# The most important naval battles in history

From Salamis in 480 BC to Leyte Gulf in 1944, by way of Lepanto and Trafalgar: the sea battles that changed the course of empires and wars. Which one was the most decisive?

- 53 votes · 13 items
- Apr 8, 2024 · H. King
- https://even.best/en/l/2800/the-most-important-naval-battles-in-history

## Top 13

1. **Battle of Midway (1942)** (5 · ▲5 ▼0) — The turning point of the Pacific War.
2. **Battle of Salamis (480 BC)** (4 · ▲5 ▼1) — The Greeks destroyed Xerxes' Persian fleet.
3. **Battle of Actium (31 BC)** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Octavian beat Mark Antony and Cleopatra.
4. **Battle of the Nile (1798)** (4 · ▲4 ▼0) — Nelson destroyed the French fleet in Egypt.
5. **Battle of Cape Ecnomus (256 BC)** (3 · ▲4 ▼1) — Rome against Carthage in one of the largest naval battles of antiquity.
6. **The Spanish Armada (1588)** (3 · ▲4 ▼1) — England resisted and storms finished off the Spanish fleet.
7. **Battle of Trafalgar (1805)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — Nelson's victory over France and Spain off Cádiz.
8. **Battle of the Coral Sea (1942)** (3 · ▲3 ▼0) — The first battle fought between aircraft carriers.
9. **Battle of Yamen (1279)** (2 · ▲3 ▼1) — The Yuan fleet ended the Song dynasty.
10. **Battle of Lepanto (1571)** (2 · ▲3 ▼1) — The Holy League against the Ottoman Empire.
11. **Battle of Tsushima (1905)** (2 · ▲3 ▼1) — Japan crushed the Russian fleet.
12. **Battle of Jutland (1916)** (2 · ▲3 ▼1) — The great clash of battleships in World War I.
13. **Battle of Leyte Gulf (1944)** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Perhaps the largest naval battle in history.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.