Largest Marine Protected Areas
89%
of global marine protected area36%
of the 100 largest marine protected areas11%
of global marine protected areaThis list shows the largest MPAs by overall protection status based on MPA Guide assessments. The MPA Guide provides a scientific framework for categorizing MPAs using consistent criteria based on establishment stage and protection levels that reflect the conservation benefits they provide. Learn more.
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1
Ross Sea Region
Marine Protected Area (CCAMLR within the High Seas
Implemented marine protected area1,931,766 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (95% of area)
18%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area2
Papahānaumokuākea
Marine National Monument within United States
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area1,508,721 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
14%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area3
Pacific Remote Islands
Marine National Monument within United States Minor Outlying Islands
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area1,265,728 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (64% of area)
12%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area4
Pitcairn Islands
Marine Protected Area within Pitcairn
Implemented marine protected area836,092 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
8%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area5
Tristan da Cunha
Exclusive Economic Zone within Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Implemented marine protected area698,369 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (92% of area)
6.6%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area6
7
Cocos (Keeling) Island
Marine Park within Cocos Islands
Implemented marine protected area465,845 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
4.4%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area8
Macquarie Island
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area445,315 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (94% of area)
4.2%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area9
Ascension Exclusive Economic Zone
Marine Protected Area within Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Implemented marine protected area443,571 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (99% of area)
4.2%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area10
South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands
Marine Protected Area within South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Implemented marine protected area307,487 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (25% of area)
2.9%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area11
Christmas Island
Marine Park within Christmas Island
Implemented marine protected area273,186 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (99% of area)
2.6%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area12
Marianas Trench
Marine National Monument, overlaps with Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area204,685 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (83% of area)
1.9%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area13
Revillagigedo
National Park (Parque Nacional) within Mexico
Implemented marine protected area148,644 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
1.4%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area14
15
Natural Park of the Coral Sea
Natural Park (Parc Naturel), overlaps with New Caledonia and Vanuatu
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area135,916 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (11% of area)
1.3%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area16
Niue Moana Mahu
Marine Protected Area (Matakavi puipui mo e leveki) within Niue
Implemented marine protected area126,974 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
1.2%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area17
Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area124,911 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (36% of area)
1.2%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area18
Terres Australes Françaises
National Nature Reserve (Réserve Naturelle Nationale) within French Southern Territories
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area120,162 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (7% of area)
1.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area19
South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf Marine Protected Area
Marine Protected Area (CCAMLR) within the High Seas
Implemented marine protected area94,717 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.9%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area20
Heard Island and McDonald Islands - Sanctuary Zone
Marine Reserve within Heard and McDonald Islands
Implemented marine protected area70,589 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.7%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area21
Cordillera de Coiba
Managed Resources Area (Área de Recursos Manejados) within Panama
Implemented marine protected area67,821 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.6%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area22
Monumento Natural Das Ilhas de Trindade, Martim Vaz e Do Monte Columbia
Natural Monument (Monumento Natural) within Brazil
Implemented marine protected area67,698 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.6%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area23
Russkaya Arktika
National Park (Russkay Arktik) within Russia
Implemented marine protected area64,978 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.6%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area24
25
South-west Corner
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area54,836 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (20% of area)
0.5%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area26
Monumento Natural Do Arquipélago De São Pedro E São Paulo
Natural Monument (Monumento Natural) within Brazil
Implemented marine protected area47,200 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.4%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area27
Norfolk
Marine Park within Norfolk Island
Implemented marine protected area41,661 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (22% of area)
0.4%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area28
Argo-Rowley Terrace
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area36,050 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (25% of area)
0.3%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area29
American Samoa
National Marine Sanctuary within American Samoa
Implemented marine protected area34,803 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (99% of area)
0.3%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area30
Reserva Marina Hermandad
Marine Reserve (Reserva Marina) within Ecuador
Implemented marine protected area30,057 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (50% of area)
0.3%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area31
Prince Edward Islands
Marine Protected Area within South Africa
Implemented marine protected area26,200 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (14% of area)
0.2%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area32
33
Western Eyre
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area17,437 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (30% of area)
0.2%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area34
35
Great Barrier Reef Coast
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area15,050 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (25% of area)
0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area36
37
Northeast Canyons and Seamounts
Marine National Monument within United States
Implemented marine protected area12,724 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area38
39
40
Central Eastern
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area8,110 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (12% of area)
0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area41
Kermadec Islands
Marine Reserve within New Zealand
Implemented marine protected area7,550 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area42
SGaan Kinghlas-Bowie Seamount
Marine Protected Area within Canada
Implemented marine protected area6,103 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area43
Archipel des Glorieuses [Reserve Zones]
National Nature Reserve (Réserve naturelle nationale), overlaps with French Southern Territories, Madagascar, Mayotte
Implemented marine protected area5,627 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area44
KKPD KABUPATEN LINGGA
Locally Managed Marine Area (Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Daerah) within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area3,508 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area45
Steller Sea Lion
Rookery Buffer Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area3,345 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area46
St Anns Bank
Marine Protected Area (Zone De Protection Marine) within Canada
Implemented marine protected area3,310 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (76% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area47
Ilhas Selvagens
Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural) within Portugal
Implemented marine protected area2,687 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area48
Aldabra Atoll
Special Reserve within Seychelles
Implemented marine protected area2,417 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area49
Isla del Coco
National Park (Parque Nacional) within Costa Rica
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area2,011 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (4% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area50
Área Marina Protegida de la Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower
Integrated Management National Districts (Distritos Nacionales de Manejo Integrado) within Colombia
Implemented marine protected area1,936 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (3% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area51
Jardines de la Reina
National Park (Parque Nacional) within Cuba
Implemented marine protected area1,903 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area52
Isla de Mona
Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural) within Puerto Rico
Implemented marine protected area1,505 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area53
Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Areas
(Marine Protected Area) within Canada
Implemented marine protected area1,502 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (62% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area54
Navassa Island
National Wildlife Refuge, overlaps with Haiti, Jamaica, United States Minor Outlying Islands
Implemented marine protected area1,468 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area55
Gwaii Haanas
National Marine Conservation Area Reserve & Haida Heritage Site within Canada
Implemented marine protected area1,404 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (41% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area56
57
Alaska Maritime
National Wildlife Refuge within United States
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area1,067 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (36% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area58
Perairan Kepulauan Fam (Raja Ampat
within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area999 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (28% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area59
Tubbataha Reefs
Natural Park within Philippines
Implemented marine protected area968 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area60
Parque Nacional Marinho Dos Abrolhos
Park (Parque) within Brazil
Implemented marine protected area878 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area61
Southeast Misool (Raja Ampat
Locally Managed Marine Area (Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Daerah) within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area808 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (24% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area62
Channel Islands
MPA Network within United States
Implemented marine protected area797 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (21% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area63
Refúgio De Vida Silvestre Do Arquipélago De Alcatrazes
Wildlife Refuge (Refugio de Vida Silvestre) within Brazil
Implemented marine protected area673 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area64
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park
National Park within Bahamas
Implemented marine protected area577 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area65
Selat Dampier (Raja Ampat
within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area527 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (15% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area66
Florida Keys
National Marine Sanctuary within United States
Designated & partially implemented marine protected area488 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (4% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area67
68
Oceanic Shoals
Marine Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area406 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (1% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area69
Bering Land Bridge National Park and Preserve
National Park and Preserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area365 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area70
Cabezas de San Juan
Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural) within Puerto Rico
Implemented marine protected area305 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area71
Apo Reef Natural Park
within Philippines
Implemented marine protected area274 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area72
NISOS GYAROS KAI THALASSIA ZONI
Sites of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (C) within Greece
Implemented marine protected area242 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area73
Kaho'olawe
Island Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area200 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area74
Zones A1 kai A6 periochis A Ethnikou Thalassiou Parkou Alonnisou Voreion Sporadon
Nature reserve zone in National Marine Park (Periochi prostasias tis fysis se thalassio parko) within Greece
Implemented marine protected area156 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area75
Wilsons Promontory
Marine National Park within Australia
Implemented marine protected area154 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area76
Arnavon Islands
Community Conserved Area within Solomon Islands
Implemented marine protected area150 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area77
Teluk Mayalibit (Raja Ampat
within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area145 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (30% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area78
Walrus Islands
State Game Sanctuary within United States
Implemented marine protected area140 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (24% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area79
Dry Tortugas
National Park within United States
Implemented marine protected area119 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (45% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area80
Kofiau and Boo Islands (Raja Ampat
Locally Managed Marine Area (Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Daerah) within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area119 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (9% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area81
Ayau-Asia Island (Raja Ampat
within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area110 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (11% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area82
Caribe Mexicano
Biosphere Reserve (Reserva de la Biósfera) within Mexico
Implemented marine protected area90 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area83
Stewarts Point
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area62 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area84
North Farallon Islands
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area47 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area85
Kisite-Mpunguti
Marine Protected Area within Kenya
Implemented marine protected area38 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area86
Big Creek
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area37 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area87
Southeast Farallon Island
State Marine Conservation Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area34 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area88
Bodega Head
State Marine Conservation Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area32 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area89
Point Reyes
State Marine Conservation Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area32 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area90
Greyhound Rock
State Marine Conservation Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area31 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area91
Montara
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area30 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area92
Año Nuevo
State Marine Conservation Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area28 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area93
Point Sur
State Marine Conservation Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area28 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area94
Piedras Blancas
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area26 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area95
Gitdisdzu Lugyeks
Marine Protected Area within Canada
Implemented marine protected area26 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area96
Tupinambás
Ecological Station (Estação Ecológica) within Brazil
Implemented marine protected area25 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area97
Point Sur
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area25 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area98
Point Reyes
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area24 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area99
Saunders Reef
State Marine Conservation Area within United States
Implemented marine protected area24 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area100
Bodega Head
State Marine Reserve within United States
Implemented marine protected area24 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area