Marine aerosols are among the most important natural aerosols globally, playing key roles in the Earth’s radiation balance and climate change. They are a critical link between the ocean, atmosphere, and climate. Organic matter constitute a significant fraction of marine aerosols and can contribute up to 50% of submicron aerosol mass. Missing knowledge of the composition and formation of Marine Organic Aerosols (MOA) hinders the accurate evaluation of their climatic effects. This paper reviews research methods, spatial and temporal distribution patterns, chemical composition characteristics, and sources of MOA, providing a comprehensive summary of the domestic and international progress in marine organic aerosols, and proposes key research directions for future studies. Current research on the chemical nature was mainly focused on the fluorescent or water-soluble components, whereas the characterization or quantification of MOA molecular components remains largely unknown. Marine organic aerosols are generally abundant in regions with high phytoplankton activity or those under strong influence from transported continental pollutants. Their sources include sea-spray emissions or secondary formation processes across different sea areas, resulting in distinct MOA compositions and chemical properties. Currently, the limited of observational data limits our deep understanding of MOA formation and further investigation via laboratory experiments or modelling simulations. In the future, integrating observational, experimental, and modeling simulations should be combined to improve our understanding of the sources, sinks, and climate regulations of marine organic aerosols.