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Welcome to Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge

Only 3 feet in elevation and one of the most pristine coral reef atoll ecosystems in the Pacific, Kingman Reef lies 932 miles southwest of Hawai‘i. Crystal clear oceanic waters and vibrant coral reefs support a spectacular diversity of corals, algae, fishes, marine mammals, sea turtles and migratory seabirds. Although no permanent land is found here, two small 2- and 1-acre emergent coral rubble spits less than 5 feet above sea level occur on the northeastern and southeastern sides of the reef. In addition to the 3 acres of emergent reef, Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge includes 483,754 acres of submerged reefs and associated waters, out to its 12 nautical mile boundary.

Sea anemone - Photo credit James Maragos/USFWS

The first recorded western contact at Kingman Reef was by an American seaman, Captain Fanning, in 1798. The reef was named after Captain Kingman, who visited in 1853. The United States annexed the reef in 1922 and in 1934 delegated jurisdiction to the Navy. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for Pan American Flying Clippers on Hawai‘i to American Samoa flights during the 1930s.

On September 1, 2000, the Department of the Interior accepted restoration of its administrative jurisdiction over Kingman Reef from the Department of the Navy; Secretary’s Order 3223 signed January 18, 2001, established Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge.

On January 6, 2009, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established, which includes Kingman Reef National Wildlife Refuge within its boundaries.  For more information, please visit the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument website.

For more information:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Pacific/Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
Room 5-231, Box 50167
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96850
(808) 792-9550
(808) 792-9586 fax

Entry to the refuge is by Special Use Permit only.