Olympic Coast
National Marine Sanctuary

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is one of the nation's most treasured ocean areas, and home to a rich abundance of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and thriving invertebrate communities.

The area occupies a maritime cultural landscape that has supported humans since time immemorial. The contemporary cultures of four coastal tribes - Hoh Tribe, Makah Tribe, Quileute Tribe, and Quinault Indian Nation - have forged inseparable ties to the ocean environment, maintaining traditions of the past while they navigate the challenges of the present.

Additionally, there are approximately two hundred historical shipwrecks reported in the vicinity of the sanctuary that mark the history of maritime shipping along the Olympic Coast.

Sanctuary News

artistic rendition of the exterior of the new visitor center
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NOAA announces $3 million to support construction of a new discovery center in Port Angeles for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

An aerial view of the Olympic Coast, including undeveloped coastal forests, sandy beaches, rocky offshore islands and seastacks, and vast ocean views.

Help Shape the Future

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is undergoing a management plan review. The revised management plan will be informed by current issues and knowledge, and will help the sanctuary continue to protect natural and cultural resources. NOAA is inviting the public to help chart the future management and direction of this special place.

report cover: a rocky coastline

Condition Report

A "condition report" provides a summary of resources in Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, pressures on those resources, current conditions and trends, and management responses to the pressures that threaten the integrity of the marine environment.

report cover: orca leaping out of the water

A Changing Ocean

Explore how Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary is being, affected by climate change now and into the future.

Go Coastal

Looking for adventures this summer? Check out the Pacific Northwest jewel that is Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary!

Multimedia

Immerse yourself in the ocean and your national marine sanctuaries without getting wet!

Dive Into Olympic Coast

National Marine Sanctuary System

national marine Sanctuary system map

The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries serves as the trustee for a network of underwater areas encompassing more than 620,000 square miles of marine and Great Lakes waters from Washington state to the Florida Keys, and from Lake Huron to American Samoa. The network includes a system of 15 national marine sanctuaries and Papahānaumokuākea and Rose Atoll marine national monuments.