| Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
  Location in the U.S. Virgin Islands  Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (Caribbean) | |
| Location | Virgin Islands, United States |
| Nearest city | St John, VI |
| Coordinates | 18°18′22″N 64°43′37″W / 18.30611°N 64.72694°W |
| Area | 12,708 acres (51.43 km2)[1] |
| Authorized | January 17, 2001 |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument |
The Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located off Saint John, Virgin Islands.
The clear waters surrounding Saint John support a diverse and complex system of coral reefs. The health of these reefs is closely tied to its component plants and animals as well as adjacent non-coral marine environments such as sandy bottoms, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests.
Seeking to provide greater protection to the sensitive coral reef resources, President Clinton established the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument on January 17, 2001. The monument includes 12,708 acres (51 km2) of federal submerged lands within the 3 mile (5 km) belt off Saint John, including Hurricane Hole and areas north and south of Saint John.
- ^ "Listing of acreage – December 31, 2011" (XLSX). Land Resource Division, National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-05-14. (National Park Service Acreage Reports)