Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
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Welcome to the Olympic Coast National Marine 
Sanctuary web site. Here you'll discover the marine life and extraordinary habitats 
that make up your nation's marine sanctuaries and our continuing efforts to conserve 
these ocean and coastal treasures.
panorama view of Olympic Coast's coastline
Welcome to NOAA'simage indicates link leaves this site official website for Olympic Coast National
Marine Sanctuary. Within these pages you'll find words, maps and
pictures that just begin to hint at the wonders of this important
part of America's marine landscape and the National Marine Sanctuary Systemimage indicates link leaves this site.

orca whale
Orca whales are one of 29 species of marine mammals in the sanctuary.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary includes 3,188 square miles of marine waters off the rugged Olympic Peninsula coastline. The sanctuary extends 25 to 50 miles seaward, covering much of the continental shelf and several major submarine canyons. The sanctuary protects a productive upwelling zone - home to marine mammals and seabirds. Along its shores are thriving kelp and intertidal communities, teeming with fishes and other sea life. In the darkness of the seafloor, scattered communities of deep sea coral and sponges form habitats for fish and other important marine wildlife.

paragorgia coral
Brilliant Paragorgia corals and feather-like crinoids grace the seafloor.
In addition to important ecological resources, the sanctuary has a rich cultural and historical legacy. Over two hundred shipwrecks are documented here. In addition, the vibrant contemporary communities of the Makah Tribe, Quileute Tribe, Hoh Tribe, and Quinault Nation have forged inseparable ties to the ocean environment, maintaining traditions of the past while they navigate the challenges of the present.

You'll learn about the Olympic Coast as a place - the qualities that make it extraordinary. Visit The Living Sanctuary to learn about ocean processes, the underwater landscape, marine wildlife, marine habitats and traditional cultures and maritime history. Throughout the website you will also learn about our important work – conserving this incomparable place and its resources for generations to come.

So, dive in, get to know us and explore Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary!




sea otter
Photo of a sea otter
  • NOAA Subtidal surveys assess sea otter effects on nearshore habitats 2015
    Liam Antrim, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
    Greg Williams, NOAA Fisheries' Northwest Fisheries Science Center

  • Explore
    Habitats you can't see from the ocean's edge.
    Learn
    How to watch wildlife without causing harm.
    Tune In
    Videos of life on the ocean floor!



    Contact for page content: Jacqueline Laverdure
    Revised August 26, 2016 by Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary   |    Contact Us   |    Report a broken link  |
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