Cordell Bank
National Marine Sanctuary
Cordell Bank, an area of 3,295 square miles off the northern and central California coast, protects the wildlife, habitats, and cultural resources of one of the most diverse and bountiful marine environments in the world. The waters are a nationally significant marine ecosystem, and support an abundance of life, including breeding and feeding grounds for at least 25 endangered and threatened species; 36 marine mammal species; over a quarter of a million breeding seabirds; and one of the most significant white shark populations on the planet.
Quick Facts
Location: 52 miles west-northwest off the coast of San Francisco, California
Protected Area: 1,286 square miles
Designation: May 1989; Expansion: June 2015
Habitats:
- Continental shelf and slope
- Deep-sea canyons
- Open ocean
- Rocky reef
Key Species:
- Albatross
- Bamboo coral
- Blue whale
- California hydrocoral
- Dall’s porpoise
- Giant Pacific octopus
- Krill
- Rockfish
- Strawberry anemone
Sanctuary Highlight
Explore the Blue: 360°
Cordell Bank Adventure
Take a virtual dive on Cordell Bank without getting wet and explore this colorful environment through this immersive experience. Discover colorful corals and anemones, rockfish, jellies, ocean sunfish and more.
National Marine Sanctuary System
Safeguarding America's Premier Marine Places
From Washington state to the Gulf of America and from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Islands, the National Marine Sanctuary System protects 18 underwater parks spanning over 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. By investing in innovative solutions, we strengthen these iconic places to address 21st-century challenges while supporting America's commerce and tourism. These unique locations inspire people to visit, value, and steward our nation’s iconic ocean and Great Lakes waters.