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)
7.9%
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
Phoenix Islands
(Protected Area) within Kiribati
Implemented marine protected area397,569 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
3.8%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area11
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 area12
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 area13
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 area14
Revillagigedo
(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 area15
16
Natural Park of the Coral Sea
(Parc Naturel), overlaps with New Caledonia and Vanuatu
Implemented marine protected area135,916 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (11% of area)
1.3%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area17
Niue Moana Mahu
(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 area18
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 area19
Terres Australes Françaises
(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 area20
Cordillera de Coiba
(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 area21
22
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 area23
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 area24
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 area25
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 area26
Reserva Marina Hermandad
(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 area27
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 area28
29
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 area30
31
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 area32
33
34
35
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 area36
St Anns Bank
(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 area37
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 area38
Isla del Coco
(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 area39
Área Marina Protegida de la Reserva de Biosfera Seaflower
(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 area40
Jardines de la Reina
(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 area41
Isla de Mona
(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 area42
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 area43
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 area44
45
Alaska Maritime
(National Wildlife Refuge) within United States
Implemented marine protected area1,067 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (40% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area46
Perairan Kepulauan Fam (Raja Ampat
(Not Specified) within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area999 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (28% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area47
Southeast Misool (Raja Ampat
(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 area48
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 area49
Refúgio De Vida Silvestre Do Arquipélago De Alcatrazes
(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 area50
Selat Dampier (Raja Ampat
(Not Specified) within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area527 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (15% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area51
Florida Keys
(National Marine Sanctuary) within United States
Implemented marine protected area488 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (5% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area52
53
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 area54
Apo Reef Natural Park
(Not Specified) within Philippines
Implemented marine protected area274 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area55
Teluk Mayalibit (Raja Ampat
(Not Specified) within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area145 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (30% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area56
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 area57
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 area58
Kofiau and Boo Islands (Raja Ampat
(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 area59
Ayau-Asia Island (Raja Ampat
(Not Specified) within Indonesia
Implemented marine protected area110 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (11% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area60
Caribe Mexicano
(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 area61
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 area62
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 area63
Tupinambás
(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 area64
65
Old Providence McBean Lagoon
(El Parque Nacional Natural) within Colombia
Implemented marine protected area15 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area66
Torre Guaceto
(Riserva Naturale Marina E Aree Naturali Marine Protette) within Italy
Implemented marine protected area3 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (13% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area67
Lamlash Bay [no-take zone]
(Voluntary Reserve) within United Kingdom
Implemented marine protected area2 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area68
Flamborough Head [No-Take Zone]
(Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive)) within United Kingdom
Implemented marine protected area1 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (100% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area69
Cerbère-Banyuls
(Réserve naturelle nationale) within France
Implemented marine protected area1 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (11% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area70
Siete Pecados
(Marine Park) within Philippines
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (10% of area)
< 0.1%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area71
Great Australian Bight
(Marine Park) within Australia
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area72
South Tasman Rise - Special Purpose Zone
(Marine Park) within Australia
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area73
Lundy [no-take zone]
(Marine Conservation Zone) within United Kingdom
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area74
Pedra do Valado
(Marine Park) within Portugal
Designated marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area75
East Antarctic
(Marine Protected Area) within the High Seas
Proposed marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area76
77
Weddell Sea
(Marine Protected Area) within the High Seas
Proposed marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area78
Kermadec
(Benthic Protection Area) within New Zealand
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area79
80
Glacier Bay
(National Park & Preserve) within United States
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area81
82
Marae Moana
(Marine Park) within Cook Islands
Designated marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area83
Basin Head Marine Protected Area
(Marine Protected Area) within Canada
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area84
Tarium Niryutait Marine Protected Area
(Marine Protected Area) within Canada
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area85
Tasman Fracture
(Marine Park) within Australia
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area86
87
Pacífico Mexicano Profundo
(Reserva de la Biósfera) within Mexico
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area88
Laurentian Channel
(Zone De Protection Marine) within Canada
Designated marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area89
Gulf of Carpentaria
(Marine Park) within Australia
Implemented marine protected area0 km2 in implemented fully / highly protected area (0% of area)
0%
of global implemented fully / highly protected area