Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary was established in 1992 to federally protect a designated marine area offshore of California’s central coast that stretches from Marin to Cambria. The entire sanctuary encompasses a shoreline length of 276 miles and 6,094 square statue miles of ocean, extending 30 miles from shore. This is the one of our nations largest national marine sanctuaries, larger than Yellowstone National Park!

The sanctuary contains extensive kelp forests and one of North America’s largest underwater canyons and closest-to-shore deep ocean environments. Its diverse marine ecosystem also includes rugged rocky shores, wave-swept sandy beaches and tranquil estuaries. These habitats harbor an incredible variety of marine life, including 36 species of marine mammals, more than 180 species of seabirds and shorebirds, at least 525 species of fishes, and an abundance of invertebrates and algae. Known as the “Serengeti of the Sea,” this remarkably productive marine environment is fringed by spectacular coastal scenery, including sand dunes, rocky cliffs, rolling hills and steep mountains.

Come explore this marine sanctuary via boating, fishing, hiking, wildlife watching, kayaking, and diving. Natures wonderland is your playground to conquer!