Francisco Coloane Marine and Coastal Protected Area

Francisco Coloane Marine and Coastal Protected Area
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
LocationMagallanes Region,  Chile
Coordinates53°50′00″S 71°48′00″W / 53.8333°S 71.8000°W / -53.8333; -71.8000
Area653.27 km2 (252.23 sq mi)
DesignationMarine and coastal protected area
Designated2004
Governing bodyComisión Regional de Area Marine Costera Protegida (CRAMCP) and Servicio Nacional de Pesca (SERNAPESCA)

Francisco Coloane Marine and Coastal Protected Area (Spanish: Parque Marino Francisco Coloane) is a protected area in southern Chile's Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region.

It is Chile's first marine park. It's located in the Punta Arenas province in the Magallanes Region of the Chilean Antarctic. It is south of the island Isla Carlos III, and between the islands of Santa Inés, Riesco, and the New Brunswick peninsula.

It's name pays homage to Francisco Coloane, a chilean writer who's works took place in the area.

The protected area has great biodiversity in part due to the border between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, its strong winds, the presence of massive glaciers, and the extensive coastline.