Ramsar sites

The Ramsar sites are wetlands designated as of international importance. As of mid-2023, there are about 2500 designated sites with a total area over 250,000 hectares (620,000 acres). There are some on every continent except Antarctica; Europe has the most with over 1100 sites. See the official site list.

The Ramsar Convention is the international agreement covering conservation efforts on these sites. It was signed in the town of Ramsar, Iran in 1971. The actual conservation work is done by national, state/province or local governments; there is no international organization for it.

Some important wetland areas are on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list or are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves instead of or as well as being on the Ramsar list. For example, the marshes of southern Iraq are on the heritage list partly because they contain the ruins of several Sumerian cities.

Destinations

Africa

• 1 Lake Nakuru National Park, Southern Rift Valley, Kenya. Over 400 species of birds, many migratory. Also rhinos.  

Asia

East Asia

• 2 Mai Po Marshes, San Tin, Hong Kong. Wetland with inter-tidal mangroves and mudflat for migratory birds, local insects and mammals. (updated Jun 2023)

South Asia

Chilika Lake

East Calcutta Wetlands

Kerala Backwaters

Hirakud Reservoir

• 3 Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Odisha, India. A mangrove wetland covering an area of 650 km² (250 sq mi) in the Brahmani River and Baitarani River deltas. (updated Jun 2023)
• 4 Bhoj Wetland, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It consists of two lakes in Bhopal, Bhojtal and Lower Lake. Bhojtal was created during the time of King Bhoj, while Lower Lake was created during the Mughal Empire. (updated Jun 2023)
• 5 Chandra Taal (Tso Chigma), Himachal Pradesh, India. The origin of the Chandra River, a big and beautiful lake 7 km away from Kunzum Pass. (updated Jun 2023)
• 6 Chilika Lake, Odisha, India. Asia's largest salt-water lagoon and is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge. The pear-shaped lake spreads across 1,100 km² (420 sq mi) and has a unique ecosystem with a range of aquatic flora and fauna found in and around its brackish waters. An impressive array of bird life, both native and migrant, makes Chilika one of the best places in India for bird-watching, splashing around in the water and quiet relaxation. (updated Jun 2023)
• 7 Deepor Beel (Dipor Bil), Guwahati, Assam, India. A permanent freshwater lake. It is bounded by the steep highlands on the north and south, and the valley formed has a broad U-shape with the Rani and Garbhanga hills forming the backdrop. (updated Jun 2023)
• 8 East Calcutta Wetlands, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. A complex of natural and human-made wetlands. The wetlands are also used to treat Kolkata's sewage, and the nutrients contained in the wastewater sustain fish farms and agriculture. It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Its unpolluted environment offers a respite and soothes the visitors. (updated Jun 2023)
• 9 Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. A protected area consisting of 21 islets and adjacent coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar. The park includes marine components such as coral reefs, seaweed communities, sea grasses, and mangroves. Access inside the park is limited to glass-bottom boat rides. (updated Jun 2023)
• 10 Hirakud Reservoir, Sambalpur, Odisha, India. The reservoir forms an artificial lake with an area of 746 km² (288 sq mi) having a shoreline of over 640 km (400 mi). Cattle Island is near one end of Hirakud reservoir. It is near Kumarbandh village of Belpahar-Banharpali range and is about 90 km from Sambalpur town by road, but is 10 km by water launch from Hirakud dam. The island was a hillock before the construction of the Hirakud dam. During the resettlement period, villagers left some of their cows and bulls and when the dam construction was over the cattle settled down on the hilltop. With the passage of time, the nearby area was filled up with the reservoir water. Being away from mankind, the cattle are wild in nature. (updated Jun 2023)
• 11 Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. A bird sanctuary. This region is surrounded by open areas, paddy fields and scrub forests. (updated Jun 2023)
• 12 Kerala Backwaters, Kerala, India. A network of 1,500 km (930 mi) of canals, 38 rivers and 5 big lakes extending from one end of Kerala to the other. The Ramsar sites in the region are Ashtamudi Wetland and Vembanad-Kol Wetland. (updated Jun 2023)
• 13 Pallikaranai Wetland, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The only surviving wetland ecosystem of Chennai. The marsh contains several rare or endangered and threatened species and acts as a forage and breeding ground for thousands of migratory birds from various places within and outside the country. (updated Jun 2023)
• 14 Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Velankanni, Tamil Nadu, India. This sanctuary is an area of high biodiversity, with many unique species of animals and birds. Migratory birds arrive between October and March. (updated Jul 2015)
• 15 Runn of Kutch (Rann of Kutch), Gujarat, India and Sindh, Pakistan. One of the largest salt deserts in the world, which is divided into Great Runn and Little Runn. (updated Jun 2023)
• 16 Sundarbans, Khulna Division, Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. the world's largest mangrove forest on the coast of the Ganges Delta by the Bay of Bengal. The region is the main habitat of the Bengal tigers. The Bangladesh side is designated by the Ramsar Convention as Sundarbans Reserve Forest, while the Indian side is designated as Sundarban Wetland. (updated Jun 2023)
• 17 Thane Creek, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. One of the two creeks that separate Mumbai from the rest of India. It is known for various flamingo species, especially greater flamingoes and lesser flamingoes. Alongside the flamingoes, 167 species of birds and small mammals like golden jackals are also present. (updated Jun 2023)
• 18 Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India. The oldest water bird sanctuary in India. It was a favourite hunting spot of the local landlords in the early 18th century. The region attracted a variety of birds because it was dotted with small lakes that acted as feeding grounds for the birds. Vedanthangal is home to migratory birds such as pintail, garganey, grey wagtail, blue-winged teal, common sandpiper and the like. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from November to March. During this time, birds are seen busy building and maintaining their nests. (updated Jun 2023)

Southeast Asia

• 19 Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary. An area on the edge of a major Philippine urban area, Metro Cebu, that is partly mangrove swamp and has about 50 species each of migratory and resident birds. There are fine diving or snorkeling sites nearby, plus some beaches and resorts (mostly mid-range). 

Turkey

• 20 Akyatan Lagoon.  
• 21 Gediz Delta. One of Turkey's most extensive coastal wetlands shelters 10% of the world's flamingo population among 250+ other bird species.  
• 22 Göksu Delta. A system of interconnected lagoons where the Göksu River flows into the Mediterranean, the area is home to about 300 bird species and plenty of sealife.  
• 23 Kızılırmak Delta.  
• 24 Kızören Sinkhole.  
• 25 Lake Burdur.  
• 26 Lake Kuş (Lake Manyas). The lake's flooded riparian forests are a major stopover and destination for about 240 species of migratory birds.  
• 27 Lake Kuyucuk.  
• 28 Lake Meke.  
• 29 Lake Nemrut. A caldera lake atop Nemrut Volcano.  
• 30 Lake Seyfe.  
• 31 Lake Uluabat.  
• 32 Sultan Marshes.  
• 33 Yumurtalık Lagoon.  

North America

Guatemala

• 34 Lake Lachua, Laguna Lachuá National Park, Guatemala. Karst lake set in a protected rainforest. (updated Jul 2024)

Mexico

Poza at Cuatrociénegas

• 35 Cuatrociénegas (Protected Area of Plants and Animals Cuatrocienegas), Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila. Desert oasis in northern Mexico where cool freshwater springs feed pools called pozas. Several endemic fish and salamander species can be found only in the pools in this valley. There are also gypsum dunes nearby. (updated Jun 2023)

• 36 Huatulco (Basins and corals in the coastal zone of Huatulco), Huatulco, Oaxaca. Pacific coastal area with protected reefs, shoreline, and wetlands that are part of a national park. (updated Jun 2023)

• 37 Lago de Pátzcuaro (Wetlands of Lake Patzcuaro), Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan. Large inland lake with several inhabited islands and shallow marshes, several indigenous villages surround the lake. (updated Jun 2023)

• 38 El Mogote Wetlands, La Paz, Baja California Sur. Sandy peninsula forming the northern land mass of Bahia de la Paz. Sand dunes stretch across the narrow neck of the peninsula and mangrove swamps line its southern shores. (updated Jun 2023)

Brown boobies at Islas Marietas

• 39 Islas Marietas, Islas Marietas, Nayarit. Group of islands in the Bahia de Banderas near Puerto Vallarta. It is a national park as well as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar wetland. It provides habitat for a number of marine mammals and bird species and its reefs are popular scuba dive sites. (updated Jun 2023)

• 40 Lake Chapala, Chapala, Jalisco. Mexico's largest lake is home to a number of endemic and endangered fish, reptiles, and amphibians including the rough-footed mud turtle and four species of crayfish. The January 2011 Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count registered 173 species at Lake Chapala. (updated Jun 2023)

• 41 Lake Texcoco, Texcoco, Mexico City. What was once a large lake in the Mexico Central Valley has mostly disappeared, leaving only salty wetlands behind. This was one of the few places where axlotl could be found, but none are thought to remain here. (updated Jun 2023)

• 42 Laguna de Hanson (Hanson Lake, Laguna de Juarez), Constitution 1857 National Park, Baja California. Highland lake in the Sierra de Juarez mountains of Baja California, inside a national park. (updated Jun 2023)

• 43 Laguna de Metztitlán (Metztitlan Lake), Reserva de la Biosfera Barranca de Metztitlán, Hidalgo. Natural lake fed by the Metztitlan River at the bottom of a deep canyon in a remote mountainous area. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. (updated Jun 2023)

Grey whales breed in the Laguna Ojo de Liebre of the El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve

• 44 Ojo de Liebre Lagoon, El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve, Baja California Sur. Inlet along the Pacific coast that provides critical reproductive areas for the grey whale and other marine mammals. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (updated Jun 2023)

• 45 Bahia de Loreto (Bahia de Loreto National Park), Bahia de Loreto, Baja California Sur. Species-rich area with several islands and a haven for marine mammals. Protected as part of the Mexico national parks system. (updated Jun 2023)

• 46 Sumidero Canyon, Cañón del Sumidero, Chiapas. River in a deep gorge in southern Mexico. Protected as part of a national park. (updated Jun 2023)

Thousands of frigate birds nest on Isla Contoy

• 47 Isla Contoy, Isla Contoy, Quintana Roo. Caribbean island near Cancun, nesting area for a variety of marine birds including pelicans, osprey, and frigate birds. The island includes salt marshes and has nearby reefs. Protected as a national park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. (updated Jun 2023)

• 48 Isla Isabel, Isla Isabel National Park, Nayarit. Pacific island off the coast of Nayarit, nesting area for several marine bird species including pelicans, seagulls, boobies, and frigate birds. Sea turtles also nest on the beaches. Protected as part a national park. (updated Jun 2023)

• 49 Lagunas de Montebello (Montebello Lakes), Lagunas de Montebello National Park, Chiapas. Highland lakes in an array of natural colors, near the border with Guatemala. Protected as a national park. (updated Jun 2023)

Flamingos breed in both the Ría Celestún and the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserves

• 50 Reserva de la Biosfera Ría Celestún, Celestún, Yucatán. Coastal wetlands with mangrove swamps and lagoons. Nesting area for pink flamingo, sea turtles, and several other species. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. (updated Jun 2023)

• 51 Sian Ka'an, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Quintana Roo. Caribbean coastal wetlands with salt grass marshes amid tropical rain forests, pristine beaches and a stretch of the Great Mesoamerican Reef. Home to more than 400 bird species, 100 mammal species, and 400 fish and mollusk species. The swamps and marshes are home to 2 species of crocodile and more than 40 kinds of snake. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. (updated Jun 2023)

Oceania

Australia

Australian Capital Territory

• 52 Ginini Flats Wetlands Ramsar Site, Namadgi National Park. The only Ramsar site in the Australian Capital Territory's only national park. It's one of the few sites with an elevation of over 1500 metres, protecting rare and endemic amphibians and mammals. (updated Jul 2023)

New South Wales

Blue Lake

• 53 Blue Lake, Main Range Track, Kosciuszko National Park. Mainland Australia's best-preserved glacial lake might be the most unexpected of all Ramsar sites. However, it protects a wide variety of herbfield, heaths, bogs and fens; much of it can be seen on a short walk – see Mount Kosciuszko summit trails. (updated Jul 2023)
• 54 Caryapundy Swamp, Narriearra Caryapundy Swamp National Park, Far West (New South Wales). One of the Australia's newer Ramsar sites having only been designated as one in December 2021. It's home to a good range of lush desert vegetation, particularly low shrubs. (updated Jul 2023)
• 55 Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands, near Leeton, Riverina. This wetland supports significant numbers of the endangered Australasian bittern and over 1% of the world populations of glossy ibis and sharp-tailed sandpiper. (updated Jul 2023)