Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Washington state, USA

Info. Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Washington state, USA

The sun is setting here on the west coast of Washington state’s rugged Olympic Peninsula, where more than 8,000 square kilometres of marine waters are protected as part of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. This area attracts more than three million visitors a year. Many come to see the 29 species of marine mammals that live in or migrate through this area, like humpback, grey and orca whales, plus seals, sea lions and sea otters. Salmon and halibut thrive here, as do seabirds that make their nests in the craggy rock walls, seagrass and treetops. At low tide, visitors explore tidepools full of life. This sanctuary is also home to Native Americans. The Makah, Quileute, Hoh and Quinault have been here for centuries, long before the first English sea captains saw the coast and gave it its current name.