The integrity of littoral ecosystems is seriously threatened by the sustained and evergrowing exploitation of coastal resources by humankind, the introduction of non indigenous species, and the ongoing climate change. The concurrent exploitation and preservation of coastal ecosystems is a major challenge, which can only be effectively addressed using synoptic tools and approaches for detailed mapping and monitoring of subtidal communities. One of the most promising technologies to this end is the use of airborne hyperspectral remote sensing technologies that feature both high spectral and spatial resolutions. This paper provides an overview of the technical aspects and operational approaches to map the extent of shallow, marine, coastal habitats over large scales using the compact airborne spectrographic imager (casi). The applicability of this approach is demonstrated through a review of recent subtidal mapping projects conducted by Hyperspectral Data International in tropical and temperate zones