Gulf Coast communities and natural resources suffered extensive direct and indirect damage as a result of the largest accidental oil spill in US history, referred to as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Natural resources affected by this major spill include wetlands, coastal beaches and barrier islands, coastal and marine wildlife, seagrass beds, oyster reefs, commercial fisheries, deep benthos, and coral reefs, among other habitats and species. This report identifies best practices for monitoring and evaluating restoration activities in the Gulf of Mexico to improve the performance of restoration programs and increase the effectiveness and longevity of restoration projects.