MPA Day 2026
A simple, powerful idea: Ocean protection needs human connection.
Around the world, communities gathered once again to celebrate marine protected areas (MPAs), not as distant, abstract spaces, but as places woven into daily life through stories, art, movement, and shared learning.
From coastal walks to community workshops, panel discussions, beach cleanups, and creative showcases, over 113 events unfolded across 32 countries and regions.
Move4MPAs, our evolution of last year's Run4MPAs challenge, invited our community to move however felt right, in support of ocean protection.
The Creative Waves campaign invited artists to explore how the ocean shapes their work, adding new voices and new perspectives to the movement.
With 128 partners standing alongside us this year, and with our endorsement by the UN Ocean Decade, MPA Day 2026 reached further than ever before, reflecting the same truth that drives MPA Day forward: ocean protection works best when it belongs to everyone.
Sodwana Bay, South Africa | © Amanda van Jaarsveld
Kep Archipelago, Cambodia | © Marine Conservation Cambodia
Maputaland, Mozambique | © NATURA MOZAMBIQUE ASSOCIATION
Kleinemonde, South Africa | © Judy Mann-Lang
Pangatalan Island, Philippines | © Sulubaai Environmental Foundation
Malpelo Island, Colombia | © Shannon McIntyre Rake / Malpelo Foundation
Portugal | © AIMM
Kep Archipelago, Cambodia, | © Marine Conservation Cambodia
Eastern Cape, South Africa | © Di Martin
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa | © Claire Taylor
Farm Pond, USA | © Martha Shaw
Finland | Tuomo Tammenpää © KUBU Imagining Godzilla
False Bay, South Africa | © Two Oceans Aquarium
False Bay, South Africa | © Two Oceans Aquarium
Sodwana Bay, South Africa | © Amanda van Jaarsveld
False Bay, South Africa | © Two Oceans Aquarium
Raja Ampat, Indonesia | © Misool Foundation
Karlskrona Skärgårdsfest, Sweden | © Daniel Karlsson
Gansbaai, South Africa | © Dyer Island Trust and Cape Nature
Helderberg Marine Protected Aea, South Africa | © Helderberg Ocean Awareness Movement
Aliwal Shoal, South Africa | © Claire Taylor
False Bay, South Africa | © Sally Sivewright/Guardians of the Deep
Holy Cross School, Eastern Cape, South Africa | © Di Martin
Germany | S-Eisenbarth © Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde
False Bay, South Africa | © Two oceans Aquarium
Cape Town, South Africa | © Ocean Pledge
Byron Bay, Australia | © Dolphin Research Australia
Move 4 MPAs
Through our #Move4MPAs challenge on Strava and across social media, we encouraged our community to move their bodies however they could in a show of solidarity for the ocean.
We were blown away by how our community went the distance.
Together, over 485 participants logged 49 days, 23 hours, and 16 minutes' worth of activity, covering 7,160 kilometres in a shared show of solidarity!
Every stretch, stroke, and stride proved that when we move together, we can create waves of change.
Creative waves
Under the theme of “Ocean protection needs human connection,” we encouraged artists from all disciplines to share their ocean-inspired artwork with the world. We had wonderful contributions from artists around the world, acting as inspiration in the build-up to 1 August 2026.
A massive thank you to Rachel Brooks, Wendy Mitchell, Romain Barats, Hitomi Tsuchiya, Andrew Sullivan-Haskins, Viola Madau and Amy Tibbles for their contributions.
Thank you also to all the talented artists who shared their work with us by tagging @marineprotectedareasday, posting online, or submitting their creations through the portal.
In total, more than 55 artworks were submitted online.
Thank you!
Marine Protected Areas Day is built on the deep connection between people and the ocean.
Without the amazing people and organisations that dedicate their time to celebrating the ocean, this incredible show of solidarity would not be possible.
Our deepest gratitude goes out to each and every person who has taken the time to be a part of MPA Day’s biggest year yet.
We hope to see you in 2027!