slideshow

Marine World Heritage Photo Gallery

Marine World Heritage is a prestigious list of 50 marine ecosystems and biodiversity treasures from across the globe, including  countries such as Australia, Iceland, Russia, South Africa, the Phillippines, United States, and Yemen. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes.

In this slideshow, explore the beauty of all 50 Marine World Heritage sites and some of the magnificent marine life within them. 

Tags: Biodiversity Photography Protecting Spaces Ocean Optimism Beaches
The Peninsula Valdes in Argentina was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site is home to important breeding populations of the endangered southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), and southern sea
A small giant clam -- yes, that's it's real name -- in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The Heard & McDonald Islands site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. As the only volcanically active sub-Antarctic islands, Heard and McDonald provide the opportunity to observe ongoing geomorphic processes and glacial dynam
The Macquarie Island site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. The island is the exposed crest of the undersea Macquarie oceanic ridge, raised to its present position where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate meets the Pacific p
The Shark Bay site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The site is home to the world's richest and largest sea-grass beds; five species of endangered marine mammals, including dugongs (Dugong dugon), which feed on the grass; and
The Sundarbans site in Bangladesh, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997, includes one of the largest remaining areas of mangroves in the world and supports a rich animal community.
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System consists of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, and several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. The system's seven sites illustrate the evolutionary h
The Brazilian Atlantic Islands site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2001. The rich waters of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll are extremely important for the breeding and feeding of tuna, shark, turtle, and marine mammals. Th
The Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek site in Canada and the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. The sites protected areas along the boundary of Canada and the United States of America are the larg
The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary site in Colombia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006. The marine park surrounding Malpelo Island is the largest no-fishing zone in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, providing critical refuge for threatened and
A leatherback sea turtle crawls across the sand at the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste site in Costa Rica.
The Cocos Island National Park site in Costa Rica was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. Cocos Island's position as the first point of contact with the northern equatorial counter-current and the myriad interactions between the island and the su
The Galapagos Islands site in Ecuador was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. Located in the equatorial Pacific Ocean nearly 1000 km from South America, the Galapagos Islands and the surrounding marine reserve are a unique "living museum and show
The Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve site in France was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983. The site's vegetation is an outstanding example of scrubland. Seagulls, cormorants, and sea eagles can be found here, while the clear waters, with their islets and inaccessible caves, host a rich and diverse marine life.
The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems site in France was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. The site features an exceptional diversity of coral and fish species and a continuum of habitats from mangroves to se
The Wadden Sea site in Germany and the Netherlands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009. It hosts marine mammals, including the harbor seal Phoca vitulina, pictured here.
A gray seal on the shores of Surtsey, Iceland.
A crocodile sits in water at Sundarbans National Park in India.
The Komodo National Park site in Indonesia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The site hosts "Komodo dragons" (Varanus komodoensis), a unique species that exists nowhere else in the world and is of great interest to scientists studying evolu
The coral reefs of Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia, a World Heritage site, are dominated by a small number of coral species and support some of the richest fish fauna in the Indonesian archipelago.
Steller's sea eagles, a threatened species, gather on sea ice at the Shiretoko Peninsula in Japan.
The Phoenix Islands Protected Area site in Kiribati was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010. The site encompasses one of the world's largest intact oceanic coral archipelago ecosystems, together with 14 known underwater seamounts and other deep
The Banc d'Arguin National Park site in Mauritania was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1989. Fringing the Atlantic coast, the park comprises sand dunes, coastal swamps, small islands, and shallow coastal waters. A wide variety of migrating birds sp
The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005. The site is important for its diversity of oceanographic processes, including wind- and current-driven upwelling, tidal mixing, and h
The Sian Ka'an site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. The site's name means "Origin of the Sky" in Mayan and contains tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes, as well as a large marine area intersected by the Caribbean Barrier Re
The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The sanctuary contains important breeding and wintering sites for the grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus - pictured here), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina),
The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The islands are particularly notable for the abundance and diversity of nesting pelagic seabirds and penguins (including macaroni penguins, Eudyptes chrysolophus,
The West Norwegian Fjords's two fjords, among the world's longest and deepest, are considered archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere.
A school of blue-striped snapper gathers at Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection site in Panama.
The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park site in the Philippines was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site's topography varies from flat plains to rolling hinterlands and hills to mountain peaks, encompassing a complete mountai
The Tubbataha Reefs National Park site in the Philippines was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The site is an example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100 m (330 ft) perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons, and two coral islands - all
The Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve site in Russia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004. Located well above the Arctic Circle, the site includes the mountainous Wrangel Island, Herald Island, and surrounding waters. The reserve has exc
A hawksbill turtle in the waters of the Seychelles.
The East Rennell site in the Solomon Islands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The site contains one of the largest raised coral atolls in the world, with a marine area extending three nautical miles to sea. The strong climatic effects
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park site in South Africa was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. Wind and water continue to shape the site’s diverse landforms: coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive ree
The Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture site in Spain was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site's dense prairies of Posidonia oceanica, an important (and highly productive) endemic sea grass, provide coastal protection from storms, food and ha
The High Coast in Sweden and the Kvarken Archipelago in Finland were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000. The High Coast and the 5,600 islands of the archipelago have been shaped by the combined processes of glaciation, glacial retreat, and the em
The Gough and Inaccessible Islands site in the United Kingdom was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995. The site, located in the south Atlantic, is one of the least-disrupted island and marine ecosystems in the cool temperate zone. The spectacular
The volcanic archipelago St. Kilda in the United Kingdom has some of the highest cliffs in Europe and hosts large colonies of endangered seabirds.
The Everglades National Park in the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. This site is a unique ecosystem created by a shallow, "imperceptible river" 50 miles wide, flowing slowly south to the tip of Florida. The exceptional varie
The Papahanaumokuakea site in the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010. The site is a vast isolated cluster of small low-lying islands and atolls surrounded by ocean that provides safe habitat for endangered species like the green
The Ha Long Bay site in Vietnam was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. The site's 1,600 islands and islets form a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars surrounded by species-rich waters, including a tremendous diversity of marine algae and o
A Socotra cormorant dries its wings on the shore at the Socotra Archipelago in Yemen.
The Peninsula Valdes in Argentina was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site is home to important breeding populations of the endangered southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), and southern sea

Península Valdés, Argentina

Credit: Reinhard Jahn Mannheim

The Península Valdés in Argentina was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site is home to important breeding populations of the endangered southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), and southern sea lion (Otaria flavescens), pictured here.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

A small giant clam -- yes, that's it's real name -- in Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Credit: Chuck Savall

The Great Barrier Reef site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. The site is the world’s most extensive stretch of coral reef with probably the richest animal diversity anywhere. There are over 1,500 species of fish, about 400 types of coral, 4,000 types of mollusk (including the small giant clam, Tridacna maxima, pictured here), and a diverse assemblage of sponges, anemones, marine worms, crustaceans, and many other invertebrate and vertebrate species. The “GBR” provides refuge, habitat, and resources for several endangered species, including dugong (Dugong dugon) and sea turtle feeding grounds and nesting grounds for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. See more photos and learn about other Marine World Heritage sites.

The Heard & McDonald Islands site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. As the only volcanically active sub-Antarctic islands, Heard and McDonald provide the opportunity to observe ongoing geomorphic processes and glacial dynam

Heard & McDonald Islands, Australia

Credit: Mila Zinkowa

The Heard & McDonald Islands site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. As the only volcanically active sub-Antarctic islands, Heard and McDonald provide the opportunity to observe ongoing geomorphic processes and glacial dynamics. The distinctive conservation value of these pristine islands is the complete absence of introduced plants and animals - or any other human impact - which makes this site ideal breeding grounds for animals like the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) and king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus), pictured here.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Macquarie Island site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. The island is the exposed crest of the undersea Macquarie oceanic ridge, raised to its present position where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate meets the Pacific p

Macquarie Island, Australia

Credit: M. Murphy

The Macquarie Island site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. The island is the exposed crest of the undersea Macquarie oceanic ridge, raised to its present position where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate meets the Pacific plate. It is a site of major geo-conservation significance, with exposures that include excellent examples of pillow basalts and other extrusive rocks. The island is used by a number of animals, including southern elephant seals, sub-Antarctic fur seals, albatross, giant petrels, and king penguins.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Shark Bay site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The site is home to the world's richest and largest sea-grass beds; five species of endangered marine mammals, including dugongs (Dugong dugon), which feed on the grass; and

Shark Bay, Australia

Credit: Government of Australia

The Shark Bay site in Australia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The site is home to the world's richest and largest sea-grass beds; five species of endangered marine mammals, including dugongs (Dugong dugon), which feed on the grass; and stromatolites, dome-shaped structures created by cyanobacteria, one of the oldest forms of life on earth.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Sundarbans site in Bangladesh, which was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997, includes one of the largest remaining areas of mangroves in the world and supports a rich animal community.

Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Credit: Nicky de Battista

The Sundarbans site in Bangladesh was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. The site’s mangrove forest is one of the largest remaining areas of mangroves in the world and supports a rich animal community, including 260 kinds of birds, the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Indian python (Python molurus), and endangered Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System consists of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, and several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. The system's seven sites illustrate the evolutionary h

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System

Credit: Tony Rath

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System site in Belize was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1996. The site is an outstanding natural system, consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, and several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. The system's seven sites illustrate the evolutionary history of reef development and are a significant habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees, and the American marine crocodile.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Brazilian Atlantic Islands site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2001. The rich waters of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll are extremely important for the breeding and feeding of tuna, shark, turtle, and marine mammals. Th

Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves

Credit: Roberto Garrido

The Brazilian Atlantic Islands site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2001. The rich waters of the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll are extremely important for the breeding and feeding of tuna, shark, turtle, and marine mammals. The site is home to the largest concentration of tropical seabirds in the Western Atlantic. Baia de Golfinhos has an exceptional population of resident dolphin, and at low tide, the Rocal Atoll provides a spectacular seascape of lagoons and tidal pools teeming with fish.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek site in Canada and the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. The sites protected areas along the boundary of Canada and the United States of America are the larg

Kluane/Wrangell-St Elias/Glacier Bay/Tashenshini-Alsek, Canada & the United States

Credit: Eamonn O'Brian-Strain

The Kluane / Wrangell-St Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek site in Canada and the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. The sites protected areas along the boundary of Canada and the United States of America are the largest non-polar ice-field in the world and contain examples of some of the world's longest and most spectacular glaciers. Characterized by high mountains, ice-fields and glaciers, the site transitions from northern interior to coastal biogeoclimatic zones, resulting in high biodiversity with plant and animal communities ranging from marine, coastal forest, montane, sub-alpine, and alpine tundra, all in various successional stages.

 

Pictured here is a Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary site in Colombia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006. The marine park surrounding Malpelo Island is the largest no-fishing zone in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, providing critical refuge for threatened and

Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, Colombia

Credit:

Seawatch.org

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary site in Colombia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006. The marine park surrounding Malpelo Island is the largest no-fishing zone in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, providing critical refuge for threatened and endangered marine mammals, fish, and turtles. The nutrient-loaded waters support rich aggregations of biodiversity, including populations of large predators like the hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), pictured here, and is an important source of fish and invertebrate larvae to surrounding waters.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

A leatherback sea turtle crawls across the sand at the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste site in Costa Rica.

Area de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Credit: rustinpc

The Area de Conservación Guanacaste site in Costa Rica was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site has the most intact inshore Pacific marine ecosystem between the Panama Canal Zone and Mexico, with major nutrient-rich upwelling currents, resulting in high biological productivity. The area includes key habitat for notable threatened or rare animal species, such as the jaguar (Panthera onca), jabiru stork (Jabiru mycteria), saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtle, pictured here.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Cocos Island National Park site in Costa Rica was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. Cocos Island's position as the first point of contact with the northern equatorial counter-current and the myriad interactions between the island and the su

Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica

Credit: Barry Peters

The Cocos Island National Park site in Costa Rica was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997. Cocos Island's position as the first point of contact with the northern equatorial counter-current and the myriad interactions between the island and the surrounding marine ecosystem make the area an ideal laboratory for the study of biological processes. The site hosts critical habitats for marine wildlife, including large pelagic species, especially sharks (like the hammerhead Sphyrna lewini), but also rays, tuna, and dolphins.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Galapagos Islands site in Ecuador was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. Located in the equatorial Pacific Ocean nearly 1000 km from South America, the Galapagos Islands and the surrounding marine reserve are a unique "living museum and show

Sally Lightfood Crab, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

Credit: Alan Davis

The Galápagos Islands site in Ecuador was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978. Located in the equatorial Pacific Ocean nearly 1000 km from South America, the Galapagos Islands and the surrounding marine reserve are a unique "living museum and showcase of evolution." Ongoing seismic and volcanic activity reflect the processes that formed the islands, which together with the extreme isolation, led to the development of unusual animals, such as the land iguana, giant tortoise, and the many types of finch – all of which inspired Charles Darwin's development of the theory of evolution by natural selection, following his visit in 1835. Pictured here is the Sally lightfoot crab, Grapsus grapsus.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve site in France was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983. The site's vegetation is an outstanding example of scrubland. Seagulls, cormorants, and sea eagles can be found here, while the clear waters, with their islets and inaccessible caves, host a rich and diverse marine life.

Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve, France

Credit: Jean-Pol Grandmont

The Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve site in France was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983. The site's vegetation is an outstanding example of scrubland. Seagulls, cormorants, and sea eagles can be found here, while the clear waters, with their islets and inaccessible caves, host a rich and diverse marine life.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems site in France was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. The site features an exceptional diversity of coral and fish species and a continuum of habitats from mangroves to se

Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems, France

Credit: Emmanuel Legros

The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems site in France was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. The site features an exceptional diversity of coral and fish species and a continuum of habitats from mangroves to seagrasses, with one of the world's most diverse concentrations of reef structures. The lagoons also provide habitat to a number of emblematic or threatened marine species such as giant grouper, black-spotted stingray, several species of sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, and the third largest population of dugongs in the world.

 

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Wadden Sea site in Germany and the Netherlands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009. It hosts marine mammals, including the harbor seal Phoca vitulina, pictured here.

Wadden Sea, Germany & the Netherlands

Credit: Mhaesen

The Wadden Sea site in Germany and the Netherlands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009. It’s a large relatively flat coastal wetland environment, with tidal channels, sandy shoals, sea-grass meadows, mussel beds, sandbars, mudflats, salt marshes, estuaries, beaches, and dunes. The site is the breeding and wintering area for up to 12 million birds each year. It also hosts marine mammals, including the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina - pictured here), gray seal, and harbor porpoise and is one of the only remaining large-scale intertidal ecosystems where natural processes continue to function largely undisturbed.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

A gray seal on the shores of Surtsey, Iceland.

A Unique World Heritage Site: Surtsey, Iceland

Credit: Andreas Trepte

The Surtsey site in Iceland was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. Surtsey is a new island, formed by volcanic eruptions that took place from 1963 to 1967. The site is unique, because it's been protected since its formation, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human interference, Surtsey has been producing unique long-term information on the colonization process of new land by plant and animal life, both terrestrial and marine. Soon after the island's formation, seals were seen resting on shore and by 1982 gray seals, Halichoerus grypus, (pictured here) were breeding. The presence of seals has attracted killer whales (Orcinus orca), one of their predators.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

A crocodile sits in water at Sundarbans National Park in India.

Sundarbans National Park, India

Credit: WildVanilla (Rob)

The Sundarbans National Park site in India was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. The site, located in the Ganges delta, contains the world's largest mangrove forest and hosts a number of rare and endangered species including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds, and reptiles. Mammals that frequent the tidal waters include Ganges dolphins (Platanista gangetica), Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis), irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris), and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides). Reptiles that use the park include olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), which nest in the park, green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), and estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), pictured here.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Komodo National Park site in Indonesia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The site hosts "Komodo dragons" (Varanus komodoensis), a unique species that exists nowhere else in the world and is of great interest to scientists studying evolu

Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Credit: Nick Hobgood

The Komodo National Park site in Indonesia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The site hosts "Komodo dragons" (Varanus komodoensis), a unique species that exists nowhere else in the world and is of great interest to scientists studying evolution. The rugged hillsides of dry savannah and pockets of thorny green vegetation contrast starkly with the brilliant white sandy beaches and blue coral-rich waters offshore. Pictured here is some of the diversity of marine life in the park: three species of tunicates ("sea squirts") - Polycarpa aurata is purple and orange, Atriolum robustum is green, and the blue is from the genus Rhopalaea.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The coral reefs of Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia, a World Heritage site, are dominated by a small number of coral species and support some of the richest fish fauna in the Indonesian archipelago.

Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia

Credit: C. Frank Starmer

The Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The park, located in the extreme western tip of Java on the Sunda shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon Peninsula and several offshore islands and encompasses the natural reserve of Krakatoa. In addition to its natural beauty and geological interest – particularly for the study of inland volcanoes – it contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in the Java plain. The coral reefs of the Ujung Kulon coast and Krakatau Group are dominated by a small number of coral species and support some of the richest fish fauna in the Indonesian archipelago, as evidenced by the abundant deep fish populations of barracuda, sailfish, tuna, skipjack, sharks and abundant reef populations of butterfly fish. Pictured here among different species of Acropora corals is a long-spined sea urchin (Diadema).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

Steller's sea eagles, a threatened species, gather on sea ice at the Shiretoko Peninsula in Japan.

Shiretoko, Japan

Credit: Kushiro Nature Conservation Office, Ministry of the Environment

The Shiretoko site in Japan was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005. The site’s key feature is its exceptional productivity, largely resulting from the formation of relatively low-latitude seasonal sea ice, which feeds the growth of phytoplankton, the base of the marine food-web. Shiretoko is an important refuge for threatened seabirds (like the Steller's sea eagle, Haliaeetus pelagicus, pictured here), a number of salmonid species, and nearly 30 species of marine mammals, including Steller's sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area site in Kiribati was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010. The site encompasses one of the world's largest intact oceanic coral archipelago ecosystems, together with 14 known underwater seamounts and other deep

Phoenix Islands Protected Area, Kiribati

Credit: Cat Holloway

The Phoenix Islands Protected Area site in Kiribati was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010. The site encompasses one of the world's largest intact oceanic coral archipelago ecosystems, together with 14 known underwater seamounts and other deep-sea habitats. There are about 200 coral species, 500 fish species, 18 marine mammals, and 44 kinds of birds. The structure and functioning of the site's ecosystem illustrates its pristine nature and importance as a migration route and reservoir of organisms to surrounding exploited areas. Pictured here is a school of ornate butteryfly fish (Chaetodon ornatissimus), one of the many colorful fish protected within the boundaries of the site.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Banc d'Arguin National Park site in Mauritania was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1989. Fringing the Atlantic coast, the park comprises sand dunes, coastal swamps, small islands, and shallow coastal waters. A wide variety of migrating birds sp

Banc d'Arguin National Park, Mauritania

Credit: Pinpin

The Banc d'Arguin National Park site in Mauritania was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1989. Fringing the Atlantic coast, the park comprises sand dunes, coastal swamps, small islands, and shallow coastal waters. A wide variety of migrating birds spend the winter, while several species of sea turtle and dolphin, used by fishermen to locate shoals of fish, can also be found here.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005. The site is important for its diversity of oceanographic processes, including wind- and current-driven upwelling, tidal mixing, and h

Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California, Mexico

Credit: Michael Calderwood

The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005. The site is important for its diversity of oceanographic processes, including wind- and current-driven upwelling, tidal mixing, and hydrothermal vents - all of which contribute to its extraordinary biological diversity. There are 890 fish species (90 of which occur nowhere else), 34 kinds of whales and dolphins, 25 species of coral, over 4,800 invertebrates, the poisonous yellow-bellied sea snake, and 90% of the world’s Heermann's gulls. Within the site are breeding and nursery grounds for 30,000 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), as well as feeding and wintering grounds for five of the world’s eight species of marine turtles: leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, black or Pacific green, and olive ridley.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Sian Ka'an site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. The site's name means "Origin of the Sky" in Mayan and contains tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes, as well as a large marine area intersected by the Caribbean Barrier Re

Sian Ka'an, Mexico

Credit: Marc Patry

The Sian Ka'an site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1987. The site's name means "Origin of the Sky" in Mayan and contains tropical forests, mangroves, and marshes, as well as a large marine area intersected by the Caribbean Barrier Reef. On land there are 1,200 plant species, five species of felines (including jaguars and ocelots), as well as threatened tapirs and peccaries. Aquatic animals include manatees (Trichechus manatus) and nesting colonies of jabiru storks (Jabiru mycteria), frigate birds (Fregata magnificens), brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), and roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The sanctuary contains important breeding and wintering sites for the grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus - pictured here), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina),

Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino, Mexico

Credit: Eugenio Gomez Rodriquez

The Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino site in Mexico was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The sanctuary contains important breeding and wintering sites for the grey whale (Eschrichtius robustus - pictured here), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris), and blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). The lagoons are also home to four species of endangered marine turtles: leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The islands are particularly notable for the abundance and diversity of nesting pelagic seabirds and penguins (including macaroni penguins, Eudyptes chrysolophus,

New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, New Zealand

Credit: Therin & Weise

The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The islands are particularly notable for the abundance and diversity of nesting pelagic seabirds and penguins (including macaroni penguins, Eudyptes chrysolophus, pictured here). There are over 120 bird species in total, including 40 seabirds, five of which breed nowhere else. The islands support major populations of 10 of the world's 24 species of albatross. And almost 6 million sooty shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) nest on Snares Island alone.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The West Norwegian Fjords's two fjords, among the world's longest and deepest, are considered archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere.

West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, Norway

Credit: Nicky deBattista

The West Norwegian Fjords - Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005. The site's two fjords, among the world's longest and deepest, are considered archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 meters from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 meters below sea level. The site features geological structures such as submarine moraines (undersea remnants of glacial activity), as well as colonies of seals (Phoca vitulina) and porpoises (Phocoena phocoena). Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

A school of blue-striped snapper gathers at Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection site in Panama.

Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection, Panama

Credit: Lazlo Ilyes

The Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection site in Panama was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2005. The site, protected from the cold winds and effects of El Nino, provides a key ecological link to the Tropical Eastern Pacific for the transit and survival of pelagic fish and marine mammals. The varied marine environments within the park provide habitat and resources for diverse marine life: nearly 800 species of fish, including 33 species of sharks, and 20 species of cetaceans. Pictured here is a school of blue-striped snapper, Lutjanus kasmira.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park site in the Philippines was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site's topography varies from flat plains to rolling hinterlands and hills to mountain peaks, encompassing a complete mountai

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Philippines

Credit: Paul Chin

The Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park site in the Philippines was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site's topography varies from flat plains to rolling hinterlands and hills to mountain peaks, encompassing a complete mountain-to-sea ecosystem and providing significant biodiversity conservation habitat. One of the park's unusual features is its spectacular limestone karst landscape (shown here), with its underground river emerging directly into the sea.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Tubbataha Reefs National Park site in the Philippines was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The site is an example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100 m (330 ft) perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons, and two coral islands - all

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines

Credit: Ron Van Oers

The Tubbataha Reefs National Park site in the Philippines was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993. The site is an example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100 m (330 ft) perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons, and two coral islands – all of which supports a diverse marine community. The waters surrounding the atolls provide refuge to several hundred species of fish (including 11 types of shark), 46 kinds of coral, and 11 cetaceans (whales and dolphins). The park's land area provides nesting grounds for seven species of seabird, as well as the endangered hawksbill and green turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata and Chelonia mydas).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve site in Russia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004. Located well above the Arctic Circle, the site includes the mountainous Wrangel Island, Herald Island, and surrounding waters. The reserve has exc

Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve, Russian Federation

Credit: Nikita Ovsayanikov / Wild Russia

The Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve site in Russia was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004. Located well above the Arctic Circle, the site includes the mountainous Wrangel Island, Herald Island, and surrounding waters. The reserve has exceptionally high levels of biodiversity and boasts the world's largest population of Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens – pictured here) and the world's highest density of ancestral polar bear dens (Ursus maritimus). It's also an important feeding ground for gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrating from Mexico and is the northernmost nesting ground for 100 migratory bird species, many of which are endangered.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

A hawksbill turtle in the waters of the Seychelles.

Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles

Credit: Keith Wilson

The Aldabra Atoll site in the Seychelles was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982. The site is comprised of a coral reef surrounding four large coral islands, which enclose a shallow lagoon. Protected from human influence, Aldabra's beaches are safe nesting habitat for hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata - pictured here), one of the Indian Ocean’s largest congregations of nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas), and the world’s second largest breeding populations of greater and lesser frigate birds (Fregata minor & Fregata ariel). The site also provides a refuge to 100,000 Aldabran giant tortoises (Dipsochelys dussumieri), one of the few surviving giant tortoise species of the Indian Ocean region.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The East Rennell site in the Solomon Islands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The site contains one of the largest raised coral atolls in the world, with a marine area extending three nautical miles to sea. The strong climatic effects

East Rennell, Solomon Islands

Credit: Ali Tabbassum

The East Rennell site in the Solomon Islands was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1998. The site contains one of the largest raised coral atolls in the world, with a marine area extending three nautical miles to sea. The strong climatic effects of frequent cyclones make the area a true natural laboratory for scientific study. However, there is currently little detailed information available about the marine regions within the site.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park site in South Africa was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. Wind and water continue to shape the site’s diverse landforms: coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive ree

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa

Credit: Marc Spalding

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park site in South Africa was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. Wind and water continue to shape the site’s diverse landforms: coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands. As a result, the park contains critical habitat for an exceptional diversity of species from Africa's marine, wetland, and savannah environments. Pictured here is a whale shark (Rhincodon typus), which ranges between shallow near-shore and deeper offshore waters.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture site in Spain was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site's dense prairies of Posidonia oceanica, an important (and highly productive) endemic sea grass, provide coastal protection from storms, food and ha

Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture, Spain

Credit: BuzzWoof

The Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture site in Spain was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1999. The site's dense prairies of Posidonia oceanica, an important (and highly productive) endemic sea grass, provide coastal protection from storms, food and habitat for a broad diversity of marine life, and critical nursery grounds for fishery species. Among the site's other significant marine values are underwater caves that offer access to important geological features, the most diverse pillow coral community (Cladocora caespitosa) in the Mediterranean, and a valuable population of Ecteinascidia turbinata, a tunicate or "sea squirt" with recognized use in preventing and treating cancer. Ibiza also offers protection to three globally endangered species, including the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The High Coast in Sweden and the Kvarken Archipelago in Finland were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000. The High Coast and the 5,600 islands of the archipelago have been shaped by the combined processes of glaciation, glacial retreat, and the em

High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago, Sweden & Finland

Credit: Thomas Birkö

The High Coast in Sweden and the Kvarken Archipelago in Finland were inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000. The High Coast and the 5,600 islands of the archipelago have been shaped by the combined processes of glaciation, glacial retreat, and the emergence of new land from the sea, as the weight of the glacial ice is removed by melting (“isostatic uplift”). The special feature of the site’s marine realm is that it’s the submarine extension of the landscapes undergoing such uplift. Continual elevation of the land results in inlets becoming progressively cut off from the sea, transforming them into estuaries and ultimately lakes. Meanwhile, shorelines are constantly reshaped, new islands are born offshore, and others become peninsulas as they unite with the mainland.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Gough and Inaccessible Islands site in the United Kingdom was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995. The site, located in the south Atlantic, is one of the least-disrupted island and marine ecosystems in the cool temperate zone. The spectacular

Gough and Inaccessible Islands, United Kingdom

Credit: Ron Van Oers

The Gough and Inaccessible Islands site in the United Kingdom was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1995. The site, located in the south Atlantic, is one of the least-disrupted island and marine ecosystems in the cool temperate zone. The spectacular cliffs, towering above the ocean, are free of introduced mammals and home to one of the world's largest colonies of sea birds, including millions of great shearwaters (Puffinus gravis). Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) have only occasionally been sighted on shore, but there is a large breeding population of sub-Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus tropicalis – pictured here), as well as 10 percent of the global population of northern rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes moseleyi).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The volcanic archipelago St. Kilda in the United Kingdom has some of the highest cliffs in Europe and hosts large colonies of endangered seabirds.

St. Kilda, United Kingdom

Credit: Scottish National Heritage / MNCR

The St. Kilda site in the United Kingdom was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986. The volcanic archipelago and surrounding marine waters have some of the highest cliffs in Europe and host large colonies of rare and endangered birds. The seabird breeding populations form one of the largest concentrations in the North Atlantic, including a colony of fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis), the world's largest colony of gannets (Morus bassanus), and about 50 percent of the British population of puffins (Fratercula arctica).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Everglades National Park in the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. This site is a unique ecosystem created by a shallow, "imperceptible river" 50 miles wide, flowing slowly south to the tip of Florida. The exceptional varie

Everglades National Park, United States

Credit: Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park in the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979. This site is a unique ecosystem created by a shallow, "imperceptible river" 50 miles wide, flowing slowly south to the tip of Florida. The exceptional variety of aquatic habitats has made it a sanctuary for a large number of birds and threatened species such as American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) and Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Pictured here is a great egret (Ardea alba) standing among cypress trees (Taxodium).

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Papahanaumokuakea site in the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010. The site is a vast isolated cluster of small low-lying islands and atolls surrounded by ocean that provides safe habitat for endangered species like the green

Papahanaumokuakea, United States

Credit: James Watt, Seapics

The Papahānaumokuākea site in the United States was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2010. The site is a vast isolated cluster of small low-lying islands and atolls with its surrounding ocean. Apart from the deep cultural significance the site has for living Hawai'ians, it's important for its pelagic and deepwater habitats, which contain special features such as seamounts, submerged banks, and extensive coral reefs and lagoons, providing safe habitat for endangered species like the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), pictured here.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

The Ha Long Bay site in Vietnam was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. The site's 1,600 islands and islets form a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars surrounded by species-rich waters, including a tremendous diversity of marine algae and o

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Credit: Doucin & Lalaite

The Ha Long Bay site in Vietnam was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. The site's 1,600 islands and islets form a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars surrounded by species-rich waters, including a tremendous diversity of marine algae and over a thousand varieties of fish.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the "Crown Jewels of our Ocean" and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.

A Socotra cormorant dries its wings on the shore at the Socotra Archipelago in Yemen.

Socotra Archipelago, Yemen

Credit: Nepenthes

The Socotra Archipelago site in Yemen was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. The marine life is diverse and includes 283 species of coral, 730 species of coastal fish, and 300 species of crab, lobster, and shrimp. Socotra also supports globally significant populations of sea birds, including a number of threatened species like the Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis) pictured here, as well as nesting sites for endangered loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) sea turtles. Marine areas in Socotra are less degraded than most Indian Ocean reefs, and the archipelago itself is a major center of dispersal and replenishment for the surrounding seas.

Today, over 40 World Heritage sites are listed for their marine values. Together, they can be considered the “Crown Jewels of our Ocean” and are recognized for their outstanding beauty, exceptional biodiversity, or unique ecological, biological, or geological processes. Learn more about this and other marine World Heritage sites.