Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Home to the third-largest coral barrier reef in the world, a huge mangrove forest and the occasional shipwreck-turned artificial reef, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary preserves around 2,900 square nautical miles of coastal waters. Established in 1990, it safeguards the region's coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove islands, providing critical habitat for an array of marine species. As a federally protected area, the sanctuary supports conservation, research, and sustainable use efforts. Visitors can explore its vibrant underwater world, while the sanctuary actively promotes education and community engagement to ensure the long-term health of this ecologically significant environment.