 2,900 mi² Once you set foot in Florida Keys waters, you have entered Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. That’s because this sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of waters surrounding the Florida Keys, from south of Miami westward to the Dry Tortugas,... View Article
Gray’s Reef
Georgia Gray’s Reef About Designated: January 16, 1981 Area: 22 mi² Sixteen miles east of the Georgia coast between Savannah and Brunswick, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is one of the largest near-shore live-bottom reefs in the southeastern US. Considered an oasis in that region, its rocky habitat of ledges and seafloor attracts more than... View Article
