The presence of alkylphenols (APs) in coastal and marine ecosystems is not as well-documented as it is in freshwater ecosystems. This paper reviews reported concentrations of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) and APs in seawater, sediments and organisms of marine environments such as estuaries, coastal lagoons, bights, harbours or deep sea in order to study their distribution. Overall contamination of marine aquatic compartments by APs and APEOs has been observed, while coastal areas in the vicinity of wastewater discharges are more impacted than deep sea environments, but to a lesser extent than freshwater sites. Sediments act as sinks for APs and APEOs, especially around wastewater discharge sites. Reported AP concentrations in marine organisms are higher in bivalves and gastropods than in fishes. As nonylphenols and octylphenols are estrogenomimetic, biological responses induced in marine organisms are discussed. Finally, we describe the cell bioassay approach for the biodetection of APs.